45 degree bevel by hand?

5 years ago

So, I messed up. I’m working on a fireplace mantle, and it’s been a much harder project than this beginner ever imagined. The online tutorials for cutting 45 degree bevels say “it can be tricky....” Major understatement for a first timer. I had to rebuy some wood because the first piece was too bowed for a straight cut and the second time, decided NOT to bevel the end before putting it together. I thought the end caps would just sit nicely on top of the straight edge, even though every other edge is beveled. So, now that I’ve realized that was a really bad idea, how do I fix this? Can I hand chisel the 45? Is there some tool I can buy? Note: since I’ve already put it together, my space to hand saw anything is very limited. What about a 45 degree router bit? Or, maybe I just jigsaw out the flat edge. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

In the picture, the flat edge is the horizontal edge. All others are beveled.

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Comments (8)

Seabornman
5 years ago
It doesn't have to be perfect, right? As long as the edge is straight. I'd probably cut with a jig saw or reciprocating saw and do final adjustment with a chisel and/or belt sander.
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
5 years ago
I'd freehand it with a straight bit on a laminate trimmer. It won't be pretty, but except for the finished edge, it doesn't have to be. Practice on a scrap first please.
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User
5 years ago
Table saws and miter saw all cut 45's with ease. Why hand cut something that long? If you don't have a table saw, rent one or go to a friend's house that has one.
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
5 years ago
On second thought, lower the blade on your table saw set to 45*. Set the piece on end, clamp it to the fence, fire up the saw, and slowly raise the blade until you're just about to see the blade peeking out of the finished ends.
Libby K.
Original Author
5 years ago
No, it doesn’t have to be pretty, just has to allow for a solid piece of wood to fit properly on the ends. It’s not a super long piece, just about 6 inches. I’m worried about accidentally cutting the two side pieces using a table saw, but am comfortable with using it, so that may be the route I go. Thanks everyone for not making me fee like an idiot. Haha.
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
5 years ago
Even if you pushed it through the saw standing up, you'd have an angled saw kerf to fill front and back. That's a small tradeoff for a top that fits perfectly.
klem1
5 years ago
I can't make all those cuts with a power saw and have them fit. I have to pay close attention doing it on a well tuned table saw. If it doesn't need to be pretty,why in the world did you chose such difficult joinery instaed of make square cuts?
Libby K.
Original Author
5 years ago
I don’t think this specific cut I’m inquiring about needs to be pretty. Just the edge that will show on the outside matters now. The reason I made these cuts to begin with is so the mantle looks like a solid piece of wood, instead of a blocked together piece of wood.