How to Figure the Angle Cut of Hardwood at the Wall

Most hardwood floors meet walls at a 90-degree angle or are parallel to them, and a 0-degree crosscut on a miter saw makes the fit perfect. When hardwood flooring meets a wall at an angle other than 90 degrees, determining that angle might seem awkward. Guessing at the angle will get you close, but measuring the angle is a better solution. A bevel gauge makes measuring the angle and setting up your miter saw easy.

Scrap 1-by-6 lumber
Bevel gauge
Miter saw

Instructions

- 1
  Lay a scrap piece of 1-by-6 flat on the floor with one edge butted against the groove edge of the hardwood planks and the end just touching the wall. This leaves a triangular-shaped space between the wall and the corner of the 1-by-6 that does not touch the wall.
- 2
  Loosen the wing nut on your bevel gauge. Place the bevel gauge on the floor with the handle flat against the edge of the 1-by-6. Move the bevel gauge arm until it is flat against the wall. Keep the arm flat against the wall and the handle flat against the edge of the 1-by-6. Tighten the wing nut.
- 3
  Hold the bevel gauge handle against the edge of the 1-by-6 with the arm extended across the face of the 1-by-6 near the end. Draw a pencil line across the 1-by-6 and use the arm as a guide.
- 4
  Put the 1-by-6 on the miter saw. Set the table angle to align the saw blade with the pencil line. Cut the 1-by-6 approximately 1/4-inch from the pencil line to test the angle. Adjust the table angle, if necessary, to make the cut parallel to the line.
- 5
  Place the 1-by-6 on the floor with the edge against the hardwood flooring plank and the angle cut end against the wall. The cut end should butt the wall without large gaps. Small gaps less than 1/8-inch are acceptable.

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