I am replacing my bathroom vanity and the new one is a little bigger, what is the best way to cut the baseboard so that the new one will fit?

Hi Rrrysarah

The easiest thing to do would be to buy a smaller vanity... ;) But, if that won't work then as long as you don't need to mess with the piping and only need to cut the baseboard, then removing the end cap and using a sawzall (reciprocating saw) with a small bimetal saw blade will be your best bet to cut the unit while it is in place.

Here, you would put the guard of the sawzall up tight to the baseboard and then make a straight cut down through the baseboard shell... will be super noisy, but this works great in most cases! Install the end cap back in place and that should be all that is needed.

Another option might be to use an angle grinder or a dremel tool and a metal cutting wheel and make the cut that way.

Questions? Let me know...

Mark

Multitool from Harbor freight tools $20 very handy for such task.

Sorry Mark, I have to go with Harold this time. I have one of the HF units and they are great, use them all the time for similar purpose.

No issue here, Brian... :) I've seen the tool you guys are talking about, but have never used it.

I'd be interested to know which cutting blade you guys would use for this job?

Let me know, OK?

Thanks!

Mark, for most cuts like this I use the 1 3/8 straight cutter and do a plunge cut. For longer straight cuts I use the half round blade. For cutting door casing bottoms for tile clearance I use the 1/2 round. Set it on a wooden spacer and go right around the casing. The only drawback is that the blades are expensive but HF always has a 20% off coupon and the customer pays for it anyway. I just put 4 glass panels in a 6 panel wooden door, cut such a straight, thin kerf, I could put the cut out trim edge back on with caulk. Check one out. Brian

I love the multitool. We recently painted our upstairs, removed all the baseboards to put up new ones, and of course had to do the usual patch jobs on the walls, etc. etc.

I used the multitool to help cut out some of the baseboards lodged in tight spaces, I also used it to fix a very large hole in my wall (expanded the hole, cut the drywall piece for the hole, and then when it was filled in and dry, I even used the multitool to sand it). I sanded all the other patch jobs with the multitool as well.

Best little tool ever. :)

Good idea Mark but not sure about that Barbor Freight version for $20 unless you want to think of it as a Bic disposable lighter. Dreml, Fein and others all make versions which will last. It is a great tool, won't use it every week but when you need it you'll be very happy you own it.

Good idea Mark but not sure about that Barbor Freight version for $20 unless you want to think of it as a Bic disposable lighter. Dreml, Fein and others all make versions which will last. It is a great tool, won't use it every week but when you need it you'll be very happy you own it.

To be fair. Mine isn't the one pictured.

I'd have to go look to see the brand name. It's cordless, and wonderful. Definitely more then $20. I think we paid $100 on sale, but it's worth every penny.

It's replaced a lot of my usual tools.

I see Dreml has a cordless along with Craftsman. Oddly, Craftsman is now sold at Costco and Menards. I have found over the years any electric tool for under $100 is a BIC.

I see Dreml has a cordless along with Craftsman. Oddly, Craftsman is now sold at Costco and Menards. I have found over the years any electric tool for under $100 is a BIC.

LOL!

I buy expensive tools, but only when they're on sale. Through the years I've gotten a very nice lathe (small, but efficient), for $90. The regular price was over $500. I also have a great orbital sander. I paid $50, regular price was over $150.

The multitool I have was regular $300 plus. They had a sale and I nabbed it for $100.

I have to say, it's a great tool, and I've used it a lot since we got it. The battery even lasts a long time. In fact, I sanded my entire family room, hallway, and foyer, and I only had to recharge the battery once. Even recharging didn't take long at all.

I'll go take a look at what mine is. Just have to find it. ;)

Mine is a master craft cordless multi cutter.

Got to say, I love it. It can do everything and more, and I do use it for a lot of the wood working that I do.

I recommended the Harbor Freight electric version because I got the impression that Rrrysarah would only be making a couple of cuts occasionally. I don't think I would recommend the Harbor Freight cordless version but the corded electric version should preform quite well. After all, all the tool does is oscillate. Only difference in brands should be speed. Like any cutting tool the important part is the blade
I have the Bosh cordless with the lithium batteries (love lithium batteries). I chose the cordless version for the convenience, thinking I would only be using it for occasional cut in tight quarters.
So far I have used it for cutting out the glass side panels of an entry door. Without it, I would have had to remove the entire door to replace the decayed frame of the side panel. I have used it to cut out strips of hardwood flooring that needed to be replaced. I also used it to cut out some damage cove molding where the inside miter cuts were coped. If I had had to remove the molding I would have had to start on the opposite side of the room.
It is not a fast cutting tool but it allows you to have a great deal of control and it allows you to get into tight places. I don't recommend the Harbor Freight blades. The last blades I purchased were Fein, the original maker of the Multitool. I believe it was a package of three for about $35. Out last the cheaper brands so much they end up being less expensive.

For you Mark, I would go with a Bosh, Milwaukee, or some other brand name. Incidentally, I have also used it to cut small copper pipe when things were so close you couldn't get a mini cutter in. If you are patient you can actually cut a 2x4 into with it. I have taken to carrying it on my truck just in case I need it.