How to Miter Corners
Whether you're installing floor trim, a chair rail, or framing a window, there will come a time when you have to create a corner with a miter cut. This is simply two cuts at opposite angles on two pieces of wood, which then fit together to make the corner. Modern miter saws make this task easy. A miter saw is a circular blade on a swiveling mount, hanging over a platform. You swivel the blade to the appropriate angle (45 degrees, for each side of a standard 90-degree corner) and bring the blade down. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- Pencil
- Tri-square
- Miter saw
- Trim or other wood to be mitered
Instructions
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Use a tape measure and pencil to mark the wood where you want the miter to start.
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2
Set your tri-square on the mark, with the angled edge of the tri-square going in the direction you want the cut to go. With a pencil, draw a line along the angled edge.
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3
Set the marked board on the platform of your miter saw. Swivel the miter blade to 45 degrees in the direction of the cut, so the blade is lined up with the pencil mark. (Saws vary, but in most cases, there is a knob in the front that you pull outward, then swivel. Make sure to lock it in place.)
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Hold the board in place with one hand, keeping your hand clear of the blade. Squeeze the trigger of the saw to turn it on. Bring it straight down through the wood, in a steady motion. Bring it down slowly enough so you can ensure the blade is cutting exactly on the line you marked.
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Once the blade is through the wood, release the trigger and bring the blade back up. Don't attempt to move the wood until the blade stops spinning.
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Repeat the whole process for the second board, but make the miter cut go in the opposite direction. Install the two pieces with the cuts facing each other to form a corner.
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Tips & Warnings
Wear eye goggles when using your miter saw.
