How to Cope a Corner With a Compound Saw

Coping saws allow you to cut details after using a compound saw.

Installing molding requires many different skills including how to cut mitered joints for corners that are at 90-degree angles. On older homes, where the corners may not be at precise 90-degree angles, an effective alternative is the coped joint. The coped joint requires that the molding on one wall run from one end to the other and fit tightly against the abutting wall. The second piece is cut to the profile of the molding and butts against the face of the first piece of molding. Although this project outlines baseboard molding, it can be applied to any horizontal molding treatment.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Baseboard molding
• Pencil
• Miter saw
• Coping saw

Instructions

1. Measure with a tape measure the length of the two walls that form the corner joint.

2. Lay the molding boards on a work surface. Measure and mark the molding boards to the length of the two walls using a tape measure and pencil.

3. Place one molding board at a time on the compound miter saw table and cut the boards to length. The molding should be positioned with the back side down and the top edge facing out.

4. Fit the molding board for the first wall into place along the wall. Place the second board with the front facing down on a work surface. Position the end of a scrap piece on the end where it will join with the first board as it would form the joint. Trace the outline of the molding profile onto the second molding board with a pencil.

5. Cut along the pencil line with a coping saw. Coping saws have a very flexible blade and allow you to cut curves. Take your time and carefully cut along the pencil mark until it is completely cut.

6. Fit the second board into place. Check the fit of the coped end of the board in the corner joint. Adjust it as needed by removing it and cutting accordingly with a coping saw.

Tips & Warnings

• Use an extra fine-toothed blade in the coping saw when cutting moldings with intricate details in the profile.

• Wear eye protection when sawing wood.

References

• Kelleher Corporation: How to Cope Moldings
• The Family Handyman: How to Cope Joints

Resources

• Amateur Woodworker: Power Tools -- Miter Saw