How can I cut baseboards at the proper angle?
Question:I have an old house and some of the corners are no longer exactly square. I'm a complete ninny at math, so how do I find out the correct angles to cut moldings and baseboards so they'll fit and look neat? Thanks.
Oh, I'm using a miter saw.
Answers:
Not exactly square means the cuts aren't exactly 45 deg, huh?
Once you find a way to measure or at least transfer the angle of a corner, adjust your miter saw to cut half of whatever the angle is. For example, you could line up two pieces of paper against a corner, tape them together, take it over to you miter saw (which has degrees scribed on it), and find out that the corner is 94 degrees. Then set your miter saw to 43 degrees and make your cuts.
Best to practice on scrap wood first...
use the mitre box ( 45 degree angle) to make corners fit,,,,,,practise cuts on scrap pieces to make final cuts real straight(45 plus 45 = 90 degrees)llllll------,LLLLLLLth... ls have a 90 degree angle,see?
One of the best ways to join baseboards is coping. This is difficult to describe and may be tough for a novice. If the baseboard is going to be painted, spackle and caulk will take care of minor imperfections.This requires a little better coordination but it makes a great fit regardless off the angle. This is done by putting the first piece of molding end to end with a straight cut in the corners. The next piece is coped by using a coping saw, looks like a small bow saw with a thin blade. Follow the contour along the face of the molding cutting the back of the molding for clearance allowing the pieces butt together. The other end may be cut straight allowing the nest piece to be coped to that end. In a four cornered room the last piece will be coped on both ends. That's the idea anyway. I'm sure most do-it-yourself books will show you how in greater detail. Good luck!
As suggested, you can use "coping cuts" for your base but then you will need more tools than the miter saw. I would suggest that you "test cut" your angles using scrap pieces of wood. Start with 45 degree angles then adjust the cuts to make them fit best.
HINT: When I am working on a house like yours I will mark the angle on my sample cuts. You will end up with a bunch of samples, but it could save you time since you won't have to cut new "test cut" (or samples). You will be surprised that many of the corners will be the same angles - just not exact 45 degree ones.
To do this, you don't have a math genius. Just remember that a square corner is two 45 degree angles. Then all you need to do is "play" with them to get them to fit the corners.
I hope that this helps you out with your question. Good luck.
sccopbarns above ^^ is 100% right, you fix one baseboard right into the corner without making any mitre in it. then you get a fret saw or coping saw (yahoo images) and using an offcut of the baseboard mark out the image of the baseboard to match, that way you only have 1 joint which will shrink. if you use a mitre saw both baseboards will shrink away from the corner. but if youve only got a mnitre saw and need to find the angle, that guy above with 'the two pieces of paper' would work, then use a protractor to find the angle and half it for your cut and use decorators caulk/flexible filler in the joint.
Get as close as possible, then use caulking or painters putty to fill in the gaps. Smooth it out with a putty knife or a 5 blade. Let it sit for a day or so, then run some sand paper over it and paint.
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