Adding solid-wood keys to mitered picture frames or mitered boxes not only makes
the joint stronger, but it also adds interest. Typically, I use only one key per joint when
making a picture frame. When making a box, I’ll add several keys to each joint.
A key miter is made in three steps. First, the frame or box is glued up. Then a slot is
cut in the miter joint. After that, the key is made and glued into the slot. Once the glue
dries, the key is trimmed flush.
No matter how many key miters I add to a joint, the sled shown here always makes
it easier to cut the slots. In use, it slides front to back while
bearing against the fence of a tablesaw or router
table. The location of the slot is set by
moving the fence toward or away from
the blade or router bit.
The sled is made of plywood or
medium-density fiberboard (MDF). It
consists of a V-shaped trough made up
of two sides—one wide, one narrow—
that meet at 90°. The ends of the trough
extend to runners, where a pair of cleats,
some wood glue, and a few wood screws
join everything together. When connected to
the runners, the sides of the trough intersect
the saw or router table at 45°.
To cut a slot, the work is nestled into the trough and butted against the inside run-
ner. As a result, I can hold the frame (or box) securely in place (keeping my fingers
away from the path of the sawblade) as the work is passed over the blade or bit.
— G a r y roGow s k i , contributing editor to Fine WoodworkingMitered
picture
frameMiter jointSled for cutting
key-miter slots
Solid-wood key,
trimmed flush
after glue has setSlotNarrow
side
90° Wide
sideCleat
Fence
RunnerSs
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