Hey all,
I just signed on to a job that involves cove moulding to go between wall/ceiling joint and I’m trying to figure out how I’m going to be able to cut this Crown style moulding since it has a height and projection of 8.5″ – My miter saw can’t handle that size, I was thinking of upgrading, but I don’t know if any saw that is within reason can handle that. Are my only options to build a miter box and cut by hand? Please give me some advice if possible.
Replies
sliding compound saw and the right setting for a flat cut, or slap together a box and handsaw it..
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
You could buy a manual compound miter saw.
I have a Jorgenson. Runs about $50, and can handle pretty tall stuff. I think it could handle 8.5, though you would probably need to build a taller fence. Taller fence is a helpful mod anyways.
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You could make a homemade miterbox from plywood and use a handsaw to cut the molding. It was done a lot like that before power mitersaws were invented.
If you put the molding flat to the floor (upside-down) what is the height?
YCF Dino
Gary Katz has an article about doing really big crown with a wooden miter box on his website. Might give you some good info if you can't cut it on the flat with your saw and don't want to upgrade.
Here's a link: /TrimTechniques/cuttinghugecrown.htm
-KITTechnique is proof of your seriousness. - Wallace Stevens
Don't take this the wrong way, but if you signed on to do a job with 8.5" crown, why can't you handle it? Dang, buy a big saw and change your handle...or sub it out to a pro<G> Don't worry, we can fix that later!
I didn't sign onto the job yet Buck, but I probably will build a box similar to the one on Gary Katz's website - which I found shortly after asking this question here. I didn't mean to sound like I had no idea how to do it, just wanted some tips on what people have done to make it easier, if they knew of a certain saw that could handle the size or whatever. But I think building the miter box to fit the crown will be the best bet. Thanks everybody.
Hey, but you did change your name!<G>
Is Katz's box for a handsaw? I started this stuff before power miter saws, it's no fun trying to trim just a scosh, LOL
I've learned a lot of by taking on jobs I didn't have clue how to do<G>
Good Luck Don't worry, we can fix that later!
Haha, I always did like the feelings a name like DIYer invoked from Breaktimers!
..But anyway, yes Gary's box (or rather the box from his site - I think it was somebody else's writeup) is made for use with a handsaw and is specially designed so that you can accurately cut from one side and then move to the other side without screwing up your cut too badly. It had a sort of guide fence to hold the saw at the right angle (right meaning correct of course !)
-Justin
I think I saw that. But that wasn't big crown, that was huge crown! Might been Ed Williams' crew, GACC Dallas, he used to post here a lot.
About the DIY thing, if a DYIer ever does find out how easy it really is to cut big crown with low tech tools, then we're going to have to move into stuff like dentistry...scary, huh?<G>
Don't worry, we can fix that later!
Edited 10/11/2004 5:17 pm ET by bucksnort billy
One way is to make a sled for your circular saw big enough so you can clamp it to the cove. Cut upside down (the molding ,not you ) and if you need to finish your cuts at the ends use a hand saw.
YCF Dino
Rent a slider for the day you are going to cut. I would install blocks every 2' for that size of moulding. Triple up the blocks at joints for extra gluing surface (if needed).