9 Essential Baseboard Tools

Baseboard installation covers multiple preparations like planning, measuring, cutting, fine-tuning, installation, painting, caulking, and many others.

In this post, I will review the must-have baseboard tools.

Listed below are the top baseboard tools you require for a successful baseboard installation.

DISCLOSURE: TheRuggedRooster.com is reader supported so if you buy any products featured on this site I may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Read my full disclosure here.

1. Measuring Tape

A tape measure gives you incredible functionality and agility when measuring the walls and baseboards.

Although a measuring laser is accurate and convenient, it cannot work in tight corners.

Still, it cannot double-check your board’s length.

2. A Bullnose Corner Gauge

This tool simplifies trim installation around bullnose, rounded corners.

It creates marks on the baseboard or wall for clean mitre cuts around the bullnose corners.

In my opinion, you need to have this tool if you have over three bullnose corners in your project.

3. Carpenter’s Pencil

Although you can substitute this tool with other pens, nothing exceeds the benefits offered by a carpenter’s pencil.

You can also use any other pencil.

You will use a pencil to apply marks and measurements on the studs, baseboards, walls or even make notes and calculations.

Before you start any carpentry project, ensure you have a piece of paper and pencil.

4. Compound Mitre Saw

A compound mitre saw is one of the essential baseboard cutting tools.

Other mitre saws you can use include sliding mitre saw, chop saw, and dual compound mitre saw.

Merely put, a mitre is a joint between two wood pieces.

As you install your baseboard, you will have several mitres for outside corners, inside corners, 135-degree angles, and bullnose corners.

As a result, you need a compound mitre saw to perform all the standard and tricky cuts.

The other types of mitre saws described above are perfect for wide or tall baseboards.

5. Coping Saw

A coping saw is intended to assist you to cope baseboards to provide a seamless and pleasant transition.

You will require it when coping baseboard with shapes, profiles and curvature.

Remember that carpenters use a combination of mitre saw, sanding paper and files to get a perfect cope.

Coping entails creating cuts or a couple of cuts to create a beautiful profile shape on the baseboard.

6. Sandpaper

You will use sanding paper at some time in your project. It cleans up the mitre cuts, fixes loose baseboard fragments and snags to prepare the pieces for painting.

7. Nailset

Nailsets come in handy if you plan to use a hammer to install the baseboard nails.

In general, nail sets will help you set the nails beneath the surface of the baseboard, so you can stain, paint or cover them.

Still, you can use them with air nailers when things get out of hand.

It’s worth noting they are available in different sizes based on your nail head’s size.

8. Hammer

A hammer is a must-have tool when installing baseboards.

It can help you install or remove baseboards.

The other thing is you can use it to hammer in nails that fail to get into the wall properly or pry baseboards from the wall.

Hammers might also be helpful in temporary scenarios like striking away the excess drywall.

9. Caulking Gun

Ideally, you will have a small gap between the wall and the installed baseboard.

Based on how large or small the hole is, it will help if you apply a bead of caulk in the space.

