Template for Bullnose Base Corners
Use a simple jig made from scrap boards to measure the length of base trim for a curved corner.
When installing base trim in a house with bullnose corners, determining the length of the base that runs into an outside corner can be tricky. This simple jig allows me to get accurate measurements the first time, without a lot of trial and error. To create the jig, I simply build a corner out of scrap boards all with 22.5° miters. Before I assemble them, I trim down the small corner board and align it with the bottoms of the side boards. The void that is left at the top center of the assembly creates the perfect guide for marking where the ends of the baseboards line up on each wall.
— James Martin; Turlock, Calif.
From Fine Homebuilding #329
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THis makes no sense.
Once you have those pencil marks you can measure to them and get the lengths of the base to the left and right of the miter.
When author says, ”I trim down the small corner board”, at first I thought he meant trimming it down to fit the two side pieces of baseboard, which made no sense as a solution, as first commenter said. However, the phrase means he has trimmed the small middle piece (**which is also cut with 22.5° miters- author said ALL scrap boards in the jig had 22.5° miters), by cutting down its HEIGHT, which produces a space to make the pencil marks. Commenter #2 apparently could see this. I could not, so I thank commenter 1, which made me take a second look.
It is a good tip, now that I understand it. A simple edit is advised: add “three” after “scrap boards all” & add “the height” after “trim down”. Presto- much clearer.
I guess I’d also add that if you pin nail your 3 piece corner jig together and put it in place, you could skip marking it at all and measure to the long point of the left and right base with the 22 degree miter. Measuring and marking the long point of a miter is usually easier and more accurate.
After cutting all the long pieces I’d make the short middle pieces- probably double what I needed as inevitably some will be a 1/16 short or longer than you need. Put them in two cups- short and long and you’ll should have plenty that fit tight without going back to the saw.