Crown Molding Miters
Cutting miters in crown molding can get tricky due to the compound angles involved. Here are three methods to make it a breeze.
Q: In a crown-molding shelf project in a recent woodworking magazine, the instructions call for mitering the ends of the crown molding but don't say how. Wouldn't this kind of operation involve compound angles?
— Bill Beaton, Gibons, B.C.
A: Yes, mitering crown molding does require cutting compound angles, Bill, but you don't need a compound mitersaw to do it.
If you have a standard mitersaw, cut the molding "upside down," as shown at right. The jig makes this task easier by preventing the molding from slipping as you cut. It consists of a couple of hardboard scraps and solid wood cleats adhered to the saw with double-faced tape. Using this setup, you can cut your molding to length, relying on the saw's built-in 45° and 90° stops.
If you have a compound mitersaw, lay the molding flat on the table. Set the miter angle at 31.62° — a positive stop on many compound mitersaws— and the bevel angle at 33.86° (34° is close enough).
You can accomplish these cuts at the tablesaw, too. But you'll need to make test cuts in scrap to get the angles just right.
The WOOD® magazine editors
If you like this project, please check out more than 1,000 shop-proven paper and downloadable woodworking project plans in the WOOD Store.
Add your comment
Please confirm your comment by answering the question below and clicking "Submit Comment."
if you also mark on your fence where the crown stops, you can cut a small scrap at that measurement to use as a jig when you prepare to install. use that piece of scrap to mark all the corners, centers, and any places where you may have a joint by pushing the scrap to the ceiling then tracing the bottom. that mark will be exactly where your crown needs to be to get your miters perfect.
12/9/2011 03:12:31 AM Report Abuselol@whwoodworking. though my dewalt 12 inch miter saw has compound, I have only used the method above. it is fast and accurate. I never used a jig though, if the fence on your miter saw is 6 inches (kinda rare) you really dont need one. set your crown upside-down on the saw and hold it so the flats that would sit on the wall and ceiling are flush on the base and fence on your saw.
12/9/2011 03:12:08 AM Report AbuseOops, sorry, didn't read the whole thing. That's covered. :-/
12/8/2011 08:55:43 PM Report AbuseLook up the "upside down and backwards" technique. Uses only the 45 degree setting. Much easier than the above.
12/8/2011 08:53:52 PM Report Abuse