A careful carpenter will measure twice, then cut once.
Applying a rope moulding might require that you miter the ends; "mitering" means cutting the end at an angle so a second piece of moulding, also mitered, will fit into the corner seamlessly. Cutting the corner--or mitering the corner, as it's called--means that you use a cutting guide, called a miter box, to make sure the cuts are made precisely, so they match. The miter box holds the wood and the saw so the cuts are uniform, match properly and, when made correctly, present the desired appearance.
Instructions
1. Measure the length of the moulding to determine where the rope moulding should be cut. Mark that point with a pencil. Take note of the angle needed (usually 45 degrees for a simple corner joint).
2. Set the moulding into the miter box; it should fit snugly against the back rail of the box. Align the point at which you will cut the moulding with the slots on the box so the slot on the back of the box is at the top of the mark you made on the moulding, and the slot at the front of the box is aligned with the mark you made on the lower edge of the moulding. Mark the location for the moulding on the back of the moulding; if you're cutting multiple pieces, this will help make sure the section of moulding goes in the right place.
3. Set the saw in the miter box, slipping the blade into the slots on the the back and front of the box so the blade of the saw sits on the line where you will make the cut.
4. Grasp the handle of the saw and make the cut, keeping the blade in the slots. With the blade in the slots, the cut is at exactly the angle you desire.
Tags: blade slots, make sure, mark made, rope moulding