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Lock Miter Joints for Face Frame Cabinets
Question
Forum Responses
From contributor S: From my little experience with lock miters, they are very difficult to set up and get exact results. Yes, one side lays flat on table and the other side lays on edge and rides against fence. I have not seen this done like you explain, so here is what I could possibly see happening. Easing the edges after assembly could possibly expose plywood which would have to be dealt with. If pre-assembling face frames, they would have to be dead on and my usual method involves a slight overhang which I later flush trim or sand. And last, I don't believe you could staple it from inside (which I don't do anyway) or use pocket screws with there not being enough material so you'd have to either face nail or use clamps. Other than that, it does sound interesting and I may try it out just to see the look it will give. The next assembly I'm going to try is a rabbeted face frame and panel.
From contributor C: I love the results. We do it a lot. We use the Freeborn cutter, the one that finishes on the table saw with a groover, for the reference dado. Easier setup for sure. Especially with differing thicknesses. Can't beat it, if you keep it set up. From contributor Y: I have a SCMI dedicated shaper with a Freeborn lock miter set up. It looks so much nicer than a simple butt joint. Also, making newel post is a breeze using this method. Setup is simple - just index everything off of center of the cutter and adjust your fence in or out - 5 minutes max setup time. From contributor K: We almost always miter our finished ends to face frames, but with a plain miter; attach face frame to cabinet, hinge end to frame with packing tape, glue with yellow glue, fold and clamp. From contributor A: We've got the lock miter shaper cutter, but for cabinet sides we typically follow contributor K's method. The high quality clear packing tape makes for really good miter joints. Do not waste time with biscuits. Would you like to add information to this article? Interested in writing or submitting an article? Have a question about this article? Have you reviewed the related Knowledge Base areas below? 
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