Replies

1. 
   JDRHI | Mar 28, 2008 10:59pm | #1

   I would rip some 2 X material down at an angle and to the size a tad smaller than what will be the void behind the crown when installed.

   Nail/screw/glue it in place where the wall meets the ceiling, and nail your crown to it.

   J. D. Reynolds

   Home Improvements

   Pp, Qq

    

    

    

   
   

1. 
   RichardH | Mar 30, 2008 03:31pm | #11

   Same as JD and the others. The only thing that I do differently is in the attachment of the crown. For simply crown, rather than nail, I use trim screws right through the center into the backer. Since I usually work alone, that allows me to get the piece up more easily and, if necessary, get it back down if the angle at the joints isn't exactly right. Screwing into the middle also helps pull the crown in tight to the wall. (I've never had a call back with this method. I have been called to fix others' crown work where they just tacked it to the wall/ceiling without backer and often did not have anything solid to nail to.)Richard

2. 
   calvin | Mar 28, 2008 11:44pm | #2

   Axeactly as JD.

   Remember-a little smaller that the void left behind perfectly placed crown.

   A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.

   Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

   http://www.quittintime.com/

    

3. 
   JeffBuck | Mar 29, 2008 05:48am | #3

   JD's way is the best way.

    

   I just installed some by cutting the 4d nails short  ... short enough to not hit the brick ... and ran a bean of const adhesive on the crown.

   nailed to the ceiling as per the norm.

    

   I'da run the 2x first ... but got to the job all set ... and only then realized the exterior walls were solid brick. No 2x's ... no table saw ... no circular saw.

   figured I'd try to invent a new way before I went went for all the right stuff.

    

   worked great.

   Jeff

       Buck Construction

    Artistry In Carpentry

        Pittsburgh Pa

1. 
   Pelipeth | Mar 29, 2008 02:30pm | #4

   What year is it anyway! Your HAND NAILING???? Scary!!!

1. 
   JeffBuck | Mar 30, 2008 04:42am | #5

   yeah ... also realized that day I never did restock those short nails for the guns.

   so I did.

    

    

   then last week ... had a job where I needed short nails ...

   so I bought them.

    

    

   now ... plenty stocked on short 18g nails!

   but it's ok ... I'll loose half of them sooner or later ...

   then I'll be back to "regular stock".

    

    

   Jeff

        Buck Construction

    Artistry In Carpentry

        Pittsburgh Pa

2. 
   DonCanDo | Mar 30, 2008 05:03am | #6

   Help me out here... I just can't figure out what the short nails were for.

1. 
   dieselpig | Mar 30, 2008 05:32am | #7

   Probably shortened them so that he could sink them....he had a brick wall on the other side of the plaster.  View Image

1. 
   JeffBuck | Mar 30, 2008 06:00am | #9

   yup.

    

   plaster around here on the double brick walls is usually around 5/8th thick.

   so ... cut the nails down to 3/4 or so with some snips ...

    

   and I think they were 3d, not 4 ... and U can use them to tack the wood till the adhesive sets up. If it's not overdriven ... and doesn't bounce off the brick ...

   they actually hold pretty well on their own.

   depends on the plaster though ... some has more "bite" than other.

    

    

   I forgot what part of town I was in that day ...

   houses along the railroad tracks.

   they all had solid walls ... guess to keep the noise to a minimum.

    

   Jeff    Buck Construction

    Artistry In Carpentry

        Pittsburgh Pa

1. 
   RedfordHenry | Mar 30, 2008 03:13pm | #10

   Did you save the offcuts for when you need really short nails :>) ?

2. 
   DonCanDo | Mar 30, 2008 05:19pm | #12

   Thanks.  Got it.

   I'll be installing some crown molding on an upcoming job and it may be directly against the brick chimney (I don't think it will look good, but the customer hasn't decided yet).  Since there's no plaster to tack it to while glue dries, I'm planning on using crown backer (2X ripped at an angle).

3. 
   JeffBuck | Mar 31, 2008 11:16pm | #13

   the crown backer really is the best way.

    

   once it's set the whole job flows.

   Jeff    Buck Construction

    Artistry In Carpentry

        Pittsburgh Pa

4. 
   larryscabnuts | Mar 30, 2008 05:54am | #8

   Just like JD sez. I liked to do that on all crown.