How Do You Cut Crown Molding

Flat Is Where It’s At

How To Cut Crown Molding For Beginners

Refer to this chart for mitering non-square corners, such as around a bay window or range hood. woodmagazine.com/crownangles

Cutting crown molding while it lies flat on the mitersaw table allows easy cutting of both long and short pieces an unwieldy piece can be firmly clamped to the mitersaw because it doesn’t rest at an angle. Cutting the trim flat calls for some rather complex math to determine the proper settings for the bevel and miter cuts. But don’t worrymitersaw manufacturers have done the math for you and placed markings on the tools for the proper angles: 33.9° on the bevel scale and 31.6° on the miter scale . You’ll see these numbers or some other obvious markings that indicate the “crown” settings. You may have wondered what those markings or stops were for. Now you know.

The Anatomy Of Crown Molding

Crown molding comes in many sizes and styles. Youll notice, though, that most types have these featuresa flat surface at the top, a flat surface at the bottom back, and the corner section is hollow when installed.

You may occasionally run into solid crown molding options where the corner section is solid, but its not as common.

Note that the bottom, in many cases, has a flat surface area thats larger than the top. Youre typically nailing through the bottom, so the larger surface area allows for more room to nail and a more secure hold.

Also, the flat top and flat back sections are 90 degrees to each other so these should fit square into a cornerlike the corner where a wall meets a ceiling.

Of course, not every application using crown molding is for walls and ceilings. In many cases, I use crown molding for furniture pieces to give it some extra detail. And in this case, I used it to trim out a window.

Check out some furniture projects using crown molding here:

Library Bookshelf with Desk

Speed Square

You can cut crown molding many ways, but a miter saw is a quick and easy way, so thats what Im sharing here.

Crown molding can be installed in different orientations. Ill discuss in detail below, but first, lets compare inside vs. outside corners.

Here Is An Easier More Precise Method You Can Use To Cut Crown Molding While It’s Flat On A Miter Saw

Cutting molding on a miter saw can be tricky business. Most techniques for cutting crown molding involve awkwardly holding the crown against the fence of the saw while making the cut. With this method the crown can be laid flat on the saw, which makes the whole process a little easier and a lot more precise.

Note: This method is for cutting crown molding to fit a 90-degree corner.

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Setting Up Your Miter Saw To Cut Templates For 38 Spring Angles

This method of cutting crown molding can be done with any miter saw.

*These two things are constant:

Set your miter saw to bevel left at 33.9 degrees.

Your crown molding always lays flat on the saw.

*These two things willchange depending on the cut you are making.

Miter will change between right and left .

Sometimes the bottom of the molding will rest against the fence. Sometimes it will be the top.

How To Cut Crown Moulding

Crown moulding is often cut with a compound miter saw. A miter saw allows trim to be cut at any angle. The fence and base of the saw mimics where walls and ceilings meet at 90 degrees.

The two main methods for cutting crown moulding are the nested method and the flat method. Both techniques require the use of the powered miter saw. The nested method uses the saw fence and eliminates the need for a bevel cut. The flat method is a compound cut where the bevel and miter angles are cut at the same time.

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Painting And Crown Molding

If you are painting the room where you are planning to install crown mold, paint the room first. If the ceiling and the walls will be two different colors, you don’t have to be too precise when cutting in the edge of the ceiling with a paint brush. The crown mold will cover it up.

You can also paint the crown mold before you install it, then nail it in place, set the nails, putty the nail-holes, and perform any necessary touch-up afterwards. If you have any questions about how to install crown molding, please Contact Us.

Just a quick thought about miter saws. I installed my 2 1/2″ crown molding using the 10″ model shown in the pictures, but when I buy my next miter saw, I will get a larger one , because I want to be able to cut 1x6s and 4x4s, etc.. It all depends on what you plan to use it for. My advice? Plan ahead.

S For Mitering Crown Molding

For a smooth look all the way around your trim that doesn’t require corner pieces or connectors, the job gets a bit more complex. Mitering and coping do give a clean look to your trim, but it is a job for experienced DIYers. These processes are usually reserved for professionals, but if you have experience with mitering and coping, and you can afford to fix any mistakes, you could always try to cut your crown molding this way.

You can use the mitering and coping steps below for our Focal Point crown molding if you prefer a smooth finish, but this is also the method you need for other styles of trim. When you’re working with foam, along with other options such as woods or plaster you may prefer not taking any shortcuts when you’re making your cuts. You need to use high-quality equipment that produces reliable, consistent and clean cuts, all while maintaining strict measurements the whole way through. You may not have all the tools you need already, so be sure you have:

An adjustable protractor
A coping saw

A nail gun

Work carefully with these tools, especially if you aren’t familiar with them. Read their manuals and research how-to guides or watch helpful videos on YouTube to avoid injury or damaging your tools or crown molding. From there, the steps you should take include the following.

