Are there any tricks or easy methods on how to cut trim / baseboards?

Question

Wanting to know how to cut trim -- It is sorta tricky. Anyone know how to make things easier???

Answer 1

if you are talking about angled corners - you just need a mitre box-pretty cheap - lets you cut 45 degree angles easily-visit a hardware store and ask for a demo

Answer 2

You'll need, at the least, a miter box and back saw to make the angled cuts. Better yet is a compound miter saw, but these are expensive.

A miter box is about a 4-inch wide trough with straight sides and a flat bottom, and with slots cut into the sides at specific angles for the saw to be guided and held at that angle while you cut the baseboard (usually one pair of slots holds the saw at 90 degrees and another pair of slots holds the saw at 45 degrees). You can get one of these - saw included - for about $15 at Home Depot.

A compound miter saw is a little table saw with a handle that allows you to move the blade up and down to cut the wood. It also has a locking pivot assembly that lets you rotate the cutting assembly to set the angle of the cut, usually at 5-degree increments. This will cost you at least $100, more like $150 for a good one.

A nail gun is also an extremely handy tool for installing baseboards. It shoots in very thin wire nails that don't have heads on them. So, you don't have the trouble with holding the finishing nail, tapping it in without marring the baseboard with the hammer if you miss the nail, and sinking the nail with a punch to get it flush. These are pneumatic, though, and you'll need an air compressor to run it. So, a nail gun might set you back a few hundred dollars.

Answer 3

Take a square piece of cardboard and cut it from one corner to another, this will give you the 45 angle you need. Cut the molding long and trim with a utility knife and sand paper to make the 2 45 degree cuts you need to match for the square corner. Once the angles are correct, then trim to length and install the pieces. A cheap miter box and saw can be purchased for less than 30 USD in many stores. Have fun.

Answer 4

Pros "measure twice, cut once".
As an amateur I found that "measure twice,
cut twice" worked for me.
I cut about an eighth of an inch long, offer the
piece in place, mark, and make a final trim cut.
(This is with a power miter saw).
It took a lot longer, but I got good joints.
For door trim, measure the top, lay the whole
thing out on the floor, fasten, then lift into place.

Answer 5

of course, measure twice,cut once. beyond that, i have found that measuring the inside and outside of corners for trim and then checking that against the stock before making the cut reduces re-cutting. its only off by fractions of an inch, but getting those fractions right makes the end result look that much more professional

Answer 6

I gave up and started using corner blocks. They fit on the outside and inside corners and you simply saw your baseboard to fit them straight.

Answer 7

to get a better fit... in the corners i cut a 45 degree and cope the profile with a coping saw....but it will take practice for someone who's never done it before