The Easiest Way to Cut Baseboard Molding
Compound miters saws cut angles on two planes called the miter and the bevel. A tilted blade makes a bevel cut and the table set at an angle makes the miter. The saw easily cuts baseboard, using bevel or miter cuts. Accurate and consistent measuring, marking and cutting techniques make cutting baseboard easy. Because most compound miter saws only bevel-cut in one direction, this method uses the miter cut, which allows cutting angles in two directions. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Miter saw with laser guide
- Tape measure
- Sharp pencil
- Combination square
Instructions
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Set the saw table at 0 degrees. Lay a piece of baseboard flat the miter saw table. Square off the ends of the baseboard by cutting approximately 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch from each end. Always square up the ends of a new piece of baseboard before measuring it.
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2
Measure exactly 5 inches from the end of the baseboard and make a small mark on it. Place the square on the baseboard aligned with the mark and draw a cut line across the baseboard. Cut the baseboard, using the line as a guide. Remember the saw blade has width. Make the cut alongside the line so that exactly 5 inches of baseboard remain.
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Place the 5-inch piece of baseboard in a corner, back against the wall, and the cut end against the adjoining wall. Measure from an adjacent corner to the piece of baseboard and add 5 inches. This is more accurate than attempting to read the tape measure with it bent in the corner. On walls longer than 8 feet, add 1/16 inch to the measurement.
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Measure the baseboard for cutting from a square cut end and make a small mark, then extend the mark across the baseboard with the square. Make a small X on the baseboard to indicate the side of the line to cut on. Place the baseboard on the saw with the back against the fence. Set the angle to 45 degrees so that the X side of the piece will have a longer face than the other side. Make the cut.
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Hold a scrap piece of baseboard against the wall at an outside corner and protruding at least 2 inches past the corner. Measure along the adjoining wall from an inside corner so that the tape measure runs underneath the baseboard. Read the tape measure where it aligns with the face of the baseboard.
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Mark the baseboard for cutting and place a small X to indicate which side of the line to cut on. Place the baseboard on the table with the back against the fence. Set the miter angle to 45 degrees so that the cut-off piece with the X has a shorter face than the other side. Make the cut.
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Tips & Warnings
The biggest problem beginners have is making inside corners meet correctly. Install one piece of molding with a square cut end in the corner. First, miter-cut the next piece for that corner, then cope the miter with a coping saw by following the contour of the miter cut. The cope cut end will mate with the square-cut edge and look exactly like a perfectly mitered joint. Always cope cut an inside corner before measuring to cut the piece to length.
Cutting pieces slightly long might put a shallow bow in them. That's what you want. Just nail it in place and bow will disappear. This is especially important when installing baseboard in the summer.
Always wear safety glasses whenever you use power tools. Observe and follow all manufacturer safety instructions.
References
Resources
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