The Brew Cabin

I have a few mitre joints I need to cut but I am looking for some hints on bext way to mark out the angle for cutting. Do you use a specific tool for this ?

Sorry for the delayed response, but I've been away and I'm desperately trying to catch up with everything.

There's no specific tool used for marking mitres, although I have seen a 'gadget' that removed the best part of 30 quid from your wallet and proceeds to over-complicate the process. The basic principle involved in creating a mitred joint, whether it's for blocks, flags kerbs or owt else, is covered on a page I completed while on the ferry back to Holyhead in the wee small hours of Friday morning. I've just managed to upload it and you can read the result here.

If that doesn't answer your query, post back here. :)

Hello Tony,

Thankyou very much for your detailed explanation of Mitred Joint preparation/marking. Luckily most of my corners will be 90 degree corners requiring 45 degree cuts. Which you have shown clearily also. I may have some trickiery corners at other angles. You explanation covers everything I need to know. Thanks again for your reply and your website is amazing it covers so much in detail and is very well presented and laid out, whcih is a pleasure to view.
One final question on cutting the blocks, I am going to use a 9inch angle grinder for block cuts. I know you recommend block cutter or professional block cutting saw. But for my home DIY task is a 9 inch angle grinder suitable with care?

Kind Regards,
Moray Macdonald

Your Nangle Grinder will be fine - there's no point in hiring-in a block splitter or a cut-off saw if you already have a piece of kit that is more than capable of doing the job.

Ideally, it would have a diamond blade fitted, but if your budget doesn't run to one, then make sure you use a stone cutting blade - and remember that, when it comes to saw blades, you generally get what you pay for, so the 'budget' blades are not as good a deal as they'd have you believe.

If you are cutting with a Nangle Grinder (or a cut-off saw), then a length of angle iron is a great yoke for ensuring the blade is perfectly aligned during the cut.

Good luck!