How to Determine Angles for Cutting Moldings
Cutting trim molding for a room can become challenging where two corners meet. In theory, the corner of a room is a 90-degree angle, meaning two pieces of trim cut at 45 degrees should fit together perfectly. In reality, though, rooms are seldom actually square. If you want to miter-cut a corner without having to file or "cope" the wood, you need to know the exact angle of the corner and adjust your miter saw accordingly. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Set your angle finder into the corner, hinged side first. Press the two sides of the angle finder outward, against the walls on either side of the corner. If the tool has a tightening bolt, tighten it; otherwise, be careful as you remove it from the corner, so the hinge doesn't move.
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Take the reading of the tool and divide it by half to get the proper miter of each of the two pieces of trim. A perfect corner will have a reading of 90 degrees, meaning each side of the corner would be cut at 45 degrees. Most inner corners in a room will end up with a slight different reading than that.
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Set the tool along the top edge of your first piece of molding and mark the angle on it with your pencil. Set the piece on the saw, standing on its edge in the same way it will be installed on the wall. Swivel your saw blade to the reading you calculated (around 45 degrees). The blade should line up with the line.
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Turn on the saw by squeezing the starting trigger. Bring it down through the wood in one smooth motion, cutting along the outer edge of your marked line.
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Repeat the mark-and-cut process for the other piece, cutting it from the opposite end and swiveling the saw in the opposite direction. The two pieces should fit together perfectly in the corner.
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Tips & Warnings
Always wear protective goggles when using a miter saw.
