Replies

1. 
   Splinky | Feb 14, 2006 03:54pm | #1

   Hold the other end up with a 1x3 with a small block screwed to the end. As a matter of fact, make 2 or 3 of these things and hold the entire thing up while you nail it off.

   It's magic!

   David H. "Splinky" Polston

   Founder of Sawdust, Norfolk, Virginia

1. 
   Splinky | Feb 14, 2006 04:10pm | #2

   I need to clarify... use a long 1x3. I use one a foot longer than my ceiling is tall. The scrap is screwed in an "L" on the top so that the crown will rest on the "shelf" you create by leaning the 1x3 against the wall.(It was bugging me that I didn't explain that... now I can relax and go beat the heck out of my day!)David H. "Splinky" Polston

   Founder of Sawdust, Norfolk, Virginia

2. 
   Dave45 | Feb 14, 2006 05:32pm | #3

   I use these.

1. 
   harrisdog43 | Feb 14, 2006 06:02pm | #5

   Looks good D45; I like it!!!

1. 
   Dave45 | Feb 14, 2006 07:11pm | #6

   The trick is to put them as high as you can and still "roll" the piece of crown into the cradles.  Then. you just work your way across.  In case you didn't notice, those were set up to work left to right (I'm a lefty).  I won't guarantee they will even work for a righty - lol.

   You'll have a few nail or screw holes in the walls but that's easy to fix.

1. 
   harrisdog43 | Feb 14, 2006 08:58pm | #9

   I just finished hanging some, and I can use my nail gun with either hand ;>)

   I really do like your idea and I will be making some for the next time.

   I did save it to my folder so I could use the zoom to see it better. Old eyes.

1. 
   Dave45 | Feb 14, 2006 10:53pm | #11

   Tell me about those "old eyes"!!  You're only a couple of years older than me.  Dr. Dean Edell and his drug store glasses have been part of my life for about 10 years now.  I have 5-6 pairs scattered around - lol.

2. 
   harrisdog43 | Feb 15, 2006 04:37am | #15

   The biggest problem is putting the damn things on and off all the time. I have tried everything except going to contacts. My wife wears one for distance and one for reading but we get too much dust to do something like that. Contacts would probably finish my vision off.

   Not having enough light is another thing...but what the hey! at least we still keep getting older.

   I just saw an article about Larry Haun, still swinging a hammer at 75. Now that's what I'm talking about! I saw an article a couple of years ago about a guy at 84 doing those marvelous curved brick ceilings. That is what I aspire to.

3. 
   Dave45 | Feb 15, 2006 06:26am | #18

   Actually, my biggest problem is plumbing a sink.  There I am laying on my arched (and aching) back, fumbling with a basin wrench and having water and whatever dropping on my glasses.  Having that hot-azzed worklight next to my ear ain't much fun either!! - lol

   A few years ago, I was helping my brother work under the dash of his pickup.  He stopped what he was doing, looked me dead in the eye, and - as serious as a heart attack - said "Y'know, they just ain't making as much light as they used to".   That profound observation called for a beer break.  I wonder if he ever got the truck fixed?

4. 
   iluvgear | Feb 15, 2006 04:52pm | #22

   When you need light in tight quarters you usually can do without the heat of a work light.  Go to a store like EMS, LL Bean, Cabelas, etc and get one of the thre or four bulb LED headlamps.  I have one in each truck.  My personal favorite is the Petzl Tikka Plus.

   http://www.rei.com/online/store/Search?source=19492&topStyles=703011%2C721995%2C709063%2C730448%2C722625%2C703012&noalias=1&cm_ite=headlamp&topStylesTitle=best+sellers+for+headlamps&langId=-1&cm_pla=Headlamps_Flashlights&query=headlamp&link=1&cat=4500058&cm_ven=ps_google&cm_cat=Camping-Hiking&storeId=8000

5. 
   Dave45 | Feb 15, 2006 08:52pm | #26

   Actually, I haven't used a worklight for a couple of years now.  I got one of those cordless lights as part of a tool combo and ignored it thinking that it was a gimmick.  I had to use it one day when I had forgotten my plug in worklight and was an immediate convert.  How long had that been legal and why didn't somebody tell me!! - lol

6. 
   Mooney | Feb 16, 2006 07:03am | #30

   Funny you mentioned that .

   A friend of mine that runs a car lot always exchanges gifts with me . He always beats me and is the best .

   He got me a flousent port light . Its about 8x12 in a box with a clear plastic front. Sits up or lays down. No heat at all . Lots of light and doesnt put your eyebals out . If ya see one grab two!

   Tim

    

2. 
   JeffBuck | Feb 15, 2006 05:51am | #16

   here's mine ... I like yers!

   Jeff    Buck Construction

    Artistry In Carpentry

        Pittsburgh Pa

   
1. 
   Dave45 | Feb 15, 2006 06:14am | #17

   Bet mine is easier to make - lol. 

   I just use whatever scrap is laying around and toss them when I'm done.  Must take all of 15 minutes to make two or three.

