Miter Joints and Other Techniques
The art of mitering a fine joint. Learn how to use miter joints and other techniques to get beautiful results.
Miter joint
Miter joint, this term is used for finish carpentry. This is not nailing a 2×4 to another 2×4 type scenario. This is finish work. Producing close tight joints is all about technique, and special tools. A saw called a coping saw is one of those tools. A wood rasp is also helpful in removing the last small amount of material to close up that gap. Add a miter saw and pneumatic nailer to produce great results.
Create the illusion
Getting two pieces to look like they are joined perfectly is easy once you know how to create the illusion. And illusion it is. The coping saw is the key that allows the illusion to happen. There are two pieces to every inside corner. One piece with a straight cut butts up to the wall. The other piece has been cut at a 45º angle and has a cope cut.
With the inside joint, one end is always butted into the corner. The other piece is cut at a 45º angle and a cope cut applied. The wood under the overlapping piece will help create the illusion of a tight connection if the overlapping piece shrinks and creates a gap. The wood under the overlapping piece fools the eye into thinking that no gap exists.
The real world
Corner Fitting Trick
If the drywall tapers in at the bottom of the wall or stops short of the floor, just install a screw at the bottom of the wall and turn it in until the head of the screw is at the same level as the rest of the wall. The head of the screw will prevent the baseboard from tipping in.
Outside miter joint
You’re working on your first outside miter joint. You cut a 45º angle for your outside miter joint and there’s a gap. Welcome to the bare truth, most walls are not square they are not 90º but instead are 89º or 91º or more.
Because of this truth, an outside corner is a different animal to cut. This cut will require trial and error cuts to get the angles to fit the corner. Don’t despair it is not as hard as it appears. Learn how to overcome these different angles in the video below. I cut scrap pieces that I can use to determine the angle I need. Then with my scrap pieces, I can check all the outside corners to get a perfect joint.
Scarf Joint
Splicing two or more pieces of baseboard on long runs requires a scarf cut. Here’s the technique of how to get a perfect splice with no gaps ever.
Keeping those joints tight
I’d like to say that you could use a hammer to nail the baseboard to the wall, but that would be untrue. You need to nail the baseboard to the wall quickly(one hit) to prevent movement. That means that an air nailer is needed. An air compressor and nailer combination will ensure those perfect joints stay closed.
With the above miter joints and the other techniques, your skill level has grown so that you can now replace any chair rail or baseboards with beautiful results.
For more information on purchasing an air compressor(click here)
Related Article: Installing Baseboard to Perfection
Related Article: Installing Door Casing to Perfection
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