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Adam Missing something
April 3rd, 2005 05:08 AM
You're not missing anything.

Matching the ends with a mitred joint is one of the most basic joints we've ever used.

Anyone making a picture frame has had the pleasure of accomplishing this.

But, a picture frame is free form and you can move the pieces of wood as you please in order to match two mitres. And, 45 plus 45 make that 90 degree rectangular corner all picture frames have.

Doing molding work is different. Although you can make you moldings 45 degrees. The chances of them coming together properly are small.

The molding is being restrained by the walls of your house. Everything is built with an accepted degree of accuracy or tolerance.

Carpenters are not paid to build to exact 90 degree specifications. And even if they did, as the house foundation settles the frame (including your walls) are going to twist and distort.

You'll probably never notice this until you become a Cabinetmaker or do interior trim work.

Then you'll have to learn the better suited coped inside joint.

Also, wood is not an Engineering fixed material. During different seasons the wood expands and contracts. This shifting can literally open up your carefully prepared inside mitre joints.

Professionals need to be concerned with the lasting quality of their work for continued good references. The DIYer has to LOOK AT their handywork for however so long they own their house.

These are the reasons a simple internal mitre joint is not recommended for trim work.
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