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Discussion Forum

Corbel to ceiling above trim problem

Oak River Mike | Posted in General Discussion on March 29, 2006 12:40pm

Hey folks,

I’m usually a pretty good trim carpenter but looking for ideas here.

Have a few corbels that are going up against a wooden ceiling that has some bows and buckles to it.  The top of the corbel will not sit totally flat against the ceiling.  One or two have about an 1/8″ gap between them on one side of the 4″ wide corbel while the other side touches the ceiling.

I know this may be hard to visualize but no digital pics available.

Any ideas for trimming this gap?  They’re oak corbels and a fir ceiling so caulking is not really an option.  Maybe small trim wood?  I thought about scribing the corbels but so much material would need to be removed, you’d notice it.

This is what I get for going in after someone to finish their work.  But I love a good challenge!

ANY and ALL suggestions are appreciated…Thanks

 

Mike

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Replies

  1. User avater
    SamT | Mar 29, 2006 12:52am | #1

    1/2" quarter round trim, scribed to split the difference. Or not.

    To get a really invisible join, scribe 1/16" off the corbel on the high side, then spilt the remaining 1/16" on the trim.

    If you get it down to 1/16", you can probably use Ogive? trim and forego the trim scribe.

    SamT



    Edited 3/28/2006 6:00 pm by SamT

  2. RalphWicklund | Mar 29, 2006 01:00am | #2

    <<One or two have about an 1/8" gap between them on one side of the 4" wide corbel while the other side touches the ceiling....

    I thought about scribing the corbels but so much material would need to be removed, you'd notice it.>>

    In one sentence you say 1/8" gap and another you say so much material would need to be removed, you'd notice it.

    Which is it? 1/8" is not that much to scribe and on opposite sides of the corbel and at the ceiling it would/should not be noticeable. If the ceiling is as bad as you paint it all eyes will be on the other guys work.

    1. Oak River Mike | Mar 29, 2006 01:16am | #5

      Ralph,

      I get what you're saying.  I guess I should have been more clear that the reason the 1/8" is a big deal is because the top of the corbel has a routed detail that is only about 1/4" wide so if I take off an 1/8" it'll be noticeable as it'll reduce part of the routed edge detail.

      And I know its the other guys work but its one of those where the last one to touch it owns it all if ya know what I mean.

      Thanks

      Mike

      1. User avater
        Sphere | Mar 29, 2006 01:19am | #8

        Like what Maverick said, pack out the top of the corbel, BUT leave a recess all around, like a shadow line. You'll see a similar treatment on the "cap" of a half wall sometimes..the cap looks like it is floating.?

        Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

        " Iam not a poet, but your hat is singularily inadequate"

        1. Oak River Mike | Mar 29, 2006 01:51am | #9

          Ooooo.  I like that idea.  I'll have to see if it'll work here.

          Thanks

  3. torn | Mar 29, 2006 01:01am | #3

    I like shoe mold a bit better than quarter round, but the same idea...

    How tall is the ceiling?  Would scribing really be that noticeable?

    Wouldn't you have to scribe the quarter-round or shoe mold trim anyway?

    1. Oak River Mike | Mar 29, 2006 01:17am | #6

      Yeah you would as the edge detail on the corbel would show the different reveal of the unscribbed quarter roundshoe molding.

      Mike

      1. torn | Mar 29, 2006 03:31am | #10

        yeah, gotcha. I was typing while you were explaining to the other poster about why scribing wouldn't work; I can see why it's not an option...

        1. RalphWicklund | Mar 29, 2006 08:17am | #11

          Can we assume that the corbels are decorative rather than functional?

          You could add a 5/4 x 6 plate to the top of the corbel and scribe that to the ceiling. Run the router around the edge of this plate to ease it into the corbel and I think the thickness will disguise the tapered scribe against the ceiling as well as enhance the perceived structural look without screwing up the already routed top edge of the corbel

          1. Oak River Mike | Mar 29, 2006 05:21pm | #12

            Another good idea, Ralph.  I think you're right...With the 5/4 thickness you wouldn't notice the 1/8" scribe

            Thanks

  4. maverick | Mar 29, 2006 01:01am | #4

    I think I would add a 1/8" strip of oak to the top of the corbel then scribe that down to the narrowest point leaving the corbel's top intact

    1. Oak River Mike | Mar 29, 2006 01:19am | #7

      Hey, that might work?! 

       Something like a shim woulkd be perfect if you had one in oak and just let it extend proud till it filled the gap.  Otherwise I may just use the stripscant piece on top.

      Thanks! 

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