Return Cut for Toe kicks / Baseboard

   / Return Cut for Toe kicks / Baseboard #1  

dieselscout80

Veteran Member
Joined
Nov 17, 2007
Messages
2,207
Location
South Carolina
Tractor
New Holland TC45DA
I know how to do a return cut to end up with a finished end on the board.

However, wheen I cut the small 45 degree piece it always goes flying and gets dinged by the blade of my miter saw.

How can I keep the small piece from getting thrown around and dinged up?
 
Last edited:
   / Return Cut for Toe kicks / Baseboard #2  
Sharp fine toothed blade and cut slowly, I'd guess. Maybe a sacrificial backer?
 
   / Return Cut for Toe kicks / Baseboard
  • Thread Starter
#3  
I’m using a 90 tooth blade that leaves a sanded grade finish.

Won’t the backer and the return just fly around.
 
   / Return Cut for Toe kicks / Baseboard #4  
I apprenticed in my father's mill/cabinet shop right out of high school. Got sent out for cabinet installs and trim carpenter work quite a bit too. My dad called this operation "returning a molding to itself".

Cut the 45 deg miter first on your miter box. Next, straight cut the return 'sliver' off. During this cut, keep the blade down into the table until the blade stops spinning so the sliver won't 'catch', be thrown out and lost. It may happen anyway... then start over. Hope this helps!
 
   / Return Cut for Toe kicks / Baseboard #6  
Leave blade down until it stops. No kerf at the teeth.
 
   / Return Cut for Toe kicks / Baseboard
  • Thread Starter
#7  
I will try holding the saw/blade down until it stops.

Thanks
 
   / Return Cut for Toe kicks / Baseboard #8  
Not sure how big or small of a piece we're talking about, what size or type of molding or board, but sometimes it's necessary to go partially old fashioned. Cut the miter on a longer piece with your power saw, then lay the piece flat on a hand miter saw box, clamp it rigid and use a hand miter/trim saw to cut the square end.
 
   / Return Cut for Toe kicks / Baseboard
  • Thread Starter
#9  
I did some more return cuts yesterday.

The waiting until the blade stops helps indeed.

One other thing is cutting the return on the open side of the blade rather between between the blade and the fence.

Thanks for the assistance.
 

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