Have you purchased a load of skirting boards and looking for a way to install them without the aid of a mitre saw?

Skirting boards need various types of cuts to ensure they are flush to the wall and fitted correctly.

If you don’t have a mitre saw you may feel like you have a bit of a problem – you don’t!

There are plenty of ways to fit your skirting boards without a mitre saw. So before you rush out and buy a mitre saw, let’s look at those different options!

By Hand

If you only have a few cuts to make – say if you’re doing one room, and not a full house then there is the option of cutting the skirting board by hand. 

By hand involves fewer additional tools and all you do is draw a guide on the skirting of where you want to cut and then use a hand saw to make that cut!

Simple process but unless you are confident with your saw handling skills, it can be quite difficult to get the lines correct so when it comes to joining up cuts, they may not be 100% flush. 

Straight cuts are easier done this way than mitre cuts. However, it’s still advisable to use a square (a tool used to draw perfectly square and 90-degree lines) to mark your guide when doing straight cuts. This will get you the precise 90-degree lines you need.

When it comes to a mitre cut a protractor can be used, this will get you the correct angle needed to mark the joints ready to be cut. 

Cutting skirting boards by hand is a lot of work and you need to be confident that you can cut a precise line using a hand saw. If you can, then this can be a great way of fitting your skirting without the need for extra tools. If you aren’t confident then it may be worth reading further! 

Using a Mitre Box

As I imagine you have already discovered, fitting skirting boards requires you to make several different types of cuts. 

Along with straight cuts, you are more than likely going to need to know how to create internal mitres and external mitres. This is where a mitre box can come in useful as it will work as a guide to ensure this cuts will be accurately done. 

A mitre cut is an angled cut, for skirting boards this is usually when they meet on a corner. 

Due to the precision required when doing these cuts, the majority of people will use a mitre box or mitre saws – even professional joiners.

Again, it depends on how much skirting you have to fit as to whether a mitre saw will be a good investment but you may find that a mitre box will more than do the job. 

A mitre box has slots which guide the blade to different angles. The common angles are 90 degrees and 45. This ensures the blade sticks to the angle and gets a precise line. Your skirting joints should butt together smoothly when using a mitre box. 

These are a great addition to a DIYers toolbox. Precise joint cuts with little expense. This sounds like a great way to go for a lot of people.

Precision Saw

A precision saw can be used instead of a mitre box. These saws are built onto a stand that has a swivel base and guides to ensure you get the right angle. 

The upside to using this type of saw is that they can be more accurate when it comes to mitre cuts and other angled cuts, especially when compared to cutting by hand or using a mitre box.

However, they can be quite large and cumbersome so if you are tight on space or don’t foresee it being a tool often used, then it may not be the right purchase for you. There perform a fairly specific function so do think about how often you will need a dedicated tool for making precision cuts.

A great option for DIYers who may have a lot of angled cuts to make and looking to get them perfectly sharp.

Hire a Mitre Saw

No need to purchase any equipment. If you are simply looking to do a one-off job around the house then why not get the perfect tool and hand it back when you’re done? 

A mitre saw can be hired relatively cheaply so if your budget allows, this could be a worthwhile option to go down. 

Conclusion

So there we have it, 4 different options instead of going out and buying a mitre saw to cut your skirting boards. 

If you only have few cuts to make, investing in a mitre saw isn’t necessarily the best use of your money. 

Consider opting for one of the above methods to save money, it is also a great opportunity to develop your DIY skills further. 

How will you cut your skirting boards?