How to Cut Crown Molding in a Miter Box

You can use a miter box to cut 90-degree wall corners.

Crown molding can be an attractive way to blur the line between wall and ceiling, but since the molding is installed at an angle, cutting it precisely can be difficult. A compound miter saw is the best tool to use, as you can make minor adjustments based on your wall's nuances. If you don't have a miter saw, the next best thing is a miter box. It is essentially two vertical boards with pre-drilled slats. These slats are set up at precise angles, and you can use the 45-degree slats to cut your crown molding.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Pencil
• Backsaw

Instructions

1. Measure and mark your crown molding where you want to cut it, using a tape measure and pencil. Make your mark on the bottom edge of the crown molding, since the top edge will wind up a slightly different length.

2. Place your crown molding upside-down into the miter box. Position the molding so that the flat side that would normally rest on your wall rests on the back of the miter box. The flat side that normally rests on your ceiling will rest on the base of the box. Once both of these sides are flat, lock them into the box. Some plastic miter boxes have pegs that you push into the bottom of the box to keep the piece in place, while on older wooden boxes you may just have to cut and screw in scrap wood.

3. Align the crown molding to the right or left of the cut lines, depending on which side of the corner the piece will go on. If the piece will be installed to the left of the corner, move the molding so that it is to the right of the cut line. Do the opposite if the piece will be installed to the right of the corner.

4. Set the miter box to the 45-degree angle slot that's correct for your cut. If you are cutting the piece to the right of an outside corner or the piece to the left of an inside corner, place the saw in the 45-degree slot on the right side of the miter box. Once the saw is in the slot, it will line up with the 45-degree angle slot on the left side of the back face of the miter box. Use the slot to your left to do the opposite cuts.

5. Stabilize the crown molding with your hand, keeping it a safe distance from the saw, and make your cut.

References

• Balmer V Inc: How to Cut Crown Molding Miters
• HomeTips.com: How to Use a Miter Box & Backsaw
• Ask the Builder: Cutting Crown Molding--Upside Down and Backwards