Cutting Crown Molding

[ssgtcasper]

How does one cut Crown Molding? Simple 90 degree corners. I have a power miter saw. NOT COMPOUND. Please help. Thanks

[Lou_williams]

You have to set the crown molding on the saw with the molding set against the base and fence at the angle that it will be installed except that the top of the molding should be set on the base of the saw. You might want to clamp a scrap of wood on the base to set the molding at the right angle. You then adjust the saw to cut the 45 degree angle for your corner. If you know how to cope a corner then that is the best way to make the cut.

[ssgtcasper]

I do not know how to cope crown molding. Please advise. Thank you for the other information.

[Lou_williams]

There is two different ways to make an inside corner miter. The standard is to cut 2 45's and match them. The issue with this is that it is very hard to make both angles just right. The wall may not be square and the changes in humidity could cause it to open at time of the year.

A cope cut is much more hand work but a better tighter joint. The first board is cut at 90 and goes into the corner. The second cut is made at 45 degrees. The 45 degree cut gives a edge where the normal molding front edge and the miter meet. It is that edge that is important. You use a copping saw, a small hand jig saw type of tool to back cut along that line. You cut the edge a few degrees back from the molded surface. Then when it is placed up to the other board the it fits the surface of the molding like a glove.

It is hard to explane in words and you might want to check out some books and video's for the pictures to go with this. The TV show hometime on PBS has shown this technique a few times.

Good luck