How to Bisect Angles for Cutting Miters | Ask This Old House

general contractor Tom Silva shows a quick and accurate way to cut perfect-fit miters
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Time:
Less than 5 minutes

Skill level: Very easy, no carpentry experience necessary

Tools List for Bisecting Angles for Cutting Miters:
[TOOL_IMAGE 1 {Steel rule}]
[TOOL_IMAGE 2 {Miter saw, to make angled cuts}]

Shopping List:
[BOLD "Two 1x4 boards,"] used as angle-marking guides

In this video, [ITALIC "Ask This Old House"] general contractor Tom Silva shows a quick and accurate way to cut perfect-fit miters.[BR][BR]

[BOLD "Steps:"][BR]
1. Make an angle-marking guide from two 16-inch-long 1x4s. Check to be sure that the two boards are exactly the same width.[BR]
2. Set one 1x4 against a wall; lay the other 1x4 on top and press it tight against the adjoining wall.[BR]
3. Draw a pencil along each edge of the top board to mark the bottom board.[BR]
4. Now use a pencil and steel rule to draw a line that connects the ends of the two previously drawn lines. This new line represents the bisected angle.[BR]
5. Stack the two 1x4s on top of each other and bring them over to the miter saw. Adjust the blade angle to match the bisected-angle line drawn across the 1x4.[BR]
6. Cut through both 1x4s, then hold them against the wall to check their fit. If necessary, readjust the blade angle and recut the 1x4s until they produce a tight-fitting joint.[BR]
7. Once you're satisfied with the miter angle, cut the molding to fit the wall.

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Homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions for us on smaller projects, and we're ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by our viewers—and we make house calls! Ask This Old House features some familiar faces from This Old House, including Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Roger Cook.

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How to Bisect Angles for Cutting Miters | Ask This Old House
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