The #1 Beginner Trim Mistake & How to Avoid It / How to Measure & Cut Mitered Corners

[@joelwinter4956]

I'm not a carpenter, but I've been woodworking for 15+ years. Honestly, I thought I was pretty smart. But as obviously simple as this is, I never, ever knew this, nor considered it! Thanks for teaching me ANOTHER thing. Your channel is a gift, from start to finish--thank you!

[@rememberthiscomment7434]

I’m a mathematician, and this didn’t seem obvious or simple at all to me.

[@jesseperez4185]

One thing I learned from competitive gaming is there are always a collective of skilled people who come up with one good tip/trickand it spreads to everyone. It would be impossible for one person to figure out everything for them selves even if they do it for a long time. Always be looking to learn from others even if you have lots of experience.

[@BRaff-hl4ip]

After years of using filler on my mitre joints I finally understand where my mistake was made. Thanks Dude and thanks you tube.

[@DRob70]

Easily one of the most useful videos I have ever come across, thank you.

[@BGladWoodworkings]

I've said it before but i really appreciate these videos. Not long and to the point. I love longer build videos and such but these shorter ones are quick and i immediately gain new knowledge. Thanks!

[@gusbub13]

Just stumbled across your channel a couple of days ago and gotta say it's easily the most useful and concise I've seen. No filler, no junk, no long-winded personal anecdotes no one cares about. I'm appreciative that I know I'm gonna learn something useful every time. Thanks for your time and efforts.

[@csimet]

Good explanation. Simple and to the point with no fluff.

[@saboorsaboor704]

this guy is a life safer. I have a job to install some baseboards tomorrow morning in my friend house. I did measure some angles at the job side and I was getting 88 to 92 degrees and I was going to simply divide that number by 2 to make my cut...that would have been a real head scratcher for me...but not any more......thanks a lot

[@skigglystars9525]

You described my home exactly. Not one single corner is 90. So these tips are a fabulous addition to my bag of tricks.

[@BigBrotherIsTooBig]

Virtually every home was described. 😀

[@BigBrotherIsTooBig]

For peeps who don't know why this trick works, it's because on a miter saw, when the blade is perpendicular to the fence, the scale reads 0° when it's actually 90°. I never understood why manufacturers did this.

[@stevenfoust3782]

Zero means no angle on the cross cut , plain and simple

[@BigBrotherIsTooBig]

@@stevenfoust3782 I get what you're saying but for newbies that could be misleading way to say it.

[@stevenfoust3782]

@@BigBrotherIsTooBig 30 yrs as a finish carpenter says it works as advertised. Newbies have to learn by making piles of sawdust

[@BigBrotherIsTooBig]

@@stevenfoust3782 Ofc it works. It'd work if it said 272 instead of zero as long as you compensated for it. Doesn't mean it's the best way 😀

[@stevenfoust3782]

@@BigBrotherIsTooBig I understand the the saw scale is not actually proper when you figure everything from 180*, but it is accurate when cutting angles in relation to installing whatever is being fitted. Using 180 as a starting point when trying to figure out odd angles is used instead of guessing. Sure 0 is actually 90 but 45 is still 45 so…

[@mindyhall4638]

Never gets old telling you how awesome your channel is; thanks for another GREAT lesson!

[@paulschraith2578]

Awesome tip! This really takes the “trial and error” out of process to get that perfect fit, the first time! LOVE YOUR CHANNEL, so much KNOWLEDGE!!!!

[@Selviherrera]

I just bought a finding finder, and I had no idea how it worked and this gentleman has clarified it to me 👏

[@JimFleming1953]

LMBO! "You need a new home?" That's hilarious!!! 😂😅😊

[@carolwingert64]

First video I have watched on your channel. Just bought a miter saw. Had I not seen this I probably would have gotten frustrated and stopped right there. I can not thank you enough.

[@jbn1237]

Keep these educational videos coming. I love how simple your explanations are!

