How to Cut Baseboard Corners without Miter Saw

If you want to know how to cut baseboard corners without miter saw then you are exactly in the right place. In this article, we will learn how to cut baseboard corners with different tools other than a miter saw.

Although a miter saw can make your job a lot easy and I highly recommend getting one for your workshop. However, you still can work on different types of projects with already available or cheaper tools.

Having that said, cutting the molding is an art itself and you will have to master it with practice. Especially without a compound miter saw, this can be a bit difficult. But after reading this article, I am sure you will be able to cut baseboard corners using simple and already available tools.

So without any further ado, let’s get started and learn to cut baseboard corners without using a miter saw.

Before we actually begin the cutting process, I want to tell you something important. I have explained several techniques in this guide that require different tools. You can follow any method that you find easy for your to cut baseboard corners.

1. How to Cut Baseboard Corners With a Hand Saw

How to Cut baseboard corners Without Miter Saw

The first method that I am going to show you when it comes to cut the baseboard corners without a miter saw is by using a hand saw.

Yes, it might seem a bit difficult but here is a step by step guide that will teach you how to do it efficiently and produce amazing miter cuts or bevel cuts.

The step by step approach to cut baseboard with a hand saw:

Step 1: take the baseboard and turn the cut side up.

Step two: use your hand saw and make a diagonal cut on the outer edge of both sides about an inch from the corner along with the cutting line.

Step three: measure down one-half in between these lines and mark them for placement.

After marking this area out take your hand saw and make another diagonal cut nearest to where you started so that you have two pieces that will perfectly match up together like puzzle pieces.

The next step is to prepare a small scrap piece of wood for every straight section.

You will need five total scraps per baseboard.

Lay the first one flat on your work surface and place two of its sides along with the corners you marked out in step three so that they are flush against each other.

Now take another scrap piece and place it across where both pieces meet at a right angle close to either end. Take the third small scrap and fit it into this corner snugly like shown below, then glue these together from front to back using wood glue or construction adhesive.

Continue until all four sides have been glued together. After letting them dry overnight, sand down any rough edges of excess material before applying finish paint or stain as desired for an attractive final look.

This is how you cut the baseboard without a miter saw. However, if this technique is too confusing for you then don’t worry at all. Here is another technique to cut the baseboard trim.

2. How to Cut Baseboard With a Miter Box?

If you don’t have a miter saw then another way of cutting baseboard trim is with a bench-mounted or floor standing miter box.

know that some carpenters call their miter saw a miter box. Well, we are not talking about power miter saw here so you don’t need to panic.

Here is a step by step approach to cut baseboard using a manual miter box:

Step 1: Lay the board flat on your work surface.

Step 2: Set up the miter box so that the cutting blade is set at a 45° angle to the tabletop or bench and line it with one end of the baseboard.

Mark this cut line on both ends of where you want to make your miter cuts, then place an edge guide against both sides of this mark.

The edge guide will serve as a straightedge for making accurate 45-degree angles when first starting out.

Step 3: Measure from each side of your marked cut lines in order to measure how far away from either side should be before angling back towards them. 

Again with successive cuts until you reach other endpoints of the desired length. keep fingers tucked away from sharp teeth on the blade while you produce miter cut.

Step 4: Mark this cut line on both ends of where you want to make your corner cuts, then place an edge guide against both sides of this mark.

Repeat these steps across all corner blocks and sides to predetermine the angle that seems best suited for each specific application. Then tighten down screws at baseboards edges by turning the handle at right angles until snug.

If you don’t have an edge guide, use a scrap piece of trim or even another board in order to make accurate 45-degree angle cut. 

You can do this by bending the wood at the desired angle against the wall and marking it from where you want your molding for  corner blocks.

3. Cutting the Baseboard Using a Circular Saw

using circular saw to cut baseboard corners

Make sure you have everything needed before starting this project such as tools and materials like:

baseboard trimming or cutting kit which includes a circular saw with an extension table, drywall knife, marking pencil (or chalk paint). A level tool for use inside walls if necessary and appropriate circular saw blades.

I would also recommend having some scrap wood handy so you don’t run into problems during alignment.

Once you have all the required items for the project you can start working on it. Here is a step-by-step approach to cut the baseboard corner with a circular saw.

Step 1: Mark the length of trimming to be cut with a level using a tape measure and a pencil. In addition to this mark a visible miter line for mitering the area on the cutting point.

This will allow you to know how much material is left on both sides after cutting one side in order to avoid any mistakes as well as make sure you have enough material for the second corner if needed (sometimes it’s necessary and appropriate).

Step 2: Cut along your lines using a circular saw. This ensures accuracy since it allows space for cuts in corners, eliminating problems with alignment.

