Stanley Plastic Tool Boxes

Review by Gary Peterson : Worth the Cost.

Many years ago I had need for a mitre box and I purchased a cheap plastic model turned out by Stanley. It wasn't very good, but I was just an occasional user, not a woodworker, and the crude device sufficed in a crude way. Lately, I had need to cut some trimming for our front door and I decided to get a newer, better model. A search at my local hardware store found this Stanley Clamping Mitre Box. It was plastic, just like my old one, and it was cheap. I suppose most craftsmen would consider it a piece of junk not worthy of being in a tool collection. However, I'm not a craftsman and don't have a refined tool collection: I just needed a way of cutting a few 45 degree corners on rare occasion. The Stanley Clamping Mitre Box works fine, much better than the old model. I like the clamps as they aid in making a much more precise cut. I also like the little edge on the one bottom side as it makes the device much easier to use on a table surface. Also, it's easy to fasten it to the table, if you like. This model is a tremendous improvement over the old one. It's not a refined precision tool, but it works very well for my limited needs. It's well worth the cost. Gary Peterson

Review by Jolene Pirrone : Works well - not durable

This works very well for the occasional project. We used it for a woodworking project for 7 kids and it's already becoming inaccurate due to wear. Works OK for the price I paid and I will concede that the kids had something to due with its impending demise.

Review by Dwight : $14.91 for diy crown molding

The cheerful yellow plastic reminds me of my crayon box.

Review by LL : a bit flimsy

The upright plastic guards are fairly flimsy and move back and forth enough to pinch the saw if you're not careful. Use a sharp pull saw and don't expect super high tolerances and you'll be happy with it.

Review by Scott Burright : 5-star box, 3-star saw-- use it with a Shark saw

This is a very handy mitre box for doing straight cuts in general carpentry and woodworking, although I don't know if it is accurate and precise enough for certain finish carpentry tasks, picture frames, and other jobs requiring angled cuts. The cam pins hold the workpiece securely, freeing your off hand for holding the box to the bench while you saw. The box is designed as a bench hook, so there is no need to clamp it down. Just hold it with one hand and saw with the other. The included saw is typical hardware store fare. In anything but thin stock, it cuts too slow. It is probably OK for thin molding, but for anything bigger, I would suggest using this box with the Shark 10" mitre box saw (shown at the top of this page, at the time of this writing), or even the 12" or 15" Shark general carpentry saw, which is what I use. These Japanese-style pull-saws do not have much set to the teeth, and so they fit easily into the slots. Whichever saw you use, you will get a straighter cut if you use your off-hand thumb to pin the saw to the side of the slot while you cut. Otherwise, the slot provides room for the saw to wobble. Some reviewers have pointed out that the box is plastic. Although I have to admit that this is true, I don't see what difference it makes. It works great, and it doesn't warp like the wooden ones, and you certainly wouldn't want a metal one. If it is flexing around on you while you saw, then you are trying way too hard. Relax. It is just a saw guide, not a tackling dummy. It does a fine job of holding the stuff while you saw it.

Review by Ray Davies "Ray" : very good for small projects

I bought this mitre box for use in installing exterior trim on two doors and 6 windows. It works much better than a piece of crap I bought at Home Depot a couple years ago, and I'm glad I gave it a chance. I would feel confident using it on my whole house for various projects involving trim,casing,baseboards,etc... it probably doesn't hurt that I have e decent saw (purchased seperately at Lowes). Very good for the DIY weekend carpenter. Probably awful if you're a pro and do this for a living.