How to cut baseboard trim for inner corners?

Question

I have a room that is a rectangle and I'm not sure exactly how to cut/miter the corners and at what angle...any advice would be great. Thanks

Answer 1

Corner trim is the art of a finish carpenter.

DO NOT just cut two pieces at 45 degrees.

It will open up & look terrible forever.

Note the direction from which the corner is viewed.

Put the first piece of trim on the short wall, butted to corner.

Cut the other wall piece at 45 degrees in a mitre box.

Then remove the angular part with a coping saw.

It will now fit perfectly over the other piece & hide the joint.

As the house shifts with moisture & age, the gap won't show.

Answer 2

I say 10 points for Robert S = mitered inside corners look like c**p - if not now then as soon as the weather changes.  Coping is really not hard to do.  Robert S describe the process well.  If you don't understand then search the internet for "how to cope base" and you'll find videos like this one: http://www.expertvillage.com/video/6604_...

Answer 3

The trim will be cut at a 45 degree angle from back to front of the trim for an inside corner and 45 degree angle from front to back for an outside corner. The very best way to do this is with a power miter saw it is the fastest and easiest with professional results. If you don't own one, you can rent one for a reasonable price. Once you get the hang of how the saw works, you will be proud of your handiwork and will have done it yourself. Here is a tip, the angle of the miter is 1/2 the total angle of the corner, ie. 90 degree corner-45 degree miter, 45 degree corner-22.5 degree miter. Good Luck

Answer 4

2 ways I would do it:

1. I measure the angle of the wall with a protractor, if is 90 (rare) I cut mitters at 45 each(using a mitte saw or mitter box) to form a 90, if its a diffrent angle just divided by two. When nailing set your nails at least 1 1/2 inch away from the joint (corner)

2. I do this when dealing with 5inches baseboard or taller,

I cut one pice straight (no miter or cero angle) then the other one I cut it at 45 or half the angle of the wall, and using a coping saw I cope the miter to interlock the joint.....this is a little more difficult but works better in big moldings,and I make the joint tight with mdf shims only if necessary just to have a better joint.

Then for both procedures fill the nailholes with spackle and caulk the gap between the molding and the wall just if it is less than 1/4 inch, if bigger....mannn...then I will float it whith drywall compuound to have a nice professional finish...

Answer 5

Use a miter box. If you can afford it rent or buy a electric power compound miter saw. It's easier and more precise.