Check out this video of Tom Silva from This Old House installing using Focal Point’s Quick Clips system and explaining how to use a miter saw for the inside and outside corner angles!

How To Cut Crown Molding: Non

The advantage to cutting crown molding using this method is that no bevel cut is required. Therefore, when adjusting the saw for out of square corners, the user needs to only adjust the miter system, as opposed to both miter and bevel systems when laying crown materials flat.

All DEWALT Miter Saws have a tall sliding fence to support larger crown molding nested vertically against the fence. When cutting with this method, use the crown stops to support material.

The capacities cutting crown vertically on each saw are as follows:DW713 — up to 4-1/2 crownDW715 — up to 5-1/4 crownDW716 — up to 6-5/8 crownDW718 — up to 6-5/8 crownAlways Remember:When cutting crown molding in this orientation the bottom of the molding goes against the fence.

How To Cut Crown Molding On A Miter Saw

The Simple, Accurate Way to Cut Crown Molding – WOOD magazine

Video Playback Not Supported

Crown molding involves two wood panels that meet at angled edges in the corners between a rooms wall and ceiling. It provides an elegant transition between the wall and ceiling, and it never really goes out of style.

To make miter cuts in crown molding, turn a panel upside down on the miter saw table. This allows the angled back edges to rest against the fence and the table during cutting.

Holding the molding in the right position while you make a cut is the difficult part.

The solution is to hot-glue a piece of 1-by-2 wood to the saw table so it acts as a cleat to hold the molding in the proper position.

Watch the video above for all of the details on this Simple Solution!

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How To Measure Length

Measure for length first and create a cut list that includes length, type of corner, and type of cut. Also consider drawing a chart of the room with all the corners and adding the measurements to itthis can be very useful.

Take the length measurement from where the crown hits the wall, not the ceiling. This is the bottom run of the crown.

The first measurement and cut should be a flush, square cut along the longest wall.

How To Cut Crown Molding Corners With A Handsaw

How to Edge a Laminate Floor

Crown molding is often 4 inches wide, and it sits at a 45-degree angle with respect to both the wall and the ceiling. Cutting the ends so that pieces fit together cleanly can be difficult, especially if the walls aren’t exactly square. Only the most precise craftspeople can do it freehand when using a handsaw everyone else needs the help of a miter box. If you don’t have a miter box, it’s easy to build one by screwing together three straight 1-by-6-inch boards to make a box with an open top and sides.

1.

Prepare the miter box — if you’re making one yourself — by measuring a 45-degree angle on the top edges of the two boards that form the sides of the box, using a combination square. Mark lines on both boards with a pencil, and cut through them with a handsaw. The cut line should extend all the way to the bottom of the box. Cut an identical 45-degree angle that splays in the opposite direction, using the same technique.

2.

Insert a piece of crown molding into the box with its bottom edge facing up. Hold it so that it’s angled against the bottom and side of the box in exactly the same way that it fits against the wall and the ceiling, and cut the end at a 45-degree angle. The top edge of the piece you’re going to use, which is facing down in the box, should be the longer edge.

4.

Miter outside corners in the same way. The difference is that the bottom edge of the piece you’re cutting, which is facing up in the box, is longer than the top.

Tips

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How To Cut Crown Molding Inside Corners

This article was co-authored by Alberto DeJesus and by wikiHow staff writer, Eric McClure. Alberto DeJesus is a Construction Specialist and the CEO of DeJesus Industries. With more than four years of experience, he specializes in high-end real estate development and construction. Alberto and DeJesus Industries have been featured on NBC News and have worked with numerous well-known companies, including Mazda, Amazon, and CVS. Alberto holds a Bachelors degree from Boston University.There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 214,108 times.

There are two ways to cut crown molding for an inside corner. The first method is to cut 2 pieces at an angle and fit them together. This is usually done with a miter saw. This method works best for perfect 90-degree corners where you dont need to worry about compensating for strange angles. The other option is to cope your corners. This is done by installing one piece of crown molding on top of an uncut piece that sits flush with the wall. To do this, youll need to miter one length, then use a coping saw and a file to wear away the wood behind the cut. Coping your corners will result in a tighter fit, but its harder to do and requires more work.

