After three weeks, I am finally begining to really get the hand of coping. Miter, pencil the line, coping saw, and wood rasp seems to be the order of things. But now on to the next phase–a double cope, a cope on both sides of some crown.
How do you guys measure and lay this out?
I am assuming using a precise measurement from inside to inside, then adding some fraction of an inch for good measure, like a half; and then back cutting the deveil out of both sides, so it can be easily shortened with a rasp.
Any ideas?
Regards,
Boris
Boris
“Sir, I may be drunk, but you’re crazy, and I’ll be sober tomorrow” — WC Fields, “Its a Gift” 1934
Replies
Measure inside to inside, and add maybe a sixteenth.
Avoid a double cope if at all possible. Start with a cope against a temp piece of crown.
This is explained better than I can say it in FHB#152, January 2003, page 58.
I have two inside corners, and crown must go between them. The existing crown is 100 year old stain grade oak and short of just a few repairs, I can not start tearing up good existing crown.
This is a historical renovation, and I have had to match existing molding to the "T". Sorry. No way around a double cope. Wish there was.
Sometimes I wish I did paint grade MDF.
Regards,
Boris
"Sir, I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow" -- WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1934
Imbrace the double cope!
Once the fear is gone.....just like working any other corner...
for inside measurements....especially when working alone.....I measure off one wall.....get to a nice round number of inches.....then move the ladder and push the tape into the other corner.....
add the two......and there ya go.
I even use this for simple measurments...like inside a closet for base.....pull 10" off the left corner...make a tic mark...then measure off the right. Done.
The photo place lost my last roll....so I don't have a pic for ya...
but for single guy installing...especially with the double cope.....
I nail up a coupla site made "L" brackets....that have a stop block at the end that keeps the crown from sliding off the far end as I work my end into alignment.
usually the painter just has to spackle 3 finish gun nail hole per "L" bracket.
Keep them in from the corners a coupla feet for room to work.
JeffBuck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite
Jeff,
You are a man after my own heart. Once you start double coping it is a pleasure and MUCH easier and faster. In a square room I put up the two peices that are flat cut just short of the wall by nailing the centers and leaving the end loose. Next I cut the two double copes and snap them in. Very fast.
As for measuring - try cutting a peice of base 100" long, sometimes it is smaller or larger depending on room size. Set your ladder up about 100" off the corner. While on the ladder set the base to the corner and mark the wall then measure from the other corner to the mark you just made then add the 100". I used to work alone and like you needed to find quick ways to work alone.
Or you can plan(a four letter word) so the longest wall is the on with a cope on both ends.
Then you can either cut a little long and sping it in place(closing up most minor gaposis) or use two pieces an do your fitting on a scarf joint.Mr T
Do not try this at home!
I am an Experienced Professional!
as you have probably discover their isn't 90 degree corners. What I do when I have a crown job is make a couple of test pieces 24-30" right and lefts, 2 at true 90's, 2 rights one bottom a degree long, one top a degree long repeat for lefts, mark short pieces with pencil so you know which piece is what, remember were angle was set on saw to achieve these pieces
use test pieces to see which one fits best at either end. use measuring method as previously described or brad nail one piece in one corner and measure from square end to opposite corner at bottom. Cut one end & cope, hook tape on bottom point measure to other end, change saw to apporiate angle cut next corner & cope.
Another trick that I use and has been discussed is too cut profile as you would normally do and use jigsaw to take majority of meat out leaving approx. 1/16 -1/8 " remaining then use angle grinder or dremel and follow profile, just as you would with coping saw. I think you will find this method alot faster and very accurate.
Works for me good luck
Borris
As Jeff said.
The double cope is not that bad, if you can do one you can do two. Someone else said cut a little fat and spring the center out, this will allow you to get good tight fit. leave your two adjoining pieces loose for the 2 to 3 feet from the end and that will allow you to make some adjustments to them if necessary.
If your worried about the precise measurement make sure that its long, although no fun it can still be cut down.
I like Jeffs idea about the braces, no fun trying to hold a 12' piece of crown up by yourself.
Doug
Edited 6/4/2003 5:59:20 PM ET by Doug@es
I finally had a job of a house fulla crown......all good size rooms......finally remembered the camera.....took the time to take all the pics to show a one man band crown install.....
and that's the damn roll of film they decide to really, really lose!
Not like the other times they lost the film then tracked it down a week later.....this time...gone forever!
We did get some ugly girls spring break pics?
But I was gonna post them in sequence with my little braces and all the tricks.
Oh well....maybe next time....
or maybe I'll finally get a digital camera.........
Sorry...coulda helped here.
JeffBuck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite