How to Miter Cut Trim Molding
Taking trim molding around an outside corner requires a precise 45-degree cut on each piece. The two pieces together form a 90-degree right angle. It's possible to make the cut with a circular saw or other tool, but a miter saw is made to do it, allowing you to swivel the blade to whatever angle you need and giving you a nice, tight corner. (Miter cutting should be used only for outside corners. For inside corners, you should cope-cut the trim, which is a different process.) Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Measure the wall along one side of the corner with your tape measure. Transfer the measurement to your first piece of trim, putting a pencil mark on the top of the trim at the very back--the part that will be pressed against the wall when it's installed.
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Set the trim on your miter saw, in the same position as it will be on the wall. Put the pencil mark right under the blade.
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Swivel the blade 45 degrees pointing away from the measured span of the wood. Make the cut, squeezing the trigger and lowering the blade through the wood. The mitered cut on the wood should make the front of the trim longer than the back, with the back still at the length of your measurement.
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Measure and mark the second piece of trim for the wall along the other side of the corner. Set the piece on the miter saw, in the position it will be on the wall, and swivel the blade to be 45 degrees pointing away from the measured span of the wood. (The wood should be on the opposite side of the blade as was the previous piece, and the blade should be turned in the opposite direction as it was before.) Make the cut.
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Set the two cut pieces of trim on either side of the corner, with the mitered sides meeting to form the corner. Use your trim nailer to secure the pieces in place.
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Tips & Warnings
Wear eye protection when making your miter saw cuts.
