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What tool is a miter?
For it's 100yr anniversary the Boy Scouts of America have brought back four of the old discontinued Merit Badges. One of these is Carpentry. The requirements are;
Requirements for the Carpentry merit badge:
- Demonstrate the use of the rule, square, level, plumb-line, miter, chalk-line and bevel.
- Demonstrate the proper way to drive, set, and clinch a nail, draw a spike with a claw-hammer, and to join two pieces of wood with screws.
- Show correct use of the cross-cut saw and of the rip-saw.
- Show how to plane the edge, end and the broad surface of a board.
- Demonstrate how to lay shingles.
- Make a simple article of furniture for practical use in the home or on the home grounds, finished in a workmanlike manner, all work to be done without assistance.
My question is, what is the miter spoken of in the first requirement? Based on the rest of that requirement we can be sure it is a tool rather than a joint. Keep in mind these requirements were written in 1911.
If someone can come up with a picture of one it would be most helpful.
Rich
The Professional Termite
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Rich I seem to recall (post #148846, reply #1 of 22)
Rich
I seem to recall something called a mitre gague or mitre also known as a sliding bevel but I also see a bevel in your list, so I'm not sure. Different names in different times in different countries.
wot
If I had to associate a tool (post #148846, reply #2 of 22)
If I had to associate a tool with miter, I would use a speedsquare:
http://toolguyd.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Swanson-Speedlite-Speed-Square.jpg
Since they are talking about carpentry and not furniture construction, I'd use a tool that is commonly used for rough carpentry.
Hope this helps,
Justin
rich, "demonstrate the use (post #148846, reply #3 of 22)
rich,
"demonstrate the use of..."
this suggests an ability to cut other than perpendicular angles. it is a skill rather than the tool used to accomplish a task.
from what are you quoting? is your source the original boy scout manual?
eef
Most likely they are refering (post #148846, reply #4 of 22)
Most likely they are refering to a miter box, the simple wood type. They were standard issue with entry level tool sets.
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
trial, My guess is that it (post #148846, reply #5 of 22)
trial,
My guess is that it refers to a miter square or set square, like a try-square, but set (fixed) at 45 degrees.
Simple wooden miter boxes were typically made by the carpenter, not purchased. An old timer told me that he once had to make a miter box on the job site to show the foreman he was a skilled carpenter, before the foreman would hire him.
Good on ya for working with the scouts.
Ray
ray, the los angeles (post #148846, reply #8 of 22)
ray,
the los angeles unified school district's carpenter exam includes that miter box making. also, they want one to set up old fashioned slick knives at the shaper and other archaic ways of doing things.
eef
I'm also guessing they meant (post #148846, reply #6 of 22)
I'm also guessing they meant a miter (un)square, set permanently at 45°, since that was a common tool at the time, while "bevel" likely refers to the adjustable bevel guage.
A clever scout might also demonstrate the use of the other tools while wearing one of those funny caps usuall worn at graduations. ;-)
I agree with Ralph and Ray, (post #148846, reply #7 of 22)
I agree with Ralph and Ray, Rich.
Pretty cool: I copied this picture off a website and pasted it here!
EDIT: Scratch that... it looks fine in the typing box, but when I hit post, it's not there!
Chris @ www.flairwoodworks.com
and http://flairwoodworks.wordpress.com
- Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer
Wot, What you show would (post #148846, reply #9 of 22)
Wot, What you show would have been called a T-bevel, sliding bevel or bevel square and is mentioned in the requirement.
GoYou, I don't believe they had speedsquares in 1911 but the 45° side would I think be on the right track.
Eef, Demonstrate the use of would mean to show how to use the tool rather than the task. Merit badge requirements are fairly consistant in how they are worded and have been since the beginning. The requirements I listed are from the 1911 book. They were the same throughout the life of this badge from 1911 to 1952.
Hammer, It possibly could be referring to a box, homebuilt or manufactured, but I think it is more likely a simple layout tool like the others listed in the requirement.
Ray, Ralph & Flair, A 45° try square is what I thought of first and makes the most sense. I would be in the same class of layout tools with the rest mentioned. That is still my inclination unless someone comes up with something to prove otherwise. I tossed this out here this morning as much as anything to confirm this thought. I was hoping one of the old timers with a good memory (leaves me out) would chime in with first hand experience or an old publication showing one labeled as such. I have not searched my old merit badge books to see if I have one for carpentry but that is my next step on this. If I have one, or can find one, it very well may have a picture or drawing in it of all these tools.
I think it is cool that they brought four of these old original merit badges back for just this year to celebrate the 100th Anniversary. I also think it is cool that I have been chosen to teach two of them. This will mark my 50th yr with Scouting.
Thanks for all the input everyone.
Rich
The Professional Termite
Try square for sure (post #148846, reply #10 of 22)
Rich,
Demonstrate the use of the tool is always the easy part of the merit badge. I also vote the 45 degree square as a fundamental element to do door and window trims, let alone framing your new award!
I would assume that you shake hands with your left hand as well...
Dad was a Silver Beaver, my sons were Eagle and Life. Measure you life by the miles hiked and the days spent on the ground.
