How to Make Angles When Cutting Molding
There are two types of angles when cutting molding -- for outside corners and for inside corners. For outside corners a right-angle cut is made. For inside corners a reverse angle is cut. Angle cuts, typically referred to as "miter" cuts, are done on a miter saw. Ninety percent of all angle cuts are 45 degrees. This is for doorways, baseboard, all picture frames, chair rails and almost all furniture molding. For all other angle cuts, remember that all angles must total 90 degrees. For example, if you cut one angle at 30 degrees, your corresponding angle must be 60 degrees.
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Instructions
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Outside Angles
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Swing the miter saw blade all the way to the right-hand side and lock it into the 45-degree preset. Place a piece of molding on the miter saw on the right side of the blade. Hold the molding with your left hand. Turn on the saw with your right hand and pull the blade down to trim the end of the molding off.
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2
Swing the saw blade all the way to the left and lock it into the 45-degree preset. Place a piece of molding on the left-hand side of the blade. Hold the molding with your right hand and use your left hand to trim the end of the molding off.
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Set the two pieces of molding on their edges. Bring the mitered corners together. You have just created an outside 90-degree corner. For example, use this angle cut for chair rail molding where it wraps around outside corners of the room.
Inside Angles
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4
Swing the saw blade all the way to the right and lock it into the 45-degree preset. Set the piece of molding on the miter saw table on the right. Hold the molding with your right hand. Turn on the saw with your left hand and bring the blade down to trim the face off the molding. This is a reverse angle.
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Swing the saw blade all the way to the left. Place the corresponding piece of molding on the miter saw fence on the left side. Hold the molding with your left hand. Turn the saw on with your right hand and bring the blade down to trim the face off the molding.
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Set the two pieces of molding on their edges on a flat surface. Bring the mitered corners together for an inside corner, or reverse angle. For example, use the reverse angle for chair rail molding where it goes into corners.
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Tips & Warnings
You can cut angles with a handsaw, but your results won't be as good.
Always wear safety glasses when working with wood. Watch where your fingers are at all times.
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