Wood Finish Carpentry Instructions

Precise measurement and careful cuts are the keys to trim carpentry.

Finish carpentry includes the art of adding decorative trim. Several factors are required for successful trim installation: accurate measuring, precise cuts and proper nailing techniques. With mastery of these, even a beginning do-it-yourself carpenter can produce outstanding results.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Square
• Safety goggles
• Miter saw
• Finish nails
• Pneumatic nailer
• Plywood strips
• Wood screws
• Drill
• Wood glue
• Masking tape

Measuring for Trim

1. Check your tape measure regularly against a more accurate tool, such as a metal carpenter's square. Use pliers to straighten the end of the tape, so measurements line up with the measurements stamped into the face of the square. Measure every piece twice before making a cut.

2. Measure and mark baseboard (floor) trim along the top edges. The ends will be miter cut away from the top, so the top edge will be equal to the length of the wall to which it is attached. Measure and mark crown (ceiling) trim along the bottom edge. The ends will be miter cut away from the bottom, so the bottom edge will be equal to the length of the wall to which it is attached.

3. Measure and mark trim for frames around doors, windows and panels. Be sure to account for the width of the trim when measuring for these. For example, a window that is 4-feet wide trimmed in 2-inch wide trim requires two trim pieces cut at a length of 4-feet, 4-inches long.

Making Cuts

1. Align the saw blade to the side of the mark toward the waste piece. Doing so will ensure proper length. (The width -- or kerf -- of the blade will remove some material.)

2. Cut crown trim upside down, so that the mark on the bottom edge is aligned with the blade. Always wear safety goggles when making cuts.

3. Calculate miter cuts for angles using an angle finder. Position the legs of the finder so that each one is flush against one side of the angle. Read the angle from the indicator in the center and divide by two. For example, a 90-degree, or right angle, is made up of two, 45-degree miter cuts. Hence, each piece joined at that particular spot will need to be miter cut at a 45-degree angle.

Fastening Trim

1. Use a pneumatic nail gun whenever possible to prevent hammer marks on the trim. Set plunger depth so nail heads reach just below the trim surface. (Use a nail punch with a hammer for the same result.)

2. Install plywood or hardwood mounting strips to the wall to support large crown moldings. Anchor them to studs with screws. Strips should be narrow enough to be concealed behind the trim. In this way trim can be nailed to a mounting strip anywhere along its length, rather than nailing trim directly to the studs.

3. Glue and tape fragile corners, rather than nailing. Glue will hold the corner firmly together and prevent delicate trim from splintering. Remove tape once glue has set.

References

• "Trim Carpentry"; Clayton DeKorne; 2008