Make a Simple Clamp for Perfect Miters

It's important to have the right tools to achieve best results when assembling miter joints on trim and other projects. A pinch dog clamp is designed just for this purpose, but if you don't have one handy try this tip from Fine Homebuilding reader Sven "Skip" Hanson, a cabinet maker out of Marietta, Ga.

Skip makes his own miter clamps using a spring clamp and two fine-threaded drywall screws. First, remove the protective plastic tips from the spring clamp. Next, use a nail set to pound a dimple into the tip of each of the clamp jaws before drilling through holes. Finally, screw the drywall screws into the holes.

Now your miter clamp is ready to use. Simply open the jaws and pinch the corner of the miter joint with the tips of the drywall screws to hold the joint tightly together during assembly.