Installing a crown molding to any projects adds an instant level of sophistication and adds aesthetic value. There are various types of crown molding available. However, people often get intimidated on how to cut a crown molding to fit their requirements, often ending up hiring a professional. A miter saw is a type of circular blade saw used to make accurate crosscuts and miters.
In this article, we will provide detailed guide on how to use a miter saw for crown molding. By following these simple steps, you can save the money you would spend on a professional and feel the accomplishment of completing the task yourself.
Contents
How To Use A Miter Saw For Crown Molding – Step By Step Guide
There are two types of crown molding fixtures, an inside corner, and an outside corner. We will discuss how to cut both types of fixtures.
Total Time: 1 Hour
Step 1
Turn off all your equipment. Wear personal protective gear such as work gloves, clear protection goggles, and earplugs. Keep all your tools in one place, so they are within reach.
Step 2
Using a tape measure, measure the length of the crown molding on each side of the wall—Mark the same on the crown molding. The straight or flush molding will be required here. Turn off the miter saw. Using the jig, adjust the position of the crown molding. Place the crown molding in position. Set your miter saw to zero degrees to make this cut. Turn on the miter saw and cut the molding at the marking.
Step 3
Next, we will be moving to the right and making an inside corner, which is rarely a square. To avoid unsightly gaps, you will need what is called a coped joint. The coped end of the second run will fit snugly into the profile of the first run—Mark the angle cut on the molding using the marker.
Step 4
At the miter saw, flip the molding upside’s down such that the ceiling edge is resting against the miter saw’s floor and the wall edge is up against the miter saw’s vertical fence. Then set the blade at a 45-degree angle in the appropriate direction and cut the molding.
Step 5
Now, using the marker, trace the edge of the molding profile. Using a coping saw at a 30 or 40-degree angle, undercut the excess molding wood. Test it will a scrap piece of molding and use a file or a sanding block to make minor adjustments.
Step 6
At the other end of the molding, turn on the miter saw and make a straight cut adding 1/8th of an inch to the piece’s end to ensure a snug fit.
Step 7
If you are cutting an outside corner, you will need to measure and mark each piece of molding, noting the trim where they come together on the wall. Then set each piece of the miter saw upside down. Turn on the miter saw and cut at the appropriate 45-degree angle.
Step 8
Now hold the two pieces of trim on the wall. The miter cuts should fit into each other like the bow of a ship. In case of small gaps, use a wood filler to fill it in.
Step 9
As you work around the space, you may encounter extra long runs of molding. These will require a scrapped joint created by joining two complementing 45-degree angle cut molding. And for instance, where the molding runs into a wall or an unmitered mill work, you will make a straight cut to create a butt joint, as mentioned in the previous steps.
Things You Would Need
There are different miter saws available which come with various attachments. We will assume that your miter saw is a basic model with little to no attachments. These are the things you would need.
Miter Saw: While there are various types of miter saws available, we recommend a bevel sliding compound miter saw which has a bevel sliding of at least 45 degrees in both left and right and a bevel maximum of 45 degrees. If you don’t know which miter saw to use, we have discussed it in detail in our next section.
Adjustable Jig: This will fix the crown molding that you need to cut into a fixed position. Depending on the size of your crown molding, you can adjust it. There are many types of jigs availablemany types of jigs available. Select the one that works well with your miter saw. Some miter saws already have a jig attachment.
Screwdriver: Some jigs are adjusted using screws. In case your miter saw jig is of the screw adjusting type, you need a standard screwdriver to fix it in place.
Tape Measure: Any standard tape measure would suffice. We will be using it to measure the length of the crown molding required.
Speed Square: It is a triangular-shaped measure. It is to be used in case your miter saw does not have the positive stops or bevel sliding.
Marker: You can use any standard marker that writes on different materials. It will be used to mark the points where the molding will be cut.
Coping saw, sander, and filer: This will be used to make minor adjustments to the cut pieces of molding. Any standard saw sander and filer can be used.
Personal Protective Equipment: This includes anti-cut heat resistant work gloves, earplugs, and protective eyewear. As miter saws have a powerful motor and a high RPM, it creates a lot of sawdust. The sawdust can inhibit vision and irritate the skin. It is damaging if it enters the eye. The blade is sharp, and there is a danger of injuring oneself. Miter saws can be noisy, and it is recommended to wear earplugs for protection. Hence it is necessary to wear protective equipment to safeguard oneself.
