DIY: Coping Crown Molding

Crown molding inside corners must be cut with a coping saw.

Cutting crown molding can seem difficult for inexperienced homeowners. However, most of the cuts on crown molding can be easily made with a miter saw. The crown molding must be held correctly, but the cutting is easy. Some inside corner crown molding cuts must be made with a coping saw. Learning how to cope crown molding is not difficult, and the cut can be made in just a few minutes. Once the cope cut has been made, the molding should fit perfectly into the other side of the inside corner.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Pencil
• Miter saw
• Crown molding
• Coping saw
• Pneumatic nail gun

Instructions

1. Measure and mark how long the crown molding needs to be so you can cut it.

2. Place the crown molding on the miter saw. Set the molding on the saw so that the top of the molding rests against the table of the saw. The bottom of the molding should rest against the fence of the saw. The molding should look as it would look installed on the wall, only upside down.

3. Set the miter saw to a 45 degree angle. Hold the molding in place while you cut it at the 45 degree angle.

4. Mark the front, or leading edge, of the cut crown molding with a pencil. This will highlight where you need to cut with the coping saw.

5. Hold the coping saw blade toward the back of the molding at a 5 degree angle. Begin cutting away the back of the molding along the highlighted pencil line.

6. Place the crown molding in place on the wall to ensure that it fits into the other side of the molding. Nail in place with a pneumatic nail gun.

References

• This Old House: How to Install Crown Molding
• This Old House: How to Cope a Joint for Crown Molding