Fitting Baseboard Trim

[rdgallo]

I would like to know what is the proper method to put baseboard trim up. I am paticulaly interested in a method to make the corners (inside or outside) match up correctly. Theroretically, one should be able to just cut a 45 degree angle on the mating pieces and everything will be ok, but most walls are not square. What is the easiet way to make these joints match up?

[montytx]

Usually they dont match perfectly. I usually glue the corners, fire a couple of nails in them and then if one side protrudes more than the other I use sandpaper to smooth them down. The a little caulk and you should be good to go. You can also cut a few small pieces at 44, 45 and 46 degrees. THen seen what matches up best.

[Pokey]

If you cope all of your inside corners your fits should be really good and tight. It takes a lot less time to cope all of your corners rather than try to fit the appropriate angle that each corner may have. I also find it easier to measure pieces because one end is just a regular straight cut. I cut my pieces just about 1/8" longer to ensure a tight fit

[rdgallo]

Pokey, could you please give me a more detailed description of what you mean by coping the inside corners. I know what an inside corner is, but am not sure what you mean by coping. I assume you mean something done with a coping saw?

Thanks!!

[giddonah]

you cut the end of the board to match the pattern of the baseboard, so when you put it together, the trim has no gaps.

http://www.homestore.com/HomeGarden/HomeImprovement/HowTos/HowTos/CRHO_InstallingSinglePieceBaseTrim.asp?poe=homesto re

[montytx]

Coping is a lot more time consuming. I wouldnt do it if it were me.

[Pokey]

IMO Coping is much easier to do once you get used to making some awkward cuts with the coping saw. It does take some time to get used to but after that you should find it definatly doesn't take any more time than mitering your corners. Like i said before, it makes it easier to measure for length and that is where you save time.

[Dragon]

Its even easier to do if you use a jigsaw with a scroll blade in it.

I insist that all my interior corner baseboard joints be coped.

If you think it doesn't matter, come back and look again in a couple of years.

There is no substitute for quality.

[Tom R]

I agree on coping all the inside corners, - - never really considered any other way. As for the original question of determining the perfect fit, - - go to the tool aisle of HD and pay $5 for a plastic angle-finder. It will read your angle (inside or out), - - then just set your saw to half of that.

[dieselfish]

The coping looks like it works great, but it does seem somewhat time consuming, especially if you never done it before.

[tooltroll]

I gotta agree. Coping is the best way to do inside corners. Same principle as using 45s instead of 90s at butt joints- when (not if) the trim shrinks, the gap won't be so obvious. A moto-tool can speed the process up, and give really good results, too.

[roger g]

Apparently some guys use their angle grinder to do their coping. I really should try it.


roger