Top Three Miter Saw For Crown Molding
Now that you know how to use a miter saw for crown molding, the next step is to find out the best miter saws to purchase. We have got your covered on that front. We have researched and tested different miter saws to curate a list of the top three for you. Here are the candidates:
Integrated cutline blade positioning system provides adjustment free cut line indication for better accuracy and...
Powerful 15 Amp, 3,800 rpm motor delivers extended power and durability
Super-efficient dust collection system captures over 75% of dust generated
DeWalt DWS780 is a compound miter saw which comes with a 15-ampere motor that gives a speed of 3800 RPM. It has a bevel sliding of 60 degrees and 50 degrees right and left, respectively. And in both directions, stops are at 0, 22.5, 33.9, and 49 degrees. Its detent plate has ten positive stops, which promote fast and easy adjustment. Its 12-inch carbide toothed saw is sharp and cut through various types of materials. It can crosscut 2 x 14 at 90 degrees and miter 2 x 10 at 45 degrees.
It has several features that promote accuracy and safety, such as machined base fence support, a cam lock miter, detent override, and bevel crown stops. It has a laser guide, which shows exactly the blade will touch the material. It has a rail lock latch, which maximizes vertical cutting capacity. It has a dust bag that collects most of the sawdust. It comes with a carbide blade, a blade wrench, a dust bag, and a vertical material clamp.
They provide a one-year free service and a three-year limited warranty.
Powerful 15 AMP direct drive motor for improved performance; 4,600 RPM
Dual post compound pivoting arm
Miter cuts 0°-45° left and 0°-52° right
Makita LS1040 is another sort after miter saw. It also has a 15-ampere motor but provides a higher speed than DeWalt DWS780 of 4600 RPM. It has a direct drive and a soft start motor. It has a dual post compound pivot arm. It has a bevel sliding of 45 degrees to the left and 52 degrees to the right with nine positive stops.
Its 10-inch carbide toothed blade, combined with the robust motor and high RPM, makes cutting to most material accurate and straightforward. Weighing less than 28 pounds, it is quite portable compared to DeWalt DWS780. It has a fluorescent light that illuminates the work surface, providing greater visibility.
It has a machined aluminum base, dual aluminum base, dual slide rails, and includes a vertical vise, the carbide blade, a wrench, a dust bag, and a triangular ruler.
It comes with a 1-year limited warranty and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Hitachi Power Tools has renamed to Metabo HPT; Same great tools, with only a new name
Compact slide system allows the saw head to slide along fixed rails, for zero clearance. Laser Marker System from...
Max Cutting Capacities (HxW) 90 Degree Cross Cut 4 to 3/16x12 ,1/4 inch or 4 11/16x10 3/16 inch. 45 Degree Miter (L/R) 4...
Similar to DeWalt and Makita Miter saws, Hitachi C12RSH2 has a 15-ampere motor and the highest speed in the trio at 4000 RPM. It has a bevel sliding of 45 degrees in left, 57 degrees right, and a bevel maximum of 45 degrees with positive stops. It can easily process larger material while making bevel cuts.
In terms of accuracy and safety, Hitachi offers a lot of features. It has a laser marker to guide where accurately the blade will cut the material, a splinter guard, and a dust bag for sawdust collection. Weighing at 59 pounds, it comes with a 12″ 60T TCT Saw Blade, Vice Assembly, 17mm Box Wrench, and Dust Bag. Hitachi C12RSH2 offered a 5-year limited warranty, much higher than DeWalt and Makita.
FAQs
1. How should I position the crown molding on the miter saw?
Position it upside down. So when you slide it in place on the miter saw, the ceiling part will be positioned on the downside, and the floor part will be positioned on the upside.
2. What kind of miter saw should I use to cut crown molding?
While there are various types of miter saws available, we recommend a bevel sliding compound miter saw which has a bevel sliding of at least 45 degrees in both left and right and a bevel maximum of 45 degrees.
3. Which is the Best Miter Saw to cut crown molding?
There are various types of miter saws, which are good contenders for the title of the best Miter Saw. We recommend DeWalt DWS780, Hitachi C12RSH2, or Makita LS1040. While others may disagree, this is our personal recommendation based on extensive research and testing.
Final Thoughts
We hope that this article on how to use a miter saw for crown molding has given you enough knowledge. Now that you have the basics down cutting and installing a crown molding is an easy way to boost your project and increase its value. With a few precautions and following the procedure, you will be decorating your place with crown molding in no time.
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