How to baseboard!

[IHATEDRYWALL]

I am trying to baseboard a closet. The only problem is that this closet is not the norm. It is 36" x 36", the first 16" is flat , the next 16" is on a 22 1/2 degree angle upward. Probably best described if you took a flat piece of cardboard halfway and raised the other half on a 22 1/2 angle upward. Then try to baseboard the perimeter. The baseboard is 2 1/2" high with patterns. What do I set my compound mitre cuts in the corners at. I,m running out of trial baseboard. Thanx. :wall:

[chfite]

I don't understand your up and down, and am not clear on what you mean.

Nevertheless, if the angle is 22.5 degrees, you cut 11.25 degrees: one-half the angle. For 45 degrees, cut each 22.5 degrees.

For inside corners, such as would be in closet, coping might far be the best solution, because it always fits correctly.

http://www.doityourself.com/wall/copingbetterfit.htm

Hope this helps.

[XSleeper]

Yes, chfite is right. You need to cope the inside corners, don't try to miter them. Each piece will have 1 straight end, and one coped end. For instance, the piece in the back of the closet can be square on both ends, and exactly as long as the closet is wide.

the piece in back on the left will have a cope (compound cut 45 and 11.25, then cope along the cut line) on the right side, and an 11.25 angle on the left. (scarf cut it if you want to be fancy)

the piece in back on the right will be just the opposite. you should be able to figure out the rest.

[IHATEDRYWALL]

Thanks XSleeper that helped me out a lot. I didnt know what coping was no I do. I am unsure what a scarf cut is though? Thanks again for your help.

[XSleeper]

A scarf cut is basically an overlapping joint. picture a long wall that needs a seam in the baseboard somewhere. Well, you could butt 2 square cuts together, but it would show up like a sore thumb. That's where you use a scarf joint. All it is, is two 45's put together. The joint is still vertical, but fits a lot better, and you can glue and pin nail it to keep it tight forever!

Now imagine the joint at the 22.5 degree angle in your closet. You could cut two 11.25 degree angles and butt them together, but to do a better job, set your table angle at 45L, your compound blade angle at 11.25L, and cut the left piece while it is on the left side of the blade. Then set your compound blade angle at 11.25R, and cut the other piece on the right side of the blade.

Unless I'm picturing it wrong in my head, that's the way you'd make a scarf joint in your closet. Then again, it's a CLOSET. Not too many carpenters save their best work for such a spot. ;)