A Better Joint for Beaded Casings
Jack miters are part butt joint and part miter, and they can be cut by hand or production-style with a router and shop-made jig.
The first time I saw a jack miter was in Roe Osborne’s bathroom. Roe was my editor at the time and I was on my first trip east to visit the crew atFine Homebuilding. What I noticed was that the corners of the beaded casing on the doors and windows weren’t mitered. At least they weren’t mitered in any fashion I’d ever seen. I soon learned that the joint was a jack miter: The quirk-and-bead profile is cut at 45˚ to create a miter with the mating piece, but the flat of the casing is cut square, to make a butt joint. This way of joining casing is definitely more involved, but it’s also more likely not to open up as the wood moves. And though you can cut them by hand, you can also use a router and jig to speed things up.
切ck out this video and my article, “Two Ways to Cut Jack Miters,” inFHB#277to learn how to do it both ways.
View Comments
Ok, I like the videos, but, I don't really appreciate the fact the video starts without me clicking start. Tends to draw attention when I'm in the office and looking at this site.
I think there might be something wrong with the video or the edit or the upload? It ends at 8:07 but I'm pretty sure there's a LOT more. :) garykatz1
why is gary commenting on his own video when he direct access to the webmaster of fine homebuilding? thats weird. lates
this may be among the best videos ever posted. I like the host, I like the subject (I am actually making a book case with the exact bead he is explaining) and I like the process he goes through...very, very helpful.....Katz is a good teacher.....
Awesome video and great teaching!