A miter saw works best for the first cut of a cope.
Coping usually makes the best cut for inside corners for baseboard, crown molding and other moldings. Corners are rarely a true 45-degree angle and often consist of a compound angle, which makes it difficult to fit the trim without coping. Coping will save you time, especially if you know a few simple tricks to make the corner fit tighter than trying to get the perfect angle. A few molding designs do not work well for coping, but most moldings can be coped with relative ease.
Instructions
1. Place the trim against the miter box fence and cut a 45-degree angle on the end. Position the trim so that it sits on the saw the same way it will be nailed in place. The cut should be angled in such a way that the long point is at the back.
2. Clamp the trim on two saw horses and cut out the profile of the 45-degree angle you just cut. Start at the top of the piece and work toward the bottom, following the design of the trim. Angle the cut back about 20 degrees.
3. Clean up the cut with a half round wood file. You may need a rat tail file if the profile of your trim is intricate.
Tags: 45-degree angle
