If you’re looking to make your home more beautiful and want a custom look, then you might be considering installing crown molding. Crown molding is not only great for aesthetics but also has some practical benefits too.
It can help improve insulation in the home, it blocks sound from seeping through walls, and it helps keep dust off of furniture below it. You may not be familiar with crown molding installation, but don’t worry. This article will teach you how to cut crown molding with a compound miters saw so that you can get started on your project!
Table of Contents
How To Cut Crown Molding With A Compound Miter Saw
The Angles
You don’t need to be a math wizard or have an advanced degree in geometry for this project. The angles you will need are the angle of your saw blade and one other cut that is at 45 degrees, which should be done on the side edge of the crown molding before it crosses over to create a miter joint.
Corner Angle
If you want to have an angle in a corner, measure the blade’s degrees and add 30 degrees for each of the two intersecting angles. For example, if your saw has a blade at 45 degrees, then it will need to make a 90 degree cut on one side of the molding that is 135 degrees away from where the other miter joint happens to be.
Spring Angle
You will also need to know the spring angle, which is how much your blade cuts off each time it completes a 90-degree turn. If you have a saw with 22 degrees of spring angle, then every 45 degrees that are cut on one side of the molding must be offset by 23 degrees on the other side so they meet up in the middle.
Miter and Bevel Angles
Most miter saws also have a bevel angle that can help you make angled cuts. For instance, if your blade is at 45 degrees and you want to cut along the edge of something taller than the saw’s cutting height, then set it for 22.51 degrees (45 x .707) will let you use half of the rotation so your blade doesn’t hit the top part being cut off by not going all the way around it in one stroke.
Cutting Crown Molding with A Compound Miter Saw
1) Set the Right Miter and Bevel Angle
First, set the blade at 45 degrees. Then adjust your miter angle to 22.51 degrees (45 x .707).
Make sure not to cut the backside of crown molding when cutting it on a level because this will create an uneven edge that could potentially break apart and come loose from drywall or wood studs in time.
2) Cut a Right-Hand Piece For an Outside Corner
Turn the saw so it’s facing into a corner. Mark one side of your piece at 45 degrees, then set the blade to 22.51 degrees and slice that first edge off with a miter cut (the right-hand side).
Then measure diagonally from this new edge towards where you’re cutting crown molding for an outside corner and make another mark on the other 45-degree line. Cut through this second notch with the same angle as before but don’t go all the way across – stop about halfway in order to leave room for making final cuts after fitting both pieces together.
3) Cut the Left-Hand Piece for an Inside Corner
Position the saw so it’s facing into a corner and cut an angled notch on one side of your piece (the left-hand side). Be sure to measure diagonally from this new edge towards where you’re cutting crown molding for an inside corner.
Cut through this second notch with the same angle as before but don’t go all the way across stop about halfway in order to leave room for making final cuts after fitting both pieces together.
Leave some excess when slicing off these first two notches. they should be wide enough that they each have around half their length still intact on either end. This gives you plenty of material to hold onto during handling without dropping anything or marring the surfaces.
4) Tips to help you When Making Crown Molding Cuts
- Adjust the blade height to one of these two notches.
- Cut all four pieces on your miter saw at once.
- Use a push stick or sled for long cuts and any time you’re cutting out inside corners with less than three inches of space between them.
- When cutting inside corners, use a stop block on the miter saw to cut your pieces at an exact angle.
- Use scissors or a chisel for making any final cuts needed after you’ve fit both long side pieces together and have trimmed them down to size.
You can also trim off excess crown molding along one of its edges with a coping saw if it’s necessary in order to get as close as possible to the finished surface without leaving gaps between joints that are too wide.
However, this is not recommended unless absolutely necessary since there may be more than enough material left over from the initial cuts when using other methods like push sticks and sleds that allow for quick removal of materials while remaining precise about measurements.
FAQ
What are the angles for cutting crown molding?
The angle for cutting crown molding is a compound miter cut, meaning it has two angles.
The first angle will be the same as if you were to trim off any excess material from one of your original cuts on either end or along the length of your board and create an overhang that would be too long when paired with another piece.
This second angle should always measure between 45 degrees and 60 degrees instead of 90 degrees so that there’s enough space in between joints to accommodate movement without damaging pieces while they’re being put together at their final destination.
What are some common mistakes people make when trying to cut crown molding?
The most common mistake made by those who attempt this project themselves is not properly measuring out all the angles necessary.
This can lead to wasted materials, more time spent on the project, and an end product that is not symmetrical or aesthetically pleasing.
It’s best to take your measurements beforehand so you know what level of precision will be required for a successful outcome every time.
Another common mistake made when cutting crown molding at home is trying to cut it with a handsaw instead of using the right tools for the job.
A compound miter saw would make this process much easier because they have adjustable blades which allow them to provide accurate cuts without having to measure out each angle manually.
Why is 31.6 on a miter saw?
The answer is because it’s a compound angle.
A compound angle is when there are more than two angles involved.
It may seem complicated to use the adjustable blades on a miter saw, but it really just requires some trial and error until you find the right setting for your project.
Conclusion
A compound miter saw is a great tool for cutting crown molding, and it’s much easier to use than other options.
It may seem complicated at first glance, but the adjustable blades will allow you to find the right angle setting without having too many calculations involved with your measurements.
The next time you need some crown molding cut, consider investing in a compound miter saw because it’ll make your life so much easier.