   I was telling my wife about this thread and she's pizzed because I didn't patent them - lol

   Edited 2/14/2006 10:15 pm by Dave45

3. 
   mike4244 | Feb 14, 2006 05:47pm | #4

   Cut a angular slot in a scrap piece of flashing  or vinyl  coil stock. The slot is the same as a slot on a roof jack. Attach a block to the bottom. Tack the holder on the wall where the nail won't interfere with the back of the crown. After you have a few nails in, push the holder up, use it again for another wall.

   mike

4. 
   Rickie | Feb 14, 2006 07:20pm | #7

   I usually just tack in a finish nail a hair low. Otherwise you spend more time on that chore than actually installing the crown. Works fine and all things being equal simplicty rules.

5. 
   Ryan1 | Feb 14, 2006 07:44pm | #8

   A trick that I like is to use some scrap aluminum stock or something like that and bend it to a shape similar to a gutter.    So its sort of like a 1" piece of gutter.    Cut a slot in the back that will slip over the head of a sheetrock screw.    So you partially drive this screw into the wall where the void behind the crown will be, then slip this "gutter" over the screw and let it hang there and support the crown while you nail off.    Then when you get semi close to this support piece, you just push up on it and slide it off of the screw head which is in the void behind the crown.     Just slide the support gutter out from behind the crown.  

   The screw stays behind but who cares its behind the crown and you don't have any extra holes to fill on the finished wall.     Sorry if this is hard to follow, if I could draw it for you it would be easier.

1. 
   harrisdog43 | Feb 14, 2006 09:04pm | #10

   I seem to remember a trick in FHB or FWW that used a string fastened to a fastener that stayed behind the crown. Somehow you used the string to hold the crown up. I may have to look at that. When I just use a finish nail, it doesn't always work with the type of crown I am installing, particularly large crown.

   I guess I need to look through back issues to see if I can find it. It looked like it would work, but I never tried it.

2. 
   Pete | Feb 15, 2006 02:59pm | #21

   thats a good trick -- easy, quick, painless.  here's your 'attaboy!'

1. 
   Ryan1 | Feb 15, 2006 05:09pm | #24

   'ppreciate that.   Best thing is they are small and re-usable, so once you've made 3 of them you're good for most walls.

6. 
   JohnSprung | Feb 14, 2006 11:43pm | #12

   I used an adjustable paint roller pole with a clean broom head screwed on the business end, and a rubber handle on the bottom end.  Adjust the length to give you about 45 degrees or a little steeper with the broom pushing the crown up.  It holds nicely, with just a little wiggle room to let you get on the marks. 

    

    

   -- J.S.

    

1. 
   DonCanDo | Feb 15, 2006 01:00am | #13

   I used an adjustable paint roller pole...

   That's a good idea.  But the next time I install crown molding, I think I'll buy a couple of these:

    http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=10880

   I can't quite tell how the height is adjusted from the picture, but there's a tool store near me (Force Tools) that also sells them and their "jacks" can be raised with a built-in hand grip.

   -Don

2. 
   dustinf | Feb 15, 2006 06:43am | #20

   I used an adjustable paint roller pole with a clean broom head screwed on the business end

   I do the same thing, but I use a swivel head from a pole sander attached to the roller pole.  Works pretty good. 

7. 
   MSA1 | Feb 15, 2006 03:16am | #14

   Funny you started this thread. I just hung the same stuff today. I hate MDF. I backed all the trim with angle cut 2x4's and I still had alot of pull through. I need to work on my crown moulding skills. I'm getting better but I still dont know if i'd tackle stain grade just yet. 

1. 
   JMadson | Feb 15, 2006 05:18pm | #25

   MDF is too flexible, it makes it a pain to hang. It's almost easier to pay the extra $ for the primed pine.

1. 
   JohnSprung | Feb 15, 2006 10:39pm | #27

   > MDF is too flexible, it makes it a pain to hang.

   Yeah, I just did some.  It's like trying to nail spaghetti to the ceiling.  Alas, there were parts of that house that were so far out of plane that even with floppy MDF, I had to make some kerfs to get it to bend around the humps and dips in the drywall. 

   So, in a way, floppy MDF is a better match for sloppy houses than good straight wood would be.   

    

   -- J.S.

    

2. 
   MSA1 | Feb 16, 2006 05:24am | #28

   Yeah, it was no fun to hang. The trim nailer was blowing right through in some places.

   This is the same client that last year had me install a tile floor and they bought premixed grout. I didnt even know the stuff existed.

8. 
   cabman | Feb 15, 2006 06:39am | #19

   Here are the ones I like, they extend out to 11'.

   Darren

   
1. 
   nikkiwood | Feb 15, 2006 05:07pm | #23

   those are Third Hands (from Fast Cap), right?http://www.fastcap.com/prod2.asp?page=3rdhand********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

1. 
   cabman | Feb 16, 2006 06:16am | #29

   These ones are Task, Chinese I think . 

    I have a couple of those Third Hands though, they are very nice.

   Thanks, Darren.