6 Tips for Perfect Trim on Doors, Windows and Base Moldings

Shaving Technique for Tough Corners

How often have you set your miter box exactly on 45 degrees and cut miters on a pair of moldings only to discover they don’t fit? Well, don’t worry. There’s nothing wrong with your miter box or your technique. Miters almost always have to be shaved to fit perfectly.

One method is to simply adjust the angle slightly on your miter box and recut the trim molding. The trouble is that making tiny adjustments to the cutting angle is difficult on many power miter boxes.

A quicker and easier method is to place a shim against the miter saw fence to slightly change the angle. Move the shim away from the blade for smaller adjustments and closer for larger ones, or vary the thickness of the shim. Remember, both pieces need the exact same cut to fit precisely.

Close a gap on the top of a miter by placing a skinny (1/16-inch or less) shim against the portion of the fence farthest from the blade. Slide the trim molding tight to the shim and against the fence near the blade. Hold it in this position while you make the cut.

Caution: Keep your fingers at least 6 inches from the blade’s path.

Trim the other half of the miter using the same technique. Use the same shim and place it the same distance from the blade. Drop the blade slowly through the wood to shave thin slices.