Overheard a guy at the lumber yard say he never uses a miter saw for baseboards

I was grabbing some 1x4 pine yesterday and this older carpenter was telling his helper that a miter saw is a waste of time for baseboard work. He swears by a coping saw and a jig for inside corners. I've always just used my miter saw and filled gaps with caulk. Has anyone else tried the coping saw method for baseboards? Is it really that much better?

2 comments

2 Comments

shane2447d ago

Funny you mention that, my buddy tried the coping saw method on a job last year and ended up chewing through an entire afternoon on one corner. Is it really worth the extra time for a cleaner look?

dakota_taylor397d ago

Honestly, "chewing through an entire afternoon on one corner" sounds like a tool problem, not a technique problem. I've seen guys spend more time fiddling with a coping saw than they would just cutting a 45 and caulking it, which gets the job done 95% of the time. Unless you're working in some million dollar home with a homeowner breathing down your neck, I'm not sure the "cleaner look" matters that much to anyone but you. Plus, who's really looking that close at baseboard corners after the furniture's in? It's baseboard, not a museum piece. I'd rather take the faster route and spend the saved time on something that actually pays me.