How to Cut Wood Moulding

Molding protects the wall and hides joints.

The two most common moldings found in a home are floor molding and crown molding. Floor molding attaches to the bottom of a wall and covers the gap between the wall and the floor. Crown molding goes on top of the wall and covers the joint between the ceiling and the wall. Power miter saws utilize precision measuring guides to help you achieve an accurate cut and are the norm when cutting molding.

Instructions

1. Measure from one wall to the next wall with a tape measure and write down the measurement. In most cases, a wall is too long for a single piece of molding. Therefore, your first piece of molding will go in the corner and you will work your way down the wall.

2. Set your miter saw so the blade rests at a 90-degree angle to the rip fence. On the bottom of the saw, you will notice a lever. Turn the lever counterclockwise to loosen the gauge. Rotate the saw to 90 degrees and lock the lever by turning it clockwise.

3. Place the side of the molding that goes against the wall against the rip fence and cut down through the wood to create a straight 90-degree cut.

4. Flip the piece of molding lengthwise. Keep the back of the molding against the fence.

5. Measure from the 90-degree cut end to your final measurement and place a mark on the top edge of the molding.

6. Change the cutting angle of your molding to 45 degrees and lock the saw in place.

7. Cut down through the molding using your mark as a guide. Place the 45-degree cut in the corner when you secure the molding to the wall.

Tips & Warnings

• If the molding is long enough to reach from one end of the wall to the next, forgo the 90-degree cut and place two 45-degree cuts on the molding.

References

• Hardware Store: A Guide to Installing Molding