How to Trim Around a Column Carpentry

Use a compound miter saw to create beveled cuts.

The professional finish carpenter's secret to smooth column trim installations is not decades of experience, it is attention to detail. With the right tools and accurate cuts, the do-it-yourself carpenter can install column trim with flush corners and practically seamless joints. Learn the right way to install base and cap trim around a column and add an impressive final touch to your project.

Things You'll Need

• Trim
• Tape measure
• Pencil
• Framing Square
• Compound miter saw
• Level
• Finish nail gun

Instructions

1. Measure the width of one side of the column. Subtract 1/32-inch from the measurement and mark the measurement on the rear side of a piece of trim with a pencil. Make a mark for each side of the measurement; do not use the straight end of the piece of trim to represent one side of the measurement. Use the framing square to draw a straight line across the width of the trim at each of the marks.

2. Place the marked piece of trim on a compound miter saw's base. Set the saw to cut at a 45-degree bevel; the term bevel refers to a cut angled relative to the trim's thickness. Activate the saw and cut a 45-degree bevel at each of the lines marked on the trim. Ensure that both cut angled outward so that the finished piece forms a thin trapezoid; the finished face of the piece makes the long, bottom side of the trapezoid and the rear side of the piece makes the shorter, top side of the trapezoid.

3. Hold the cut piece against column to check the cut for accuracy. Use a pencil to mark the rear of the cut piece with the number "1" and mark its corresponding side of the column with the number "1."

4. Measure, mark and cut trim pieces for the opposite and adjacent sides of the column. Check finished cuts for accuracy by holding them against the column. Mark each finished piece and its corresponding side of the column with an identification number.

5. Hold the first piece against its corresponding side of the column. Position the piece of trim roughly 1/32-inch off of the ground. Place a level on top of the piece of trim and use the level to adjust the trim into a level position. While holding the piece in place with one hand, fasten the trim to the column with a finish nail gun.

6. Hold the adjacent piece of trim against the column. Butt and align the end of the piece of trim against the previously attached piece of trim. Place a level on top of the loose piece of trim and adjust the trim into a level position. While holding the piece in place with one hand, fasten the trim to the column with a finish nail gun.

7. Align, level and fasten the remaining loose pieces of trim.

Tips & Warnings

• Use wood putty or wood filler to conceal nail holes.

References

• Purdue University: Finish Trim
• University of North Texas: Basic Interior Trim