Good Millwork: Installing Crown Molding in Three Steps

Easy 3-Step Method to Install Crown Molding & Trim
Nothing you do will improve the appearance and value of your home more than beautifully installed crown molding/trim. Hiring a professional will cost 5 to 10 times more than doing it yourself. With Wayne Drake’s proven 3-step method, you will be able to easily cut and install crown/trim and save thousands of dollars. There is nothing difficult about installing crown molding or trim. All you need are the right tools and information to do the job.

Step 1: Measure the corner angle with your True Angle® tool.
Place the two blades against the surfaces you want to measure and tighten the tension nut. Then read the angle on the scale printed on the tool. To loosen the tension nut, hold the lower blade in your left hand and turn the top blade counter-clockwise. There are several sizes of True Angle® tools available (7″ through 24″) for crown/trim application. Use the longest tool that will fit the corner. The shorter tools will be needed for the shorter walls.

Step 2: Get the miter and blade tilt angles from the charts/tables.
The Crown Moulding Table© is for cutting 52°/38° (38° spring angle) and 45°/45° (45° spring angle) crown moulding using a compound miter saw. Place the crown lying flat and face up on your saw. Crown moulding with spring angles other than 38° and 45° will require the Compound Miter Chart©. The Crown Molding Table© will provide miter and blade tilt angles for cathedral/vaulted ceilings. Some outside corners for cathedral/vaulted ceilings will require the Compound Miter Chart©.

Note: Always check the crown moulding spring angle before you cut. Know which crown you have!

Step 3: Set your saw and make the perfect cut.
Complete instructions along with all of these charts and tables as well as many examples and pictures are in the new book, Crown Molding & Trim, Install It Like A PRO!. All charts and tables are laminated with heavy-duty 5mil plastic and can be kept on the job site. If they get soiled or wet, just wipe them clean.

Note: Do not substitute the charts and tables for the book. The book has the details/instructions you need.

Wayne, I purchased an 18 inch True Angle® tool and Crown Moulding Table. They were a great value, and proved invaluable installing the crown moulding in our 80 year old home. This was a total do-it-yourself project from start to finish. The True Angle® tool and Crown Moulding Table© made cutting the crown moulding precise and resulted in flawless joints. This was truly a case of having the right tool for the job and I have to emphasize again the cost of your tools were amazingly inexpensive. Frank R Syracuse, NY

“Continued from: Install Crown Molding Like a Pro!”
“Next: Getting Ready”

Wayne Drake is a Mechanical Engineer with a Masters in Aeronautical Systems Engineering and founder of www.CompoundMiter.com. His web site is the best and only one-stop-source for information on compound miter angles. Wayne is also a woodworking hobbyist, author of “Crown Moulding & Trim, Install Like a Pro”, and has an extensive background in advanced mathematics and engineering graphics.

FIND CROWN MOULDING:

• 4″ to 6″ Crown Molding
• 6″ to 8″ Crown Molding
• 8″ to 10″ Crown Molding
• 10″ to 12″ Crown Molding
• Bed Moulds
• Cove Crown Mouldings

TOOLS TO INSTALL CROWN MOULDING:

• Purchase a Compound Miter Saw
• Purchase Miter Saw Accessories

CROWN MOULDING INSTALLATION RESOURCES:

• Extreme How-To: On Twitter; and DIY Crown Molding & Trim
• Builders Resource: Crown Molding for Cathedral Ceilings
• Wood Web: Crown Molding Along Cathedral Ceilings

[via www.compoundmiter.com]