in pursuit of a perfect miter

[New Albany Framer]

I am an amateur framer, and I am having trouble cutting a good tight miter. Invariably the joints tend to flair out a little at the edges. I have a Ryobi miter saw. I purchased a logan hand sander, and it does not seem to help much. I also purchase a miter trimmer, and it has made the problem worse. I am thinking of getting a morso chopper, but I have heard a lot of different opinions on the merits of this machine. I have found one on the internet for $800, and I have been told that this is a real bargain. I would appreciate any opinions on this subject.

 

[Jay H]

First you need to consider buying from Masters Frame Shop Supply in New Albany. They are an A-1 bunch to work with. AFTER you buy from them, ask them any question you desire. If Lois doesn’t know the answer she will refer you to their framer. They are more than helpful and will even show you, their customer, how they do things and they've been around a long time!

Second, I think 80% of the miter is determined by the chop. Only 20% has to do with the joining method and moulding quality on most profiles. Nothing will make your joins more consistent than improving your chopping method. Dad bought a Morso when I was about 5 and I still use it today for most profiles. It doesn't chop everything but almost! Set it up right, keep the blades sharp, and I'll bet you will just about eliminate any joining problems you are having. It’s certainly much more accurate than your current miter saw.

Finally I want to commend you for wanting to master this aspect of the trade. In this day where every supplier is offering chops and joins, many have become completely dependent on their suppliers. Rarely a week goes by where there isn't at least one thread grumbling about the quality of chops, packing of chops, matching of chop rails, size of the chops and on and on and on. Much of the time it’s the truck driver or sales rep operating these saws. It's of no surprise to me that there is this much trouble with chops. Furthermore, I can't think of any possible way to order moulding less efficiently. Just to think, most of this could be avoided with what – an $800 machine? You’re on the right track!!!!

Carry on.

 

[Jim Miller]

Morso choppers make excellent miters. If you have heard otherwise, perhaps the comment came from someone who did not know how to use or maintain the machine properly. For example, keeping the knives sharp is essential.

If using a good miter trimmer or sander did not make much difference in the quality of your joined miters, then maybe the problem is in your joining method. If you do not have an underpinner, then you should be using good quality miter vices and carefully nailing or pinning each corner. In any case, glue is also essential to good joining.

 

[stud d]

I tend to agree with Jay and Jim. I think the chopper is good for mosr profiles and most wood. I would say in the neighborhood of 70% of wood will go fine with a chopper. Now if you will be using the bottom of the barrel, cheap stuff (wood) then we need to talk. Many of the cheaper woods don't do so great when it comes to consistancy of the wood it self. The finishes maybe fine, but the wood inside is another story. So if you are going for decent quality stuff you will be fine with a chopper. If you are looking to buy moulding a $.25 a ft. then you might wan to consider a saw.

Jim is right if you are not getting an underpinner then get the heavy duty Stanley or compatible miter vise. Then you can drill a hole and nail, then putty the corners. Dont waste your time on Pony clamps or something cheap like that, you will waste your time.

As for Logan equipment...some framers use thier high end mat cutters and love them. Thier cutting, joining and sanding items leave much to be desired. You might want to put them on Ebay and use that money you get back on the chopper.


PL

 

[Val]

I learned on a Morso 25 years ago, and have never used anything else, so I can't comment on anything else, except to say that I love my chopper! Two sets of blades, one set sharpened as soon as they come off, ready to go when the other set needs sharpening. And keeping the entire machine clean and "lubed".....perfect miters for most profiles.

Very wide or swan-back profiles I just order chopped, but I recently inherited a large miter saw and will be learning how to use it soon, so I won't have to order chops much at all..