Michael, my thoughts on Shadow boxes that I am familiar with is that they are usually made from about 3/8" wood, which require the baby lock mitre cutter. So far as I'm aware, there are three sizes of cutters each suitable for the following wood thicknesses:
12 to 16mm 14 to 19mm 19 to 28mm
In the USA these sizes may be slightly different. To set up the cutter I place a piece of wood the thickness to be used in front of the cutter with the fence out of the way and eye along the table and adjust the cutter height so that there is an equal amount of 45deg. showing above and below the centre cutter, I then adjust the fence, again eyeing along the table so that the top edge of the 45deg. is in line with the corner of the wood. A few test cuts are now required, adjusting the fence/and /or cutter a fraction at a time until perfect. Once it is correct, cut and keep a sample, so that next time you use that same thickness of wood, setting up will be but a few moments work.
I'm sure that you are aware that one piece is cut vertically and the other horizontally except of course when joining boards side by side. The lock mitre really is a beautiful and strong joint.
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Harry |