We are having all the first floor rooms painted but we would like to leave the wallpaper above a chair rail in one room. The edges of the wallpaper are a little tattered in the doorways. I plan to install ¾” corner board, top to bottom, to cover and protect the wallpaper.

Question - How would you recommend cutting ¾” from the ends of chair rails without damaging the wallpaper above it.

 

 

Emil, that was the same answer I got from my son. A handsaw is going to have to do unless I can borrow one. I only have 4 rail ends to cut. Otherwise I never do any woodworking.

 

I've got a Dremel multi-tool/saw I use for stuff like that. It does quite well.

 

Something like that might be the answer; thanks Sam. I've never owned a Dremel tool but almost every household has one. I do have something very similar for doing dog's toenails. I have used it for sanding, etc. before. Have to see what I've got in the way of tips.

 

Dremel multi max is the one I've got. Come to think of it, I have two. I forgot I had the one and then went and bought another. They're really quite handy, Lowes has a lot of different attachment bits you can use with them.

The little saw blade bits get into some really tight spots without tearing up the wood around it. Really useful.

 

Pry the chair rail slightly away from the wall using a putty knife. Slip a piece of cardboard behind the chair rail to protect the wallpaper and cut away.

 

Dave we use a Milwaukee 2626-20 undercut saw at work. It provides clean cuts and is easy to manage.

 

Dave, I have one I never use that I would be glad to give you. However, I think the distance between us would be prohibitive.

 

I was thinking something similar. Cutting both sides of rail end edge with a razor, prying up the end with a small trim crow bar or putty knife and slipping something behind it. Perhaps even taping it along the cut line to avoid splintering. All my cutting tools are in my outer garage. I'm having a little trouble getting around at the moment so I can't say what I'll end up with. I do have a neighbor that loves making saw dust so he may have a dremel or oscellating saw.

Thanks for the offer Gene. If I bought one it would likely get about the same amount of use.