If you are trying to decorate your house and make it look elegant and stylish, you might need to learn how to cut crown molding with a miter saw. While crown molding makes any room look finished, you can’t cut it with any tool.
If you don’t want to ruin expensive materials, you have to find out how to cut crown molding with a miter saw, the perfect instrument for such work. Before you start, you have to find a reliable miter saw.
If you already have it, read my recommendations, and you will quickly finish any design you started.
Contents
Details on Cutting Crown Molding
Read this guide and learn how to cut crown molding inside corners with a miter saw. Pick the angle, adjust the blade, and follow the instructions. Find out when you need to use bevel cut, miter cut, and how to cut crown molding outside corners with a miter saw.
How to make the first cut
The whole process of cutting crown molding with a compound miter saw is not as difficult as you might think. It does require your total concentration and attention to detail, but after the first time, you will cut materials in no time.
These recommendations are made for the standard cuts that can be done by the owner of a miter saw without any experience.
How to cut crown molding with a miter saw
Now you are getting closer to the process of cutting crown molding to the pieces you need. I believe I don’t have to remind you to take measurements of your walls since you have probably done it in advance.
Keep in mind that you need to wear protective goggles to cut crown molding corners with a miter saw. Make sure your fingers are far from the blade. It is better to cut the material upside down with your miter saw since crown molding is better attached to the wall with flat edges. Without flat crown molding cut angles, there can be a problem with fitting.
How to find spring angle of crown molding
In short, the spring angle is the angle on crown molding formed from its back to the wall. You have to find out this indicator before you cut anything if you want to find the right setting on a miter saw or table saw. With the incorrect setting, your materials will not fit together. You will have to repair the gaps or even get rid of the wasted product.
Three major spring angles are:
- 52 degrees;
- 45 degrees;
- 38 degrees.
Here is a step-by-step instruction:
- You have to cut a tiny piece of crown molding so that you can measure the spring angle with it.
- Adjust the molding to the wall or ceiling for installation.
- Take the measurements starting from the wall to the roof to the point where molding is attached to the ceiling.
- Take the measurements proceeding from the ceiling and go down to the wall and the place where molding is attached to the wall.
- Put the molding down. You have to match the measurements together. If the ceiling measurement is the longer one, the angle equals 52 degrees. If the wall measurement is the longest, you have a 38-degree angle. If both are equal, you have a 45-degree angle.
Cutting crown molding inside corners
Here is the easiest way to search for the compound angles for crown molding. The inside corner is 45 degrees, no matter whether you are going with your saw from the right or the left side.
Yet, make sure you turn the blade according to the cut you have to make: for the left side of your wall, the angle must be 45 to the right and vice versa.
Here is the detailed instruction on how to cut crown molding flat with a compound miter saw for the inside corner:
- Pick the angle of 33.85 degrees, and tilt the blade to the left for a bevel cut. For a miter cut, turn the blade right to 31.62 degrees.
- Make cuts and stick to the left side since you will use it there.
- Flip the molding. Make sure that the bottom faces the top.
- Don’t change the degrees but make cuts on the opposite sides. Just follow the first two steps in the reverse way.
Cutting crown molding outside corners
If the room is not standard and has over four corners, it is better to use the following technique. You can use the inside corners’ instruction as well. Keep in mind that you still have to take measurements in advance. Follow the next instructions:
- Place the bottom of the molding away once cutting. A bevel cut must be 33.85 angles, and a miter cut — 31.62 degrees to the left.
- Cut the material, saving the right end to later use it on the outside corner.
- Flip the molding, putting the top of it on the opposite side of you. Repeat the degree adjustments with the reverse sides. A miter cut must be right, not left.
- Repeat the second step.
How to cut crown molding flat and vertically nested
There are two popular types of cutting the crown molding joints. I have already described the flat method, and there is also a vertical method. A vertically nested cut does not require any extra knowledge on how to set a miter saw for crown molding. It is simple.
All you need is to adjust the tape on the table to remind you of the proper accommodation of the crown molding’s top. You can use this technique for both inside and outside cuts. Keep in mind the following details:
- the bottom of the molding must be placed against the fence;
- the top must be located against the table;
- the flats on the back of crown molding have to be on the fence and base of the saw squarely.
FAQ on Cutting Crown Molding
Read these popular questions I have found online. You might need answers to continue your work. If you have more to add, you can do it in the comments.
Why does crown molding have to be cut upside down?
It is usually made to narrow the edge for the wall butts against the fence and the top edge of crown molding that meets the ceiling to rest on the saw table. The molding will be tipped on the saw to repeat the spring angle position on the wall. You will see all the problems in advance this way.
How to cut crown molding inside the corner 22.5 degrees?
You can make cuts at different angles. Yet, 22.5 degrees is quite a popular choice. It is needed to install the baseboard or molding at home. To cut it, you have to follow the next steps:
- Unlock the gauge.
- Set up 45 degrees.
- Make a 45-degree jig and clamp it to the blade.
- Put the wood under the blade in the line with the jig.
- Choose a 22.5-degree angle on the miter gauge.
- Cut it.
At what angle do you cut crown molding?
It depends on your preferences, your wall, and the ceiling. It also depends on the wood you use for the crown molding. The standard is 45 degrees for a 90-degree corner. The guide above describes how to make appropriate calculations in advance.
Also read:
- 7 Best Dewalt Miter Saws
- 7 Best Cordless Miter Saws
- 7 Best Miter Saw Stands
- How to Cut 45 Degree Angle With Miter Saw
- How to Cut Baseboards With a Miter Saw
- Can a 10 Inch Miter Saw Cut a 4×4
- Miter Saw vs Compound vs Sliding Miter Saw
- Sliding vs Non Sliding Miter Saw
- How to Change a Miter Saw Blade
- How to Unlock Miter Saw
- What Size Miter Saw Do I Need
Simplest Way to Cut Molding
The best way to cut crown molding is to practice a lot. You can also pick the most suitable wood for it. I suggest that you practice on small pieces of wood and always keep your fingers far from the blade. After practicing for some time, you will be able to make cuts like a pro.
I also recommend writing down the measurements, since it is hard to keep in mind all the numbers and angles. Calculate everything by using specialized programs in advance. If you have more recommendations, provide them in the comments below.
How do you usually cut crown molding? Do you know a simple way to do this?
“A good tool stays with you for many years and choosing carefully ensures the job is done right, your work is neat, and the tool is always a pleasure to use”
