How to Cut Quarter Round Without a Miter Saw?

Do you want to know how to cut quarter round without a miter saw? If yes, then you are exactly in the right place. The best way to cut quarter round corners is by using a miter saw. However, it doesn’t mean you can’t cut it if you don’t own one.

In this article, I will teach you how to cut quarter round without a miter saw. I will also teach you what are the necessary tools required for cutting quarter-round corners. Apart from that, you’ll learn how to do it properly and as efficiently as possible.

So without any further ado, let’s not waste any more time and learn how to cut quarter round without a miter saw.

Tools You Will Need for this Project

Just like other DIY projects, you will need important tools for cutting quarter-round molding.  I will mention all of the required ones for this project. However, you’ll need to use these tools according to the method you are using for cutting a quarter round without a miter saw.

• A tape measure
• Angle finder
• Woodworking pencil
• A high-quality speed square
• A miter box
• Multi-Angle Miter Shear Cutter
• A Circular Saw (if you don’t want to use a miter box)
• A coping saw or a hand saw (if you can’t afford a power tool)
• Clamps (for holding the piece)

What Angle do I Cut Quarter Round?

The Angles of your quarter round depend upon your needs and requirements. However, most projects require 90-degree joints. For such an angle, you will need to cut two pieces at 45 degrees. I have already covered how to cut a 45-degree angle without a miter saw in my other article.

If you want more details you can read my article. Anyways, back to the topic, so you will need to make a proper 90-degree angle when both pieces of wood are combined together.

Always keep in mind that angle measurement is extremely important in woodworking. Even if your cut pieces are off by a few degrees it will ruin your whole project. This problem is not only for quarter rounds but trim and crown molding as well. So you need to be extremely careful while making your cuts at 45 degrees. 

Note: In this tutorial, we will try to learn to cut the quarter round without a miter saw in four different ways. You can use any of the mentioned techniques to cut trim or quarter round pieces efficiently.

1. Cutting Quarter Round Pieces Using a Hand Saw

The first technique that I am going to teach you is by using a hand saw. It is one of the most basic and effective ways to cut trim or quarter round pieces. If you are a complete beginner then this technique will take a little bit of practice to master.

You can definitely use a hack saw to make 45 degree angle cuts without any issue at all.

You can also use a coping saw for better results. Quarter rounds are available in different sizes. Most commonly there are 8 feet and 16 feet long pieces available on almost every home improvement store.

I highly recommend getting the right length for your needs. It will make the job easier and will save you from joining different pieces that may ruin the perfection of the project.

Anyways, here is the correct way to cut quarter round with a hand saw.

Step 1:

Get the right size of quarter-round pieces for your walls.

Step 2:

Take your measuring tape and measure the length of the baseboard carefully.

Step 3:

Using your tape measure, mark a line on the required amount of wood.

Step 4:

Use an angle finder or a speed square to mark the angles at 90 degrees and 45 degrees correctly.

Step 5:

Put the Quarter round piece on the floor such that the flat surface is facing downwards.

Step 6:

Take your hand saw or a coping and start cutting the wood on the line.

Make sure to be very careful while cutting and don’t rush. It is because if you rush then it is possible that you will miss the line.

As I mentioned earlier, even a small bit of error will lead to a complete disaster. Your piece will look awful because there will be a significant gap between both pieces.

Therefore, whenever you are about to cut the pieces of wood you need to put the saw on the pencil line and cut it carefully.

If you don’t have a hand saw and still want to cut trim or molding then here is another technique you can use.

2. Cutting Quarter Round Pieces with Multi-Angle Miter Shear Cutter

Another awesome technique that can help you cut the quarter-round molding or trim more easily. This method is a little bit easier as compared to the previous technique. It is because the multi-angle miter shear cutter is relatively easier to use.

Besides that, it has different angles which allow you to produce 45-degree cuts more easily. So here is the right way to cut quarter-round corners using a multi-angle miter shear cutter.

Step 1:

take the necessary measurements according to your needs

Step 2:

Place the quarter round wood inside the jaws of the angle shear cutter having the flat surface facing away from you.

Step 3:

Ensure that you are producing the right cut using the fence and the angled line on the tool.

Step 4:

Produce the cut by applying pressure on the cutter.

Once you have executed all the above-mentioned steps, you will have a nice piece of the quarter-round corner.

However, that’s not all because there is another method of cutting the quarter-round wood pieces.

3. Using a Miter Box to Cut the Quarter Round Corner Pieces

The next method that I am going to teach you is actually quite interesting. You can use a simple miter box for cutting the quarter-round pieces. This technique doesn’t require a lot of skill as you just need to know how to properly use a miter box.

Here is the correct way that can help you cut the quarter-round pieces with the help of a miter box. Using this technique, you can easily cut make 45 degree angled cuts. Besides quarter rounds, the miter box can help you cut baseboard corners, trim, and other such types of pieces.

Here is the correct way to cut the quarter-round pieces with a miter box or a manual miter saw.

Step 1:

Measure the piece perfectly using a measuring tape and a fine pencil. Draw a line on one end of the wood carefully and move on to the other side.

Step 2:

Put the workpiece inside the miter box.

Step 3:

put the blade/saw in the 45-degree angle slot

Step 4:

Start cutting the wood at the exact length.  Using the pencil mark line as a guide to cut the corners perfectly.

4. Using a Circular Saw to Cut the Quarter Round Corner

The next technique that can help you to cut the quarter round or baseboard piece is using a circular saw. Now some of you may not agree but a circular saw can help you in many situations.

I know quarter rounds are quite small and unlike the baseboard, you will have a little bit of a hard time while you cut them with your circular saw.

However, it is still possible and I am going to teach you exactly how to do it without any problem. So without any further ado, let’s see how you can use a circular saw to make 45 degree angled cuts on quarter rounds.

Step 1:

Measure the required length of the wood using a measuring tape and mark the exact line on one side of the quarter round.

Step 2:

Use a clamp to hold the molding tightly otherwise it will move and may ruin the precision.

Step 3:

Equip the right blade on your circular saw. You can use any fine woodworking blade with 60 or more teeth.

Step 4:

Set the depth of the blade properly. Make sure that the blade is not more than 1/4 inch deeper than the thickness of the quarter round.

Step 5:

Start cutting the molding. For straight cuts, there shouldn’t be any problem. It is because straight cuts are extremely simple and almost everyone can cut a straight piece of wood without any issue at all.

However, if you are going to make angled cuts then you can use your speed square to assist your blade. As I already mentioned, the speed square will be helpful in making angled cuts only, and for straight cuts, it isn’t necessary.

Video Guide

Last Minute Thoughts

If you don’t own a miter saw and still want to cut your quarter round then this guide article will help you. I have mentioned a bunch of ways that can help you complete the project without any issue at all. Using the above-mentioned info you can easily cut not only molding but baseboard and other such types of wood.

Using the above-mentioned tool, you can even handle even tough corner angles like a pro.  In this article, I have explained 4 different ways that will let you handle the job completely and cover the space between the floor and the walls. With the right measurements, you can simply put a piece in every order and edge of the wall.

I hope you have enjoyed reading the article, please share it with your friends and family. You can also contribute to the article using the comment section.

References

1. Understanding wood: a craftsman’s guide to wood technology
2. Installing Synthetic Crown Molding
3. Crown-Molding Fundamentals