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I’ve been trying to build a simple wooden planter box for my balcony, but my miter joints keep coming out with tiny gaps no matter how carefully I measure and cut. I don’t have a fancy table saw, just a basic miter box and hand saw. Is this just something I have to live with using hand tools, or is there a trick to getting them truly tight?

Those tiny gaps in miter joints are pretty common when you’re cutting by hand. Do a dry run on scrap first. Make sure the 45-degree cuts are true with a steel square pressed flat to the blade and the stock held square in the box. A backer behind the cut helps with tear-out. Glue and clamp, then pull the joint tight as it cures.

I ran into this too. The gaps were caused by the stock not staying flat as I tightened up. I dry-fitted, then used a sharp chisel to pare the mating edge a hair to close the gap before gluing. Make sure the wood is acclimated and not warping as it dries.

Could be more about the overall square of the box than the individual cuts. If the bottom or sides aren’t square, corners won’t meet neatly. Recheck the long edges with a square, and clamp with cauls to keep things flat as you glue.

One quick question: are you sure the angles are actually at 45 degrees, or could the jig be worn?

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