[@bradleytuckwell4881]

The information you provided on woodworking has helped me immensely. I’m so glad I found your channel

[@pixellake636]

How am I only learning about this now?! As a DIYer, I was driving myself mad as to why I couldn’t cut and install molding effectively. This might be the reason why. Thank you!

[@shaynesabala]

Man, another super helpful tip, and just in time. I'm about to do the base board throughout my entire house. Thank you.

[@fakeitormakeit83]

Thankyou so much for this ! I have run into this recently and my mind is just blown! Thankyou!

[@martincaruana6632]

Yet another video to save and refer to. Thank you for making things easy to understand.

[@XxStratAttackxX]

This is how I teach my apprentices. I'll just send them this video now 😂 thanks for your content man.

[@Erik_The_Viking]

Another great tip! Keep these up - you're providing some great insight without a lot of math.

[@w9jim]

Personally, I use the Starrett Plastic Miter Protractor. No math needed! Does both inside and outside angles. Still, this is a good information to know!

[@Squip72]

I have literally just found this out. I was doing the dividing by two thing and getting nowhere! I bought an angle finder eith bisector and couldn't understand why a 88 degree corner was coming out at 46 and not 44. Thanks to your video I can now trust the angle finder. Thanks!

[@glennirwin4710]

You, always have good ideas.

[@stefaneriksson9634]

The math is correct but a more intuitive way, in my opinion, to calculate the cut angle is to start by dividing by two and then subtract that value from 90. Why? Well, the angle you want your cut at is half of your measurement, so start by dividing that by two. But your mitre saws scale is reversed so before cutting you need to flip it and you do that by subtracting from 90. This follows the thought process better. You want half the angle and then you adapt to the reverse scale on the mitre saw. A usefull point is also that your intermediate result is your target angle and something you can verrify by mesauring the cut pieces. Also if your saws scale happens to go the other way (I have never seen a saw lika that but just image for a sec) this is the value to cut at. The (180 - meassurement)/2 method will indeed give you the same result but isn't as easy to grasp why it works.

[@brianhall9019]

Your last statement was pure gold.😂

[@BobBlarneystone]

An excellent explanation about how to avoid a very common goof.

[@gavjav1]

Love your little tip videos 👍

[@brianlister6036]

absolutely LOVE these quick instructional Vids, so much great info, keep em coming please

[@evans_workshop]

Jodi - Great tip! Thanks so much! Simple and to the point!

[@pipi7731]

Good information. Thanks. I was working on soffitts and could not get a corner angle right.

[@pierra4716]

Hi, my method is to read the gauge, divide by 2, move the gauge to reach the calculated half, lock the gauge and bring it to the miter saw to copy the angle and cut. Almost no math involved and a perfect fit. Greetings from France.

[@InspireWoodcraft]

@Pierra A little slower, but that’s a great idea!

[@pierra4716]

@@InspireWoodcraft thanks for your answer. The main advantage for me is to compensate any inaccuracies of the miter saw graduation, this allows me to skip a reading/setting step. Thanks for all the knowledge and tips that you share on your channel for a while, it’s always a pleasure to follow you !

[@axion8788]

The Master does it again.

[@billj5645]

I'm an engineer so I understand how this works but most people in their workshop aren't going to get into complicated math. Here is how I would look at it- exaggerate the situation and then consider what the angle would be. For instance if you measured 88 degrees then that is a bit "closed" from a true 90 degree corner. Now close those arms some more and think about what the angle would be. It is easy to see that the angle is much larger than 45 degrees therefore it makes sense that instead of setting the saw to 44 you would set it to something like 46. Well you have to do a little bit of math- a corner is 90 degrees so 2 angles that fit in the corner have to add up to 90 degrees. Half of 88 is 44, you need to set the saw to 46 which is the complement of 44 degrees. They add up to 90. If you took my example and closed the angle even further, maybe you get 70 degrees. Half of that is 35 but you can see that 35 is incorrect so set the saw to the complement of that which is 55 degrees.

