Ellen Kaspern, furniture maker and instructor at North Bennet Street School, says thatmiters used to be her least favorite joint to make. While appearing very simple, miters can be extremely finicky. Ellen shows her method for cutting accurate miters, highlighting the importance of setup, blade alignment, and careful measuring. She emphasizes the small adjustments that can make the difference between a gap-free joint and one that doesn’t quite come together.

The gluing process can be tricky as well, but Ellen offers practical tips for ensuring a secure bond without excess squeeze-out or misalignment. She demonstrates different clamping strategies to keep the miters tight and square while the glue cures. Ellen breaks it down into manageable steps, showing that proper preparation and patience can create repeatable and accurate results.

Splines are well known for adding reinforcement to miter joints. Ellen explains how splines not only add strength but can also become an elegant design feature, enhancing the visual interest of corners while adding more glue surface. A designated jig and thoughtful cutting methods make for a repeatable method for adding splines.

Among the many great presentations at Fine Woodworking New England, this one was a solid example of good woodworking education. Ellen’s approachable teaching style makes complex techniques feel accessible, and her emphasis on craftsmanship reflects the tradition of excellence at the North Bennet Street School.