How to cut Crown Molding

Learning how to cut crown molding is a tricky process, but with a little guidance and the right tools, you can get a handle on how much time and effort goes into this project, and then you can practice on simple applications before embarking on more complicated corners. Utilizing the proper tools and methods can help save you thousands of dollars on having someone else come into your home and install it for you.

Installing crown molding and trim can be intimidating because of the intricacies in how to cut the perfect compound miter joint, and there are dozens of tools out that claim to help you cut crown molding the right way. However, you only need to be armed with a little knowledge and a basic set of tools to really cut crown molding properly.

The most important first step is to get an idea of what type of molding you want to install. Take some time to look at magazines and online for styles you like. Then head to your local home improvement store, or crown molding shop and find the proper crown molding for your design.

Crown molding is a piece of wood that is placed along the seams where the ceiling hits the wall. The top and bottom edges are beveled (cut at 45-degrees) so both parts lie flat against the wall and ceiling to form a 90-degree triangle. For wall corners, the two pieces of crown must be joined together with a miter joint, which is made by beveling the ends of each piece of crown that needs to be joined.

You will need a miter saw--a circular saw, fence and miter index--to cut this type of joint. The fence is a straight edge to align the crown against, and the miter index provides an angle for the blade to cut in relation to the fence.

Practice on scrap molding first, so you don’t have to worry about your first cuts.

To cut miter joints, you will need these materials and tools:

• Compound miter saw
• Crown molding
• Scrap wood
• Safety equipment such as goggles and gloves

There are two basic ways to cut crown molding. You can utilize a miter saw, which has no blade tilt, prop the crown molding up against your fence and set the miter angle. This technique is referred to as "upside-down and backwards." Alternatively, you can use a compound miter saw and lay the crown molding flat and face up. You will then set the miter and blade tilt adjustment.

You don't need an expensive saw to cut crown molding. The most important thing is to know how to use it properly. Also, the size of your crown molding will determine the size of saw you need. For example a:

• 10-inch saw will cut five-inch-wide crown
• 12-inch saw will cut six-inch-wide crown
• 12-inch sliding compound miter will cut up to about 10-inch-wide crown

Follow these steps to create your first test cuts:

1. Turn a scrap piece of crown molding upside down
2. Hold this piece against the saw table and the fence so the small angled areas on the back of the crown are held tight against each surface
3. Position the crown so the saw creates a hollow area behind the molding
4. Set your saw at a 45-degree angle and make a test cut. The bottom edge of the molding should be the longest part of the piece

To create the left component of the outside joint, follow the instructions below:

1. Place the crown molding on the left side of the saw and turn it upside down. Press the crown against the fence on a diagonal (the bottom should be flat against the fence while the top lies on the cutting plane, forming a right-hand triangle)
2. Angle the saw 45-degrees to the right
3. Turn the saw on and place it over the area where you want to make the cut. Push the saw downwards and away from you

For the right side of the outside joint, follow the same instructions but place the crown on the right side of the saw instead of the left side.

To create an inside joint follow these steps:

1. For the right component of the inside joint, place the crown diagonally on the right side of the saw. Swing the saw 45 degrees to the right and make the cut
2. The left component is created in the same way, but place the crown diagonally on the left side of the saw

Now that you have a handle on how to cut crown molding, you will need to learn how to install it properly. This technique takes quite a bit of practice, but is easy enough once you have the proper tools and the right method. Just practice with some of your scraps and make certain that you have properly cut the molding first.

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