How easy is it to fit a piece of skirting board?

LlamaKarma

For complete novices that don't enjoy carpentry..

Following the fitting of a new fireplace, we need to fit a new piece of skirting board that will go into the corners.

How tricky is this? Do you need any special tools?

I think our existing skirting board may be an imperial size too, but I'm hoping we can get it online (B&Q don't seem to stock it)

Waffle_On

The main tool you will need is a mitre saw for cutting the corners. A mitre block with cutouts to go with a normal saw is the cheapest option, and will be fine if you haven't got to do too many cuts.

Other than that you will need to measure it, and attach it - that will mean either drilling and screwing it in place, nailing it, or the cheats way out with some no more nails!

It's not a really difficult job, as long as you can measure accurately and handle a saw you should be ok.

ormus

buy some extra wood. some peeps are very good at cutting mitres.
others always make the mistake of cutting an external mitre instead of an internal one. and vice versa.

ps
i was an other.

ormus

putty and pollyfilla hide a lot of sins.

MarilynMonroe_2

I've got some to do in the kitchen and was just going to use no more nails and fill up the inevitable gaps.
I can't imagine its too hard a job, depends on how straight your walls and floors are really as to how fiddly it will be.

Leif

For some fireplaces you need to cut out a step at the fireplace end. What is the best way to do that? Obviously you first cut to length, using a mitre box and saw for example. But what about the rectangular cut out round the hearth?

ormus

http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/WOODWORKINGSKIRTING_BOARD.htm

you scribe any unusual shapes. i had to do this at the two edges to my marble fireplace hearth.

cut the wood to length, allowing a few inches extra. scribe the shape and cut that end first.
then trial fit it and mark the other end. the mitre. then cut it.
and robert is your fathers brother.

ormus

example;
how to use a pencil and a bit of wood to scribe an odd shape.

karl-123

i use a chopsaw for skirting boards

for internal corners install one piece of skirting board
directly into the corner without cutting

use a pice of skirting to draw a skirting board pattern
onto another piece of skirting board

cut the straight part with a saw
and cut the " funny shaped part "

with a coping saw cut out the shape slowly and firmly
or you will snap the coping saw blade
the cut shape will now marry into the corner " simple "
good luck love karl.........

Norman_Castle

with a coping saw cut out the shape slowly and firmly
or you will snap the coping saw blade

If you fit the blade so it cuts on the pull stroke it will be much less likely to break.

karl-123

i concur !