Tips / tool for cutting skirting

[Bobballs]

Hi,

I need to fit a new fireplace mantel to replace an existing one. When they fitted the existing mantel they cut the skirting so it fit flush but the new mantal is slightly wider and I need to trim off about an inch of skirting each side. I have already had the wall replastered and decorated and am worried about cutting the skirting without damaging the new plaster or creating cracks it when trying to cut / remove the the excess skirting, any tips on the best way to go this or whats the best tool for such a job ?

Cheers

 

[Inky Pete]

If you get one of these:-

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000WQOXV4/ref=nosim/coffeeuk39948-21

it'll cut your skirting boards in situ no problem at all.

You'll then find all sorts of other things for it to do, and pretty soon wonder how you ever managed without it!

 

[^woody^]

If you have a drill and [sharp] chisel, then just drill a series of vertical holes leaving a few mm to the cut line required, and then finish off with the chisel - by pushing it rather than hitting it with a mallet/hammer.

You may even be able to trim it with a sharp stanley knife instead of the chisel

Or cut with a tenon saw, place a bit of hardboard or something up against the plaster so you don't damage it, and a block of wood vertically to give you a straight cut line. You wont get all the way through with this, but your remainder can be cut with a stanley knife