If you’re someone who just started using a miter saw, knowing how to accurately cut a door trim is one of the most valuable skills to have.
It may seem daunting at first, but it’s not difficult at all. We will show you how to cut crisp and sharp corners to install door trims.
With some basic tools and patience, you’ll be able to cut them in no time.
Quick Summary
In this post, we will go over:
- Things you need to cut the trim piece
- Safety tips to consider
- Instructions on how to cut trim with a miter saw
Let’s get started.
Thing You Need to Cut the Trim Piece
Before you start to work, make sure you have everything you need on hand. If you don’t know exactly what you need or if you’re new to this we’ve made a list to help you out.
Although you don’t need a lot of material, we recommend you get a miter saw to make your task easier. We’ve also divided the list into two parts so it’s less complicated for you to go over.
With that being said, here are some of the materials you need:
- Trims
- Glue
- Shims
- Brad nails
- Molding
Here is a list of tools you need:
- Safety gear such as eyes, nose, and ears protection. Any eye protection should work as long as it’s not paper thin. However, we recommend you invest in a good quality mask or respirator to protect your lungs. Gloves are also a must.
- A good quality brand nail gun. It can either be cordless or air.
- Air compressor. This is only required if the nail gun you have is airpower.
- If you don’t have a nail gun, a hammer and punch will also work fine.
- Tape measure
- Stud finder
- Microfiber cloth
- Sandpaper preferably 120-180 grit
- Combination square to accurately measure corners
- A caulking gun is also important. However, we recommend you go for a cheaper one than a cordless one.
- Compound miter saw
- Good quality saw blade. We recommend a carbide-tipped blade with at least 60 teeth.
Safety Tips to Consider
While most people may overlook this section of the article when it comes to power tools it’s crucial to consider safety.
Here are some tips to keep in mind while you operate a miter saw:
- Use a miter table for stability.
- Do not wear loose clothing as they might get caught in the miter saw. Similarly, if you have long hair, tie them to keep them out of the way.
- Don’t wear accessories like a wristwatch or jewelry.
- Keep your workstation clean to avoid accidents.
- Do not let any visitors come near the miter saw especially when it’s in use
- Wear safety glasses and gloves
- While you make adjustments to the blade, make sure the miter saw is disconnected from the power
- Lastly, make sure to go through the user manual of your miter saw to ensure proper use.
Once you have taken all the safety measures and collected all the tools you need, it’s time to cut the trim piece.
What Miter Angle Do You Need For Door Trim?
The first thing you need to understand before you cut the door trim is the angle.
You need to cut the trim at an angle of 45-degrees so once you join the two pieces you get a 90-degree angle. However, this may not be as easy as it sounds.
If you’re an amateur, you need to be extremely careful as you cut the trim piece. This is because if you slightly go off the mark, the trim might not fit perfectly and may go to waste.
To avoid this, we recommend you accurately measure the trim first before you make the 45-degree miter cut.
How to Cut Door Trim with a Miter Saw?
Step 1 – Prepare the tool
Most people ignore this step, but it’s crucial you check if your miter saw is in working condition before you begin the project.
Your miter may not always be perfect. Therefore, never put too much faith in the tool.
Check the miter and bevel angle of the saw. They need to be zeroed with no instrumental errors. We also recommend you use a square tool to make sure the blade is 90-degrees to the saw table.
Step 2 – Install the correct blade
An incorrect blade may result in rough and inaccurate cuts. As a result, the trim pieces might not fit the door casing perfectly.
Remember, the more teeth on a blade the finer will be the result. Since the trim pieces need to be cut as accurately as possible, we suggest you go with a blade with 60 to 80 teeth.
Hook angle is another thing to consider. It is the angle at which the teeth of the blade point from the workpiece. We recommend a hook angle of 8 degrees.
Step 3 – Measure the trim piece
First, determine where the short points of the trim will go. When you begin with the measurement of the trim angle, place the trim on the side of the door jamb.
Now, take a look at the margins between the corner of the jamb and the corner of the trim. Once you’re confident with the placement of the trim, mark a point on the door jamb with a pencil.
Repeat the same process for the other side of the door frame and use it as a reference to cut the trim.
Next, position the tip on top of the door frame and mark a point on both sides. Keep the previous measurement as your reference as you do this.
Now you have the actual measurement to help you cut the trim piece with a miter saw.
Step 4 – Cut the trim
The final step is to cut the trim. Although it may seem difficult, there are a few things to keep in mind.
One common mistake is that people start to cut the trim right at the mark to make a corner angle. We suggest you cut slightly away from the mark as you make a 45-degree miter.
Wrapping Things Up…
We hope this guide covered everything you need to know to cut door trim with a miter saw.
You can definitely cut door trims without a miter saw, but using a miter saw streamlines this whole process. But, don’t forget to practice safety while you operate a miter saw.
You can check other ways to cut door trims on Tools Advisor Pro.
Finally, before you start with the project, make sure you have all the tools with you. Otherwise, you’ll end up with an inaccurate cut and wasted material.