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Stesso

Cope the Detailed Profile

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1:03
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Coping inside corners

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What happens here

Retrieve a coping saw and ensure its teeth are oriented to face towards the handle, as coping saws typically cut on the pull stroke. Carefully angle the coping saw blade slightly backward (this is called 'back-cutting') and follow the pencil line along the decorative profile of the trim. The goal is to remove all the material behind the front-facing profile, creating an exact replica of the first piece's contour. Alternatively, if you prefer, you can skip the miter saw pre-cut and cope the entire profile directly with the coping saw, though it may take more time.

Goal: Create an interlocking contour for the inside corner

Tools and materials

  • Baseboard Trim — The piece of trim being coped
  • Coping Saw — Cutting the detailed decorative profile of the baseboard

What they say

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Just cut the flat part. I stopped right before the detailed portion. Grab a coping saw. Make sure your teeth face towards the handle. You want to angle your saw back towards the trim and follow your line. Or you can cut the whole thing with your coping saw. You're back cutting the material behind this finished edge and that leaves the front profile able to make contact. Now, slide that piece into your square piece. Miters can absolutely work, but cope joint is more forgiving.

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