How to Cut Crown Molding Flat

Cutting crown molding is challenging to most do-it-yourselfers because of the complexity of the angles involved. The molding sits out from the wall at an angle, meaning that for corners, you have to cut two angles at once. These "compound'' angles were once achieved by setting the trim on the miter saw at the angle it would go on the wall, then turning the miter to get the corner angle, and trying to hold it all in place like that while the cut was made. Compound miter saws simplify things, making it possible to cut the trim as it lies flat, because the saw blade tilts in addition to swiveling.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Compound miter saw

1. Measure a wall section on the left side of an outside corner (where two walls meet each other to form a 90-degree point). Find a piece of trim longer than that measurement.

2. Lay the trim on your saw face-up, to the right of the blade, with the bottom edge of the trim facing the fence of the saw, and the top edge facing you.

3. Tilt your saw blade 45 degrees to the left. Swivel the platform of the saw 45 degrees clockwise, so it points to your left. Make the cut.

4. Find a piece that's longer than the right-hand side of the corner. Lay it on the right-hand side of the miter blade, as before, but position it so the top edge of the piece is facing the fence and the bottom edge is facing you. Leave the blade tilted to the left as before, but swivel it counterclockwise to 45 degrees, so it points to your right. Make the cut.

5. Fit the two corner pieces together to ensure they will make a straight corner when place against the top of the wall, tilted out to the ceiling. Measure and cut the other ends of each piece to fit on the wall.

6. For your inside corners (where the two walls meet in a 90-degree cove), cut your left side in the same manner as you cut the outside corners, with the blade tilted left, except lay the piece on left side of the blade instead of the right. Position the molding with its top edge toward the fence and the miter swivel at 45 degrees counterclockwise, so it points toward your right. Make the cut.

7. Cut the right sides of inside corners of your inside corners by keeping the blade tilted left and again putting the piece on the left side of the blade. However, put the bottom edge of the molding toward the fence, and swivel the miter 45 degrees clockwise, so it points to your left. Make the cut.

8. Measure the other ends of the walls for the inside pieces and cut them to size.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear eye protection when using your compound miter saw.

References

• How to Install Crown Molding on a Horizontal Ceiling