How to Cut Trim With a Miter Saw
The most complicated part of any trimming project is getting the corners right. That's where a miter saw comes in. Miter saws are designed to swivel from side to side, allowing you to make precise miter cuts that will allow pieces of trim to meet in the middle of corners. Most homeowner projects will encounter two basic types of miters: Edge-cut miters for wall trim, and face-cut miters for window and door frames. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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For Wall Trim
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Measure and mark your first piece for the corner cut. Put the mark on the top of the piece, at the back edge (where it will touch the wall).
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Stand the piece on your miter saw platform, positioned how it will go on the wall, with the mark under the saw blade.
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3
Swivel and lock the saw blade to 45 degrees away from the board for an outside corner cut (so the front of the board will be longer than your mark); for an inside corner, swivel it to 45 degrees toward the board, so the front will be shorter than your mark. Make the cut.
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4
Measure and mark the second piece going to the corner. Stand it on the saw in the same manner as the first piece, but on the other side of the blade. Swivel the blade to 45 degree in the opposite direction of how it was swiveled before.
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Set the two pieces in place, butting the mitered ends to each other to form the corner. Install them both with your trim nailer.
For Window and Door Trim
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6
Measure the top width of the window or door opening on the casing that's around the edge, setting the tape measure back 1/4 inch on the casing. Transfer the measurement to a piece of trim, putting your marks on the bottom edge of the piece.
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Set the piece of trim flat down on the saw platform, with the bottom edge facing the fence of the saw and the front of the board facing up.
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Slide board so that one of the mark is directly under the saw blade. Swivel the blade to 45 degree away from the board, so the top edge (the edge closest to you as the piece lays on the platform) will be longer than the bottom edge. Make the cut.
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Slide the piece so that the other mark is under the blade. Swivel the blade to 45 degrees in the opposite direction, so the top edge will again be longer than the bottom. Make the cut.
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10
Install the piece by setting it over the window or door with the bottom edge on the casing and the top angling on both side. Affix it with your trim nailer. Repeat the process to trim for each of the other sides setting each piece in place with the mitered ends butting the adjacent pieces.
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Tips & Warnings
Wear eye protection when making your cuts.