Bestseller No. 1
Milescraft Inc. 8402 AngleFinder
  • Retractable edge guides for layout
  • Finds angles between two points on inside or outside corners
  • Angle divider for easy miter saw setup
  • Notches for holding bar clamps upright when framing
  • Used for transferring and replicating marks and angles accurately- does not provide exact angle as measurement
SaleBestseller No. 2
Goldblatt Trim Puller, Removal Multi-Tool for Commercial Work, Baseboard, Molding, Siding and Flooring Removal, Remodeling
  • Trim Saving - The trim removal tool has a larger, flatter and wider contact area than clumsy traditional tools and features an integrated wedged center that provides increased removal efficiency and prevents damage to both the trim and wall.
  • Sturdy Pry Bars - Our trim puller is made from carbon steel and 65Mn steel with black electrophoretic and polished finish, which protects against corrosion and gives our pry bar added durability and strength. So the Trim Puller is a very beefy tool, and it will hold up well to repeated whacking.
  • Multi-Function - Ideal for commercial work, repair and remodel projects where care and precision are needed, including cabinets, countertops, flooring, and many more. It can be used on a kitchen remodel, removing a couple of sections of baseboard, a countertop from some base cabinets, and pulling up a ceramic tile floor. The very edge can also be used to pry up the staples.
  • Ergonomic Handle - All our trim puller is built with an ergonomic, comfortable and textured dipped handle. An impact-absorbing TPR+PP handle makes it comfortable to hold, though.
  • Revolutionary Tool - Our Trim Puller is a very beefy tool. The Built-in spring design assists in separating the trim from the wall freely and quickly. The 15-degree wedged center is for easy extraction of trim and baseboards.Goldblatt holds a U.S. patent for this Trim Puller, patent number US 11,142,921.
Bestseller No. 3
NXPOXS 2-Pack Bullnose Corners Trim Gauge for 10-030 Crown Molding Marking Tools
  • Made of durable ABS plastic material.
  • Work on 3/4-inch rounded drywall corners and help you layout perfect lines for tight-fitting three-piece corners
  • Save time and make it easy to install rounded bullnose corners with this bullnose trim tool.
  • Package include 2pcs bullnose trim gauge.
Bestseller No. 4
LEXIVON Aluminum Miter Saw Protractor | 7-Inch Rust Proof Angle Finder Featuring Precision Laser Engraved Scales (LX-230)
  • ACCURATE - Crafted from CNC-machined Anodized Aluminum Alloy Steel. Features easy-to-read precision laser engraved scales.
  • DESIGN - Internal Teflon O-ring mechanism swivels during operation and ensures smooth & precise read on inside/outside corners.
  • FORGET ABOUT THE GUESSWORK - Two scales transfer your work angle directly to the miter saw for an accurate Miter cut, and Single cut.
  • DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME! - Perfect for crown molding, trim work, plumbing, and a variety of other carpentry applications.
  • QUALITY - The 1/4-Inch thick aluminum alloy is stronger and won't bend like the plastic ones | Backed by our Lifetime Limited Warranty for your complete peace of mind!
SaleBestseller No. 5
Rerdeim 5Pcs Putty Knife, Set, 1" 2" 3" 4" 5" Scraper, Spackle Knife, Paint Scraper, Scraper Tool, No Rusting, Perfect For Repairing Drywall, Removing Wallpaper, Mud, Plaster Scraping
  • 【Multipurpose】5pcs Spackling Knives Different Sizes Are Available, Perfect For Putty, Wallpaper, Applique, Backing, Repair, Paint, Plaster, Including Drywall, Decals, Plaster, Baking, Spackling, Patching, Stucco And Much More, Can Be Used To Repair All Kinds Of Dents, Cracks, Holes, Spackle Tool Suitable For Any Work Project
  • 【Will Not Corrode】Putty Knives Use of High-quality Stainless Steel Material, not Rust, Solid Corrosion Resistance, Easy To Clean, no Need To Worry About Deformation And Breakage. Is The Perfect Metal Scraper Tool
  • 【Comfortable Grip】The Handle Part Is A Perfect Combination Of Soft Rubber And Plastic, Retains Sturdiness And Durability While Ensuring A Comfortable Grip. Also Designed With Holes For Easy Storage