How To Cut Crown Molding:

Label the top and bottom pieces of your crown molding so you know which direction to cut.

2. Begin by making your right-side cut for the inside corner molding: With your miter saw off, move the blade to the left at 45-degree angle. Turn on the saw and cut.

3. To make your left-side cut for the inside corner molding, move your blade to the right at a 45-degree angle, turn on the blade, and cut.

3. To make your right-side cut for outside corner molding, move your blade to the right and cut in a downward motion.

9. For the left-side cut for outside corner molding, move your blade to the left and again make a steady downward motion.

10. Match the seams of the boards up to make sure they align flush.

Now, you’re ready to install!

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Cutting Crown Molding The Right Way: Insider Tips

Any homeowner likely has a love-hate relationship with crown molding. The decorative cornice found running along the ceiling is both functional and aesthetically pleasing, but installing it correctly can be quite a pain due to the precise measurements needed for a perfect fit. Luckily, there are a handful of strategies that can be used to measure, cut, and hang crown molding for a beautiful interior trim with little effort.

This article will mainly cover measuring and cutting crown molding, with a few tips for installing it in your home as well as some recommended tools and places to purchase. Read on to learn everything you need to know about DIY molding on the fly!

Introduction to Crown Molding

Before getting started, its important to know what crown molding is and what purpose it serves. All homes have molding, trim that runs along baseboards, windows, and doors. Crown molding specifically is the interior trim around the ceiling of the home, used to cover exposed seams of the walls and ceiling joining together.

Often made with plaster, crown molding can boast a variety of intricate patterns that draw attention and improve the design of your home. However, it is also sometimes made out of wood or composite, depending on the preferences of the builder. Each material has its benefits and drawbacks worth considering before installing your own.

Cutting Crown Molding

Learning the Different Terminology

Joints

Butt Joint

Miter Joint

Scarf Joint

Coped Joint

Cuts

Preparation

Make Perfect Outside Corners Cut

Now, lets take a look at how to make perfect Outside Corners cut for your moldings.

Here is a quick tip for you, draw a guide. This will ensure that all of your cuts are precisely squared up. And will avoid you from making a wrong move while cutting.

You should place some strips of painters tape on where the molding will rest against your saw table. It helps you to cut with easiness.

After that, make sure youre molding flat against the saws table and fence. Ensure that the bottom edge is against the fence. And the top edge should be against the table.

Use your pencil and draw a line on the painters tape. Draw where exactly the molding rests. That line should be where the top of your molding should end. Repeat the process with the other side.

While making an outside corner cut, start by placing the molding on the right side of the miter joint. And ensure its on the left side of the saw. And everything should be upside down.

Then set your saw to 45 degrees to the right. And place the molding against the guide youve just made. Now, you can start cutting your crown moldings. Repeat the same process on the other side.

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Square Cut Crown Moulding

Square cuts are the simplest and are used to create a butt joint, where the cut end of the moulding fits flush in a corner. Here is how to cut the types of moulding that rest true against a wall.

Measure the distance from corner to corner on the first wall. Transfer the measurement to moulding.

With the miter saw set to 0 degrees, make a straight cut to create the butt joint where the end of the moulding will be flush against the wall in the corner. Its this butt joint that a piece of coped moulding will fit against.
This simple cut is to be used in between crown moulding corner blocks, as described below.

Tips For Using A Miter Saw Safely

How to Cut Crown Molding | This Old House

Always make sure the blade is at full speed before cutting.

Have a firm grip on the piece and make sure that hands are out of the blades path.

Only cut one piece of moulding at a time.

MT Copeland offers video-based online classes that give you a foundation in construction fundamentals with real-world applications, like coping crown moulding. Classes include professionally produced videos taught by practicing craftspeople, and supplementary downloads like quizzes, blueprints, and other materials to help you master the skills.

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For Cuts On Corners Not 90 Degrees

To be honest, once you steer away from 90 degree corners, cutting crown molding flat in the miter saw gets a little complicated.

You can find a chart here with some numbers that may help, and another here, or, you can figure out the angles yourself using a little trigonometry.

However, I find that its a lot easier to just cut it standing up in the saw instead.

I have a full post on how to cut crown molding standing up in the miter saw here. That post also includes tips on how to adjust as needed if your walls are a little off square.

I also explain how to splice two pieces of crown molding together in that post as well, so its full of additional info you might find helpful while cutting crown molding

Once youve cut your molding, its time to install it. Check out this post to learn what type of nail gun is best to use to install moldings and trims.

And if youre ready to practice your cuts, here are some project ideas you can try them out on!