Step 3: Cut the other side of the baseboard to make a perfect match with your first cut and complete one corner of trimming. Don’t forget to adjust the angle bracket when required. 

This is done in order to avoid any mistakes made on the initial line markings as well as to have enough material for another edge if needed (sometimes it’s necessary and appropriate).

You will then proceed with steps four through six below to finish both corners of trimming by making cuts from opposite ends towards each other until they meet up at the center point.

Step 4: Measure and mark the second side of the baseboard with your measuring tape and pencil. You can do this for all baseboard pieces in one go to make it easy for yourself. 

Step 5: Make a line across the long cut edge to make two intersecting lines on both sides of the corner, forming an “X” shape (where you should have ample space for cutting through). 

This will ensure that any mistakes made in measurement or alignment are eliminated. It will also prove quite useful during the miter cut or compound miter cut. 

Step 6: Use a circular saw to make the cut on one side of the “X” shape, and use this piece as a template for marking and cutting both pieces of baseboard at once.

Pro Tip! When cutting, always use a freshly-sharpened blade with more blade teeth for the cleanest cuts.

4. How to Cut Baseboard With a Jigsaw

using a jigsaw to cut baseboard corners without a miter saw

Jigsaw can also be proved as a helpful tool if you don’t own a miter saw. You can use it for cutting the different lumber pieces without any issue at all. 

You can even use it to cut baseboards like a pro although it would never replace miter saws it can still work.

I will show you a complete process of cutting baseboards or molding joints with a jigsaw and that too in a step-by-step manner. 

Here is how you can do it.

Step 1: Measure the  Depth of the Baseboard With a Ruler

The first thing you should do is measure the depth of your baseboards. You can use any measuring device, like a tape measure, or just take some simple measurements using anything that’s in front of you.

Step 2: Find the Center and Make Marks on Each Side About ¼ Inches from the Edge

Find the centerline for your cut by holding up one end against something straight, then mark it out at least an inch back to either side where you’ll be cutting (about ¼” away).

This will give you ample room to work without the saw blade getting caught on the finished piece. Now grab your jigsaw and position its blade so it cuts between those two lines  right down through all three pieces of the joints.

Step 3:  Make the Cut, Take the Piece Out

You should now have two pieces of baseboard on either side and a third one in the middle. Cut each of these down to size with your jigsaw just like before, then take the piece in its final position and cut it to size.

It may end up a little rough, but just trim with sandpaper or use wood filler on any visible gaps between the joints and you’ll be good to go!

Step 4:  Use a Small Square to Draw Lines for the Cut on Either Side of the Baseboards

This is where you’ll need your saw this time. Fit it with its blade and make sure there’s no way it will get caught up in any part that needs to be left uncut. Then line it up so the top edge matches that drawn pencil line as closely as possible.

If you have followed all the steps carefully then you will have cut the baseboards. However, if you want to cut the baseboard at a 45-degree angle then it might not be easy to do it with a jigsaw.

Besides that, let me teach you one more method to cut the baseboard molding for your corner block with a table saw.

5. How to Cut Baseboard with a Table Saw?

Step 1:  Place the board on your table saw with the bottom of one side flush against the fence. Line up so that it is running parallel to and right next to the blade

step 2:  Turn on the saw and make sure it is spinning

step 3:  Carefully push the board into your table saw, taking care to line up one side of the cut with the blade. Allow that edge to be pushed through by turning on a slow feed speed if you have one or use light pressure. The other end should come out just as perfect!

Step 4:  Use a small square to draw lines for where you’ll need to make cuts in order for your baseboard corner piece to fit snugly against its new neighbors

Step 5: Cut along those drawn lines using a miter saw set at an angle specific enough so both sides will fit together perfectly when they’re put back in position. Don’t worry about cleaning anything up now – you’ll have plenty of time for that later!

Final Words

I have explained several techniques on How to cut baseboard corners without miter saw. After reading this guide you should be able to use any available tool and finish the project more professionally. 

The above-mentioned techniques will help you finish the project without using miter saws. These are quite helpful for those who don’t have any miter saws or any kind of power saw.

However, you should be careful while making a bevel cut for your miter joint. It is because these might be a little tricky when working with manual equipment. 

In such conditions a speed square can prove quite helpful. Using a speed square you can easily produce angles. 

Besides that if you want to join the pieces together you can use screws or nails. Also make sure to sink those nail heads properly otherwise it will not look very beautiful. You can do this by drilling deeper nail holes. 

I highly recommend using wood screws as it will not crack the molding. You can use a pivot bit to fasten the wood screws. 

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *