Hey folks,
am putting up crown moulding around kitchen cabinets and am a little daunted by figuring the right angles for the corner cabinets (they face outward on the 45 diagonal.
The crown was fairly spendy and I didn’t want to fudge my way to finally getting it right–is there a straight set of angles to use, or a way to to use an angle guage and get it right the first (or second) time?
I think that the moulding is veneered, so does that rule out copes?
Thanks!
Jamie
Replies
I would rule out coping the inside corners simply because you should be guaranteed to have exact 90° or 45° angles. Coping is well suited to inside corners where the angle might be off a little or the inside corner is slightly rounded as is usually the case with drywall.
The miter angle is always half of the corner, so for 45° the miter is 22.5°.
Consider assembling the crown molding on the floor before setting it on the cabinets. That way, you can be sure to mate the pieces exactly.
As for cutting it to the right length, the "trick" is to set a reference mark on top of the cabinets. When doing crown molding on walls, there's no need for a reference mark because the walls themselves serve that purpose. To place a reference mark on top of the cabinets, I would cut some scraps with the same profile, set them of top and mark the cabinet where the back edge ends. This will be the long point of the cut.
Also, don't forget to account for the spring angle if you're using a compound miter saw. If you're using a jig to set the crown molding at the right angle instead, don't forget to cut upside down and backwards.
I use shims or paint sticks from the store, and cut them at what the angle should be. If it is half of a 90 for example I cut them both at 22.5 degrees and take them up to that cabinet or wall and see if they meet exactly at the heel and toe. If not them I say "Got to take some off the pointy part and then adjust the saw how many degrees I think it needs making the pointy part less pointy. Or the opposite.
Edited 11/23/2005 6:59 pm ET by ModernHomesInc
crown molding on cabinets is fairly straight forward, usually the angles are 90 or 45 degrees giving miter cuts of 45 or 22.5
carefull measurements are the key to success to ensure a tight fit
usually i start with the corner cabinet cutting a 22.5 angle on both ends and the correct length which depends on cabinet size, usually i cut one end and mark the other holding the piece in place. i then secure it and proceed on from there
miter accuracy is critical in prefinished cabinet material so take the time to set up your chopsaw and use a good blade
a jig of some kind to hold the crown saves lots of aggravation as well
Rip some scrap 1x4 to the dimensions and angles of your crown and figure it first with "try blocks" . When you get it right cut it in the crown.