One-eighth of an inch isn’t very big, unless it’s the gap between two pieces of fancy crown molding, caused by cuts made on the wrong side of the cut line. It’s a fundamental mistake, and even seasoned carpenters make it once in a while. My father was a trim carpenter, and to avoid this problem he always put a little tail on the waste side of the cut line, as shown in the drawing.
R. E. Stallings, Carrollton, GA
Edited and Illustrated by Charles Miller
From Fine Homebuilding #68
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I make an "X" on the waste side.
For square cuts on trim I use a fine mechanical pencil (or a sharp utility knife) and a speed square. My mark is a "wing" into the waste side at the top of the cut. It looks like an arrow with only half of the tip. When I make the cut, the rule is "all marks are cut off." Once you make the habit to always do it the same way, it doesn't take any longer than being sloppy. It cuts down on wasted wood and time. I find myself marking framing the same way. I get fewer loose fits and fewer boards that need to be sledge hammered into place.
I never thought of using a squiggly line. I always draw a happy face with a eye patch and pirate hat on the waste side. The squiggly line seems like a time saver.