I need to cut down about 4cm th legs of a wooden mantel since I have now fitted an elevated hearth. It is an odd cut and I am wondering if it would best doing it with an electric saw rather than a manual saw.
If the answer is yes, what sort of electric saw?
If I understood the question correctly, I would use an oscillating tool for something like this. They are pretty forgiving and allow precise cuts very close to the ground. The main downside I can think of is that it might be slower than using a jamb saw.
You'll either use a flexible, fine-toothed handsaw or what's called a "jamb saw"--a circular saw set up to cut very close to the floor. Which you choose is your prerogative.
If you use a hand saw, which may be adequate for just two cuts, lay a piece of sheet metal on the floor (and height spacer, if needed) to protect it, and use your hand, protected by heavy gloves, to keep the saw tight to the floor.
With either saw the biggest risk is damage to your woodwork through splintering. Always direct the cut into the workpiece to prevent blowout.
