A miter saw is often the best tool to use to cut crown molding.
Also known as cornice, crown molding is a decorative type of trim that stands out for its gracefully flared design.
But because of its flared design, crown molding is a little more difficult to cut than other types of trim, but it still can be done by just about anyone.
With the right tools (your miter saw) and a little knowledge (this guide), you will learn to accurately cut crown molding with ease.
Heres exactly how to cut crown molding with a miter saw.
What Youll Need
As the name of our guide implies, the best way to cut crown molding is with a miter saw.
Heres what youll need:
Step I: Measure And Mark
This project, like most others, starts with accurate measurements.
Use your tape measure to accurately measure the length of the wall where each piece of crown molding will go.
This particular project is very important. Even a mistake of just 1/41 cm will cause major problems.
With that in mind, dont just measure once. To double- or even triple-check your work for accuracy, measure twice or three times.
Once you have accurate measurements, mark down the cut line onto each piece of crown molding with your carpenters pencil.
Consider making each cut slightly longer, say 1/18 to 1/16 of an inch, than it needs to be.
Then fit the pieces together. Continue to snip the extra length off each piece until all the pieces fit together tightly. This will prevent any errors that could make your crown molding ineffective.
Step II: Make The Cut
Now comes the hard part: cutting.
Because you want the two pieces of crown molding to come together seamlessly in a corner, youll likely have to make angled cuts on each end.
This should ensure that the crown molding pieces fit flush together.
Fortunately, most homes have roughly 90 angles in the corners, meaning that each piece must be cut at a 45 angle. This will ensure that each piece is cut at a 45-degree angle. The pieces then join together to make a 90-degree angle.
A miter saw must have an adjustable blade and a swiveling handle to allow you to line up cuts at the right angle.
Make sure that you turn the crown molding on its backside before making any cuts. To minimize damage to the blade’s teeth, you should cut from the back to the front.
Press each piece of crown molding flush with the fence of the miter saw.
It is very useful to have someone help you hold long pieces. Alternatively, you can fashion a support from sawhorses.
Make each cut by running the blade slowly and gently into the crown molding on your cut line.
Step III: Join And Scab
Joining two pieces of crown molding together in a corner is tricky in itself.
This requires precise measurements and angled cuts. It is best to make the cuts slightly longer than necessary, as mentioned previously. You can then trim off small pieces until you get everything just right.
Another situation that is common is the requirement for a longer, straighter piece of crown molding than what is currently available.
This means that if you want to extend a single wall in your home, you will need to join two pieces crown molding.
The intuitive method might be to simply attach two pieces of crown molding together with their flat ends touching.
Unfortunately, this method, while easy, will result in shoddy and unprofessional looking craftsmanship.
Youre much better off making an angled cut on each of the two pieces so that they fit slightly over top each other for a flush look once installed.
Known as scabbing crown molding, adjust the blade to make a 22.5-degree cut at the ends of each piece so that they fit cleanly together in a 45-degree angle.
Final Thoughts
It might seem intimidating to cut crown molding if youve never done it before.
In reality, the project really isnt that hard with the right miter saw and the wherewithal to double check all of your measurements.
Do both of these things, and Im sure that with the help of this guide youll be more than capable of cutting and installing crown molding with zero issues.
We have compiled great DIY ideas that you can use for next projects once you’re done with this project.
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