[@ruidadgmailcanada8508]

Yes, you made it worse to understand by re-explaining it. Thanks though, it’s the thought that counts. I still liked the explanation.

[@thomaswinchester3964]

good tip! struggled for years before learning this

[@danalaniz7314]

Really good tip and great explanation!

[@gene1647]

Excellent video.

[@mattmayes599]

Thanks for another great video to uncomplicate figuring angles 👍🏻👊🏻

[@kathleenharsha6504]

Great info. I'm saving these miter videos so next time I'm in the shop scratching my head over some #!@ angle I can figure it out easy-peasy.

[@br31woodlands69]

Love that last ‘New Home’ comment 😂

[@DaveJHarry]

Perhaps it would make more sense if saws were not marked as 0 degrees in the centre, but as 90. In a standard cut, that's what you want, a perfect 90 degree square. Then the more versatile saws would go all the way down to 40 in either direction, which would make it a snap to make a 80 degree mitre.

[@JT_70]

Some videos show putting a piece of tape behind the scale on the miter saw and writing the correct angles on the tape, which you can then use with your original measurements and no math. Start with 90 at the center (0 on the saw’s scale) and subtract the saw’s scale number from 90 for each graduation.

[@MCsCreations]

Oh... Very interesting indeed!!! 😃 Thanks a bunch, dude!!! Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@michaelmerriam9735]

If we wanted to do this for trim around the window how would we do that? Same as the quarter round ?

[@stevenberry54]

And this works for inside or outside corners?

[@natasharostova1377]

which glue do you use?

[@danielmackey6594]

Great video. Very helpful, thank you! How do you make this work if you don't have a digital angle finder?

[@InspireWoodcraft]

@danielmackey6594 I don't know if this will help, but it's an option (kzbin.info/www/bejne/d3Sqk5Wgp6uGp7s) Also, there are tools available for this kind of work that do the match for you. The Starrett miter protractor is pretty popular (amzn.to/3Uxe9Y0). The SawSet Pro is another really good option too (amzn.to/4d9NTKx), but you have to have/use a sliding t-bevel to use it.

[@danielmackey6594]

@@InspireWoodcraftThat video shows a pretty good method. Today I was installing quarter round trim. Using the overlap method would have be very difficult. Thankfully I was able to pick up a digital angle finder.

[@InspireWoodcraft]

@@danielmackey6594 Oh good! The overlap method works really well for establishing the angles, and on quarter round, or other awkward profiles, I would use flat stock to establish the angle that needs to be cut, set the saw to that angle, and then cut the quarter round to that angle. But, you found an angle finder so it sounds like you’re all set!

[@thelivingcat0210]

Does this work of exterior corners too?

[@bbkobudo]

I believe you… but I don’t. Seeing the miter saw set up would have helped me understand this one… but I know you’re right because your tips are always super helpful and inspiring

[@gerrymcintosh4477]

Very useful tips. Thank you. 🇨🇦💝🙏👍

[@pauldenning9268]

Another great tip - thanks!

[@brentfowler2317]

I may sound like an idiot! But where does the 180 come from? I get 90° I get two 45° and so on. But in layman as you can, how'd we get the 180 to reduce from? Thanks in advance! I've really enjoyed the miter video series you been doing lately.

[@brentjenkinsdesigns]

I've often wondered why tool companies didn't or couldn't build a full 180 degree miter saw. The radial arm saw is the only one that I am familiar with though and even those were "super-sketchy" when cutting acute angles.

[@InspireWoodcraft]

@Brett Jenkins Ive wondered the same thing. I’ve heard that they were originally made for framers, who have a different work flow. Even if that was the case, why are miter gauges and table saw blade tilt gauges inverse as well?

[@dougcarlson6800]

Scribe your inside corners as a pro would do no math needed outside corners go with your tutorial as spot on. Do you have anything on math for a curved staircase hand rails or rail caps.