AZMO Left hand with locked (post #148846, reply #12 of 22)
AZMO
Left hand with locked pinky. I am an Eagle Scout, Woodbadger and received my Silver Beaver in 1992. Presently serving as a unit commisioner and on the International Scouting Committee as well as troop committee member in a nearby town where I used to be Scoutmaster. Keeps me busy and is so enjoyable to see these young men develop skills that last a lifetime.
Don't get me going here to much, I may never stop.
Rich
The Professional Termite
Thought so... (post #148846, reply #14 of 22)
I am an Eagle as well, and served as a Cub scout master for 4 years and assistant Scout master for 7 more. Great program for getting kids on the ground. I still go out with the troup for a couple of camps each year. Watching urban kids learn to camp and hike is enjoyable indeed. Nice to know your involvement, International sounds interesting!
Morgan
No doubt about it, and no (post #148846, reply #11 of 22)
No doubt about it, and no debate, a 'miter' is what's also known as a mitre square, like the one that should show in this link: http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://images.toolbank.com/images/full/FAIMS10.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.toolbank.com/p/FAIMS10&usg=__4Mnpqs4dpfOWdsoNkFm3Hwz-6PM=&h=270&w=360&sz=28&hl=en&start=11&itbs=1&tbnid=EwM_CPZUwpkZxM:&tbnh=91&tbnw=121&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dmitre%2Bsquare%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DG%26gbv%3D2%26tbs%3Disch:1
There are all steel Japanese versions out there too, and nowadays many people use the rather less accurate mitre function of the common or garden combination square. Slainte.
richardjonesfurniture.com
Thank you Richard, it's now (post #148846, reply #13 of 22)
Thank you Richard, it's now official. Now I just need to hide my combination squares, speed square and protractor head and find one of these puppies at a local antique store. It will be interesting to see what some of them choose as a project.
Rich
The Professional Termite
The good news is that the BSA (post #148846, reply #15 of 22)
The good news is that the BSA has even taken woodworking to the Cub Scout level also. I just finished up going through woodworking tools with my grandsons. But there was no extra credit for the number of handtools I showed them.
Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!
Bruce S.
"But there was no extra (post #148846, reply #16 of 22)
"But there was no extra credit for the number of handtools I showed them."
That seems unfair, but potentially instructional in terms of "life lessons". At least they are now squared away, so to speak.
The saw is miter than the sword. ;-)
The boys definately have an (post #148846, reply #17 of 22)
The boys definately have an advantage over their fellow scouts! A Grandfather with modern and antique tools
Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!
Bruce S.
it's really staight forward... (post #148846, reply #18 of 22)
There are only 6 points in this requirement, mitre is the 5th listing of the first point,
Ain't no big deal.
You well likely know that a mitre is a fundamental joint....and 95% of all try-squares have a mitre bevel on em.
The curious thing is there's no mention of sandpaper.....
frig, they're talkin 1911 standards.....might make ya wanna delve into "old-tools"
Eric in Calgary
Rich: If you go to (post #148846, reply #19 of 22)
Rich:
If you go to http://usscouts.org/mb/mb139.asp you can download a PDF of the original merit badge book (published 1928). It describes the mitre-square as "fixed at an angle of 45 degrees"
Aloha
Troy
If it is a tool, you may be (post #148846, reply #20 of 22)
If it is a tool, you may be able to find it here: http://freepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~wakefield/history/27238-h/27238-h.htm
dmd
Reply to bruceS (post #148846, reply #21 of 22)
You note that "BSA has even taken woodworking to the Cub Scout level " But in a way the Cubs have been doing woodworking in the Pinewood Derby for at least 35 years that I know about and probably longer. My 40 plus year old son and I built his first car when he was 8, I think, and it was all I could do to keep my hands off it during construction. I had always had a shop for home repairs and small projects but had forgotten how enjoyable working wood could be. Because of the fun I had with my son working on his first car I started to build more and get more tools and never stopped. The shop got bigger, 1000 sq ft, and better, dust collection and benches and tools, and at 70 I am still going strong. My son made Eagle and is thinking of coming down to DC for the 100th anniversary to march in the Washington parade. My wife stayed in Scouting to this day with a Silver Beaver, Cub and Scout Woodbadge, and more knots on her shoulder than I can count. They both outrank me... I think I only got to Life Scout.
We sure enjoyed the comments from the other woodworking Scouters out there.
Reply to bruceS (post #148846, reply #22 of 22)
You note that "BSA has even taken woodworking to the Cub Scout level " But in a way the Cubs have been doing woodworking in the Pinewood Derby for at least 35 years that I know about and probably longer. My 40 plus year old son and I built his first car when he was 8, I think, and it was all I could do to keep my hands off it during construction. I had always had a shop for home repairs and small projects but had forgotten how enjoyable working wood could be. Because of the fun I had with my son working on his first car I started to build more and get more tools and never stopped. The shop got bigger, 1000 sq ft, and better, dust collection and benches and tools, and at 70 I am still going strong. My son made Eagle and is thinking of coming down to DC for the 100th anniversary to march in the Washington parade. My wife stayed in Scouting to this day with a Silver Beaver, Cub and Scout Woodbadge, and more knots on her shoulder than I can count. They both outrank me... I think I only got to Life Scout.
We sure enjoyed the comments from the other woodworking Scouters out there.
Now I know why I see so many double comments... you push post and nothing happens. Ten seconds later you push post again and your comment comes up twice.