figuring angles?

Question

I am trying to cut some wierd angles with a miter saw but I can't figure the angles. I bought a true angle, but it didn't tell me how to cut it once I figured out what angle I needed. I am putting down baseboard.

Answer 1

I have always done trial cuts on scrap material for my outside angles and coping my inside angles is the way that works best for me. Use a stud finder, and nail to the studs and use glue on the outside cuts. Always cut to the long side of the line, you can always shave a whisker off. I have yet to find a good board stretcher.

Answer 2

when cutting floor trim start with the longest pieces first. that way, if you make a mistake, you can use that piece for a shorter one later. except for outside corners, butt the long piece into the wall, then cope cut the next piece to go over the first one. this will be like a profile cut in the 2nd piece and will lay right over the 1st piece. what is better about this method is that the corner won't open up and expose a gap in the joint. you can find this and other instructions in books at home improvement centers, and it will give your work a professional appearance. it's simple and once you get the hang of it, easy to do. also, you will only need to buy a coping saw and a rough (bastard, i think is the name) file. no more than $20. for both. as far as the outside corners go, get the joint as close as you can with the correct angles, but them together and nail them, then using the side of a round shank screw driver, rub the shaft over the joint to mush the edge together. you don't have to crush the joint, just lightly mush it, and it will come out looking perfect. and another thing, even though the trim is "dry", it will shrink after it has been up for a while, so make all of the pieces a little longer than the place you are putting them, and bow it into place. if the wall was 10', you would make the piece 10' 1/8-3/16" long and it would push into the sheet rock a little. when it shrinks, it won't be short and open up one of the joints. all of this will make more sense once you see it in a book, and your results will be fantastic! good luck, hope this helps.

Answer 3

Based on what you've offered, I would recommend taking some scrap pieces of wood and experiment/guess at the angle. After you do a trial fit keep altering the angle until you get it acceptable, then use those angles for the baseboard final cut.

Answer 4

lay down a piece of paper first and with some shears cut around the angles needed and then transfer over to the wood, like using a pattern like. or lay down some paper and with a pencil trace around the corners and transfer to wood.