[@gsilcoful]

Thanks. Genius, again.

[@milandjordjevic5949]

This is Great ,Thank You 👍👍👍👍👍

[@dpmeyer4867]

thanks......keep 'em coming

[@StoneInMySandal]

Corners in homes are that much out of square as a matter of course. It’s challenging to work with, but those houses will still be standing when all the newer homes with square corners have collapsed as the glue and joist hangers deteriorate.

[@davidyeo4302]

60? Think you must know the builder of our last house..... 😂😂😂 More great tips!!!

[@GrantOakes]

BRILLANT!

[@kiwdwks]

Awesome...thank you!

[@nikolakpg]

Much appreciated!

[@gtric1466]

Your'e a life saver....

[@justinthomas4442]

That’s AWESOME.

[@trurex007lee7]

Wow! Thank you

[@jercubsfan]

Did you record this at 4:11am?

[@InspireWoodcraft]

@jercubsfan Haha! PM

[@jesterraj]

i like ......big up to doin this video....

[@tompw3141]

The confusing thing is that the angle on the mitre saw is "degrees from a square cut", not "degrees from a parallel cut. Which makes sense, until it doesn't :-)

[@mrmoto7682]

But what if you live in a lighthouse?

[@gateslattes4686]

This goes against every other video cutting corners

[@Mr_Rick]

"Cogito Ergo Sum" That's what I like about you.

[@zephyr1408]

Ok I am a “ professional “. I do this for a living however where I find a lot of problem with this very “ true” theory is inside 22.5 crown that is off? Say 22.8 or even 23.1 that’s the issue & yes you can go from the 180 to an obtuse angle ? And get deep into the weeds while you hv 250’ more to go? Can you give me a fairly quick solve rate here? It’s always the 22.5 crown where the sleeping bear is?

[@BigBrotherIsTooBig]

This technique will work for crown if you cut it "in place" and even if you cut it flat. But if you cut it flat the compound cut is really hard to get accurate enough to look good. Not sure of your technique for cutting crown but you don't need to be 100% accurate. If you're close, within a few tenths of a degree I would recommend gluing and nailing the corners and if there is any gap at the wall or ceiling, it can easily be filled with caulk.

[@InspireWoodcraft]

@zephyr1408 I’m not sure I totally understand the question, but if you’re cutting it nested, there shouldn’t be a problem math-wise.

[@zephyr1408]

@@InspireWoodcraft there is actually. And next time I hang crown I will shoot you the problem. Not saying it’s this system ? But def having issues finding correct miters with low numbers.

[@BigBrotherIsTooBig]

@@zephyr1408 I'd love to see that. Shoot your method of measuring and cutting so we can see what's going on. 👍

[@zephyr1408]

@@InspireWoodcraft I went back to your other video you hv and some of Spencer Lewis . Crown is always a challenge especially doing short back to back inside corners. The rest is not an issue and I hang it alone. Thee one I find most challenging is 2 piece kitchen ! Anyway my apologies if I was unclear!

[@JonnyTsunami1]

For the algorithm

[@raymondfrato367]

I wish you had made this video 5 months ago🤣

[@skigglystars9525]

Iknowrite!! How many times have we struggled?? How long have we fought the battle of angles? His content sure helps get us ready for success.

[@michaeldelgado2930]

Yeah, that works. When you're working. But that's not an old house

[@InspireWoodcraft]

@@michaeldelgado2930 ?

[@williamsnapp2605]

You need a new home 😂😂😂

[@mattymattffs]

Wait, people been doing this wrong? This is just basic maths. Y'all fail high school or something?

[@InspireWoodcraft]

@Matt It’s only basic math if you already know how it works. The first time anyone cuts on a miter saw without being taught how it works, cuts wrong at anything but 90 and 45.

[@michaelgiannace1827]

to complicated for anyone looking for advice I dont have that tool and would never think to buy one. Nothing against the gentleman who is prsenting.