Tight Fitting Miters

By Robert Robillard on Home Repairs And Remodeling

Perfect Tight Fitting Miters

Perfect tight fitting miters are only a small part of finish carpentry.
Finish carpenters must develop an eye for proportion and detail.  They must learn to visualize the steps, to measure, mark and cut more accurately and work with smaller tolerances.

It’s easy to misread the tape measure, confuse numbers and tapes can flex and distort the accuracy of your measurement.   Over the years I’ve learned a few tips that help me when trimming our a room.

Avoid the Tape Measure:

One tip that I was taught is to avoid using the tape measure when you can.  It is more accurate to mark trim in place than to measure and then transfer numbers onto a board.

Mark The Reveals

When trimming a door or window I will use a small combination ruler set to 3/16″.  I mark the sides and upper corners of the inside edges of the window or door jamb that I plan to trim out.

This mark is called a reveal.   A reveal assists the carpenter installing the trim by marking consistent spacing all around the door or window jamb.  The casing is then fastened along these marks.

My technique differs from the photo below, I only make small pencil “tic” marks.

 

Image: rd.com

Once the reveal marks are done I square cut the butt end of the left and right vertical casings – leaving them longer than needed.
Holding these casings in place I transfer the top reveal mark, onto the casing with a utility knife.

I also score a line in the casing in the direction of the miter cut to help “remind me” when back at the saw which direction the miter angle will go.

Put Away The Pencil

A utility knife has a smaller edge than a pencil and is more accurate. I mark all types of trim this way. [see photo below.]

Image: rd.com

Nail off the casing but not the last 12-inches

After cutting the two side casings, I install them but do not nail 12″ near the top miters.  Leaving this section loose allows for micro miter adjustments later when fitting the top casing.

The top casing goes on last.  Cut a miter on one side only.  Holding the top casing upside down, on top of the two installed miters and flush to one side I mark the other miter with my knife.

A picture is worth a thousand words – see photo below, but us a knife.


Image: taunton.com

After cutting the top casing I install one side of the miter to the vertical trim by first checking the reveal marks, adding glue, and then face nailing them and also nailing through the top and side miters.

This is where the micro adjustment sometimes is helpful in getting the two miters to close tight.  Other factors that can hamper a tight miter are;

  • protruding drywall,
  • door jamb proud of wall surface,
  • the miter saw bevel /angle cut off.

When all else fails a good quality, razor sharp block plane can be a rescue!  Use them to back cut or shave the miter to fit.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

About the author

Robert Robillard

Carpenter / Remodeler / Editor

Rob Robillard is “The Concord Carpenter” Rob is a builder, general contractor, carpenter, woodworker, and editor of Concord Carpenter and ToolBoxBuzz As a General Contractor and carpenter, Rob owns and operates Concord Carpenter LLC. A full-service remodeling and construction company. Rob is a recognized leader in home building best practices and a source for how-to information for building professionals. On this website, Rob covers all aspects of home construction, building science, home improvement, woodworking, remodeling, and some of the best product and tool reviews. Rob is in charge of our Tool and Product Review series - Concord Carpenter Videos where we post all of our tool reviews and video tutorials. Rob approaches remodeling and building construction with a pragmatic and problem-solving approach. He enjoys using his knowledge and experience to help and educate building professionals as well as DIYers on best practices in the construction and remodeling industry. He's a strong advocate for "raising the bar" in the construction trades and promoting the trades to youth. #BeAMentor #Green2Great Craftsmanship, quality, and pride guide his journey on this channel The Concord Carpenter's motto: "Well done is better than well said!" : Read more about Rob

All posts by Robert »

Not what you're looking for?

Search for more articles here. Enter keywords like roof leak, bookcase, deck, etc to find your topic.

© Copyright 2019 A Concord Carpenter · All Rights Reserved