  • 【Family Essentials】What You Get: 1inch Putty Knife, 2inch Putty Knife, 3inch Putty Knife, 4inch Putty Knife, And 5inch Putty Knife; come With 5 Different Sizes Meet Your Different Using Requirements, can Be Used As Paint Scraper Tool, Wallpaper Remover, Drywall Knife Set And Most
  • 【Customer Commitment】our Commitment to Rerdeim Has Always Been Committed To Providing Customers With Higher Quality Products And A Comfortable Customer Experience. If You Have Any Concerns Or Questions About This Product, Please Feel Free To Contact Us. We, Will, Get Back To You Within 72 Hours.
Bestseller No. 6
Rust-Oleum Zinsser 98018 Multi-Purpose Straight Edge Tool Paint Guide, 23-Inch
  • The product is 23" Straight Edge Tool
  • Easy to use
  • The product is manufactured in China
  • Ideal for cutting trim
  • Strong stainless steel blade
Bestseller No. 7
Glieskir Spring Loaded Nail Set Tools,2-PCS Dual Head Nail Setter and Hinge Pin Punch Set, Hammerless 1/16″& 3/32″Spring Nail Set, Super Strong Force Door Pin Removal Tool
  • High Quality-The Spring-Loaded Nail Set Tool Is Made Of High-Quality Heat-Treated Hardened Steel. The High-Quality Spring Can Provide Strong Impact Without A Hammer, Making Your Work More Efficient
  • Easy Use- Just Aim The End At The Place Where You Want To Work, Pull It Apart And Release The Spring To Produce A Strong Impact Force, Which Works Perfectly In Some Places Where Traditional Hammers Cannot Work
  • Extensive Use-Finishing Nails And Marks For Wood, Metal, Glass Surfaces. Removing Or Squaring Up Hinge Pins, Also Works As A Transfer Punch For Fabrication Projects, Making These Tools Essential For Any Carpenter Or Finisher
  • Set Includes-The Set Includes One Dual Head Nail Setter With Head Sizes Of 1/16″& 3/32″And One 1/8 ″ Hinge Pin Remover Punch
  • We Stand Behind 0ur Products 100% And Are Committed To Fulfilling Our Customers’ Needs. If You Are Unsatisfied With Your Purchase, Get In Touch With Us And We Will Be More Than Happy To Assist You.
SaleBestseller No. 8
ALLWAY CT31 3-in-1 Caulk Tool for Removal and Application
  • Multifunction 3-in-1 Caulk Tool: Comfortable soft-grip and made from strong engineering plastic
  • Remove Old Caulk: Push or pull the stainless-steel blade to quickly remove old caulk
  • Smooth Freshly Laid Caulk: Rotatable silicone triangle features 3 bead profiles for caulk beads (narrow, medium, or wide)
  • Easy Clean Up: Plastic scraper can be used for additional removal and clean-up of materials
  • Versatile Design: Works with acrylic, latex, and silicone caulk and is handy for window, bath, and shower projects
SaleBestseller No. 9
Titan 11509 9-1/4-Inch Stainless Steel Pry Bar Scraper
  • Features a nail puller, razor sharp scraper edge, and an angled edge for pulling and prying
  • Angled edge is ideal for pulling apart walls, prying off moldings, tiles, wood slats, and removing baseboards and trims; angled end is designed with a chiseled edge so it can wedge into tight spaces
  • Razor-sharp scraper edge is perfect for removing caulk, adhesives, paint and residue from glass, metal, and hard surfaces
  • Use nail puller slot to extract nails, tacks, and studs
  • Constructed with high quality stainless steel that will prevent corrosion and rusting, sturdy stem won’t bend or crack during use
Bestseller No. 10
Bates- Nail Puller, Pliers, Nail Remover Tool, Cutting Pliers, Carpenter Tools, Staple Puller, Nail Puller Tool, End Cutting Pliers, Nail Remover, Nail Pliers Cats Paw Nail Puller, Nail Pulling
  • 7” End Cutting Plier, Nail Puller
  • Made From High Carbon Steel For Long Lasting Performance And Preventing Rust
  • Soft Plastic Coated Grip
  • Dual Use End Nipper Pliers To Cut Wires Or Nails Or Simply Pull Them Out
  • Perfect For Carpenters, Construction, Handymen, Installing New Floor, Etc.

So, What Are The Essential Tools For Installing Baseboards?

Here are the 9 required baseboard tools

  1. Measuring tape
  2. Bullnose Corner Gauge
  3. Carpenters Pencil
  4. Compound Metre Saw
  5. Coping Saw
  6. Sandpaper
  7. Hammer
  8. Caulking Gun

When it comes to essential baseboard tools, you should stay away from tools you cannot efficiently operate.

Some tools are dangerous, and using them with minimal experience can lead to deadly injuries.

Last update on 2025-03-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API