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The Daily Fix

Coping Inside Corners With a Jigsaw

john ross, Web Producer

14 users recommend

(1) Collins Coping Foot jigsaw base

(1) Collins Coping Foot jigsaw base

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For years I resisted using a coping foot to cut inside corners for molding and trim. Mostly because I didn’t want to dedicate a jig saw to coping only. So instead I made a variety of jigs, the most successful of which looked like the prow of a ship that collided with an outhouse. But my setups were a little unwieldy so finally I broke down and got another jigsaw and put a coping foot on it.

I have happily retired my jig to the prarie.

There is a little getting used to it involved. So I rummaged around and found some photos of Gary Katz that do a pretty good job of showing how to cope an inside corner with the Collins Foot.

We are also launching a video workshop with Tucker Windover. In that, there is a episode dedicated to coping crown molding which will be available in a couple of weeks.

(1) An odd-looking jigsaw base called the Collins Coping Foot (shown above) allows you to cope quickly and accurately. Be sure to use an aggressive blade (6 tpi) with a wide set.

(2) Pull the saw toward you to make a relief cut at the top of the miter, leaving the sliver big enough so that it doesn’t break off easily.		(3) The next relief cut is where the profile begins.
(4) Keeping the saw at an angle, follow the top profile.		(5) Switching to a push stroke, cut the flat part of the profile, or the plinth.

Read the complete article... Baseboard Done Better A veteran carpenter shows how to achieve first-class results with timesaving techniques by Gary M. Katz

Build Like a Pro: Trim Carpentry, 2nd Edition
by Clayton DeKorne Expert advice from start to finish $19.95 more info...

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Comments (2)

bobalu writes: I learned this trick after coping most the crowns on our cottage using a coping saw. I wanted to use my jigsaw, but needed an angled surface to rest it on, so I made a simple jig from 5/4 x 8 in. pine by simply cutting the end off at a 45.

First bevel-cutting the molding on the chop saw in the usual fashion, I then pinch clamp the beveled jig to the back side of the molding, matching and flushing the beveled ends of both. This gives a broad enough surface to rest the foot of the jigsaw on to cut the relief profile of the molding and I don't have to dedicate the jigsaw to this operation.





Posted: 8:04 pm on June 9th

JFink writes: I keep hearing about people loving this Coping Foot. For me, nothing beats an angle grinder with a doubled-up set of sanding discs. It's noisy and dusty, but I don't need to make relief cuts and all of those extra steps that come along with the jigsaw method.
Posted: 12:07 pm on May 18th

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