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Many Do-it-yourselfers have difficulty in making a mitered corner when installing base or a new cove molding for the ceiling. Gaps in corners are a common problem. Most corners in a room are not square, therefore a standard 45 degree miter will not work and what we have left is a gap in the corner trimwork. You can eliminate that gap and make perfect cuts by using the coping method of cutting corners. With a little patience some sandpaper and a wood wasp you can make perfect corners.
The images below show the steps in coping a 45 degree angle in a corner. The first picture shows cutting 45 degree angles with a standard miter box. Even the inexpensive wood or plastic miter boxes will give a cut suitable for coping. The second picture shows the results of a corner with two 45 degree cuts. A gap will show in the corner. The more out of square the corner is the worst the gap.
To do a corner using the coping method we start with one piece of trim being square. Place that piece of trim in place. Now cut the adjoining piece of trim to a standard 45 degree cut. As seen in the third photo the trim will show a definite profile on the edge. Using a coping saw cut the profile out. While cutting with the coping saw slant the saw to produce an undercut. This will produce a cut that will butt up against the adjoining trim almost perfectly. A little sandpaper and wood wasp will make a perfect joint. The Picture four shows the profile after coping. The fifth picture shows the results of a corner using the coping method. This same process can be used for all trim cut into a corner such as wainscoating, base or ceiling moldings. Cove trims used at the ceiling are done in the same manner but may be a little more difficult. More on that later. |
  
 
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