Fitting Skirting Board: It is a job for a pro?

Choggy · Post by **Choggy** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 11:04 am

I need to fit new skirting to a couple of walls (one of which has a bay window). I've never done any carpentry (tho I'm a very practical person and am certainly interested to learn), but I haven't the first idea where to start.

Is it a difficult job? If so, perhaps I should just call in a pro (despite the fact that I'd really like to learn how to do it myself and am keen to save a bit of dosh if I can do a job myself)? If it's something that a beginner can do, does anyone know of How To article (I've googled, but can't see anything)?

Thanks in advance

skiking · Post by **skiking** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 11:13 am

Try this link for starters

If your still not sure just ask specific questions and you'll get the advice you need

Choggy · Post by **Choggy** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 12:17 pm

Thanks Skiking, that certainly has given me a basic grounding in putting up the skirting.

There's going to be two external angles and neither of them will be 45 degrees because they are at the corner of a bay. I have no idea how to use a mitre or how to work out what angle the joint will need to be. Can you help?

Two of the internal joints (again, in they bay) aren't 45 degrees either... how do I get them right?

Post by **ultimatehandyman** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 4:51 pm

Hi Choggy,

for angles that are not 90 degrees you ned an angle finder like this-

http://www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp?PI ... --Anglefix

Then you take the measurements and transfer them directly to the mitre saw-

owen · Post by **owen** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 7:04 pm

choggy, if you are painting the skirting then it is definitely worth having a go yourself, as filler can hide a lot of bad joints

if however you want to leave the wood natural/stain it, then you may find it a lot harder to get acceptable joints so it may be worth getting a chippy in

panlid · Post by **panlid** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 7:24 pm

i hate doing skirtings. only marginally more than fitting doors.
all that kneeling and then standing and dealing with crumbly plaster in old houses.

tim'll fix it · Post by **tim'll fix it** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 8:29 pm

panlid wrote:i hate doing skirtings. only marginally more than fitting doors.
all that kneeling and then standing and dealing with crumbly plaster in old houses.

anything you do like fitting

panlid · Post by **panlid** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 9:38 pm

im thinking

Scrit · Post by **Scrit** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 10:58 pm

Could be worse, panlid, youy could have to repair those wonderful plaster skirtings found in some Victorian houses......

Scrit

panlid · Post by **panlid** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 11:05 pm

i could but i wouldnt turn up

i like fitting stairs, knocking walls down, framing walls but above all else i love filling skips

wood4fun · Post by **wood4fun** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 9:24 pm

i love filling skip

panlid · Post by **panlid** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 9:27 pm

good work out

Choggy · Post by **Choggy** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 1:23 pm

ultimatehandyman wrote:Hi Choggy,

for angles that are not 90 degrees you ned an angle finder like this-

http://www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp?PI ... --Anglefix

Then you take the measurements and transfer them directly to the mitre saw-

Blimey, is there ever an end to the number of tools you need to get a job done?! Mechano and lego were a whole lot easier than this... it's a shame you can't build a house outta 'em :-/

Can Mitre saws be hired?

Post by **ultimatehandyman** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 10:29 pm

You can hire an electrically powered one, which will make it easier or you can buy a hand powered mitre saw for about £20

panlid · Post by **panlid** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 10:32 pm

if you are planning to do your own skirts i would say you are into a bit of diy. surely buying an electric one for 20 quid makes sense in the long run?