For you trimmers: Looking for ideas on how to trim non elliptical top window over double French door with side lights. Side trim is 3 ½â€ corner blocks with 3†fluted case, and plinth blocks. Can not seem to figure out what would look correct for casing over this window. Can anyone recommend or show past experiences. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks.
Replies
By "non-eliptical" do you mean Half round or arched or gothic.
Depending on th molding profile you should be able to make something similar with either a router or a molding head.
here's a three step I recently made after our "Prod. dir. " ordered some flexible ranch that me and the other finish man refused to put up.
three step is pretty simple to make compared to fluted.
Mr T
I can't afford to be affordable anymore
Mr. T,
Thanks. Looks good. What I had in mind also. Window is 11" tall, by 60" wide, with non symmetrical arch. Big box door set. Side case on door is fluted. Not sure fluted arch would look right over top. Also not sure I can run 4 flutes in arched top. Also not sure HO would like top rosette, but seems to need some sort of "top knot"
HO mentioned flexible, but I cringed and said I could make something better. Now I can't seem to come up with anything that looks right. I scribed the arc, and made template, but dosent look good when I transfer to flat stock.
By 3 piece, do you mean 2 sides and the arch block? How did you join the 3 sections? Biscuit and glue? Seems like this is going to be the weak link, and want to get it right.
Three step is the molding profile
similar to colonial casing but has three "steps" instead of curves.
The top rosette is actually a keystone.
wedge shaped to mimic stone work.
a neccessity because I could barely get on side out of a 1x12.
I still dont understand what you mean by a non symetric arch.
sounds like it may be an elipse afterall.
Tighter radius at the sides than in the middle??
Mr T
I can't afford to be affordable anymore
Mr. T
That's right. Tighter on the sides, and sort of makes the second titer bend at the ends, and then comes straight down. Flat on the bottom. Wish I had a camera, but you have the picture.
I have laid out the arch for 2 sections, and a top rosette and am able to get both sides out of a 1x8. Not sure the HO will buy the top rosette though. looks a little much for this small of a window. especially with the other ones on the top of the side lights.
Can you think of a way to route flutes in this top section? Or would you just make it from flat stock?
Thanks for your info.
dap
Complicated stuff
molding eliptical trim you need a molding cutter or a CNC or an elipse jig.
Or your window manufacturer should be able to supply matching peices (for mucho denero!)($$$)
Mr T
I can't afford to be affordable anymore
I trimmed a few arch tops awhile ago. Technically, arch tops are not a true half circle. The bottom extends beyond the half way point. This goofs up your cutting jigs. An ellipse is even worse if you have to do multiple units. I don't know if these pictures will help in that case, but my approach would be similar.
First I do a full scale layout on a piece of MDF. In my experience, it is best not to try and get the maximum segment out of wide boards. The short grain that will result on the ends is very weak. I try not to exceed 1x8. If that isn't enough, I will add more segments. This job had 16 different arch tops in a variety of sizes. I was able to use a circle cutting jig on the band saw but I had to stop the cut on the bottom segments and cut them straight. If I had to do a single ellipse, I would not try to construct a cutting jig, just mark them out and cut with either a bandsaw or jig saw. As my prep work progressed, I cut the MDF to act as a form. This was important for keeping the arches identical and also because I steamed and applied a beaded band to match the other trim. You could use the off cuts from your segments, attached to the MDF as a form. You could use a router to cut flutes. You need an edge guide that is basically two pins to follow the round shape. I would leave the bottom legs extra long to serve as a reference for the router. I also used a keystone on the top but that was just decoration.
Thanks Hammer,
Nice work. How did you then join the segments? Did you use biscuits, before you put in the clamp? What glue?. I liked the jig for sawing. Don't think it would be worth the effort for just one window, but would work great for multiple windows with same arch. Think I will use much the same approach, hope to use rosette for "keystone" with H.O. ok. Makes the segments much easier to cut from 1x8. Like you, don't like to cut entire arch from one piece as the end's are very prone to breakage.
Thanks again. Appreciate the pics.
dap