How to Cope Base Trim

Doing base trim is difficult, especially when your walls or corners aren't perfectly square. However, there is a solution. You can cope your base trim so that the profiles of the two pieces of base trim will match, no matter the complexity of the trim. Read on for some help.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Miter saw
• Coping saw
• Desired length of base trim

1. Measure the length of the trim that you need along the base.

2. Set up your miter saw so that the blade cuts your piece of base trim at a 45 degree angle. Angle the cut in such a way so it goes toward the end of the board.

3. Lay once piece of base trim and mark where you want to cut it. Lay the base trim on the saw's base, and put on your safety glasses.

4. Turn on the saw first before lowering the blade to the wood, so that the blade spins without taking chunks from the wood.

5. Take the base trim from the saw and set it on your work bench.

6. Use your coping saw to cut away the back of the base trim, following the cut you made with the miter saw. Essentially, you'll be cutting another angle on the back of base trim. By coping the trim in this manner, you create a cut that allows two pieces of base trim to fit together in the corner, no matter the angle. The end result is a clean joint in the corner.