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In this How-To Guide of How to Make Crown Molding With a Table Saw, we will discuss in depth what a Crown Molding is and some comparisons with moldings related to it.
We will also discuss the steps to make a Crown Molding with a Table Saw without the rigidness of detailed steps but leaves most of it to your craftsmanship (Video included).
Ready-made Crown Molding VS
Custom Crown Molding?
The benefits of custom crown molding are that you have a wide range of materials to choose from for the look and feel. You will be able to improve the design by adding curvature if needed. If you want an artisanal material then this could also be an option for you. You can also choose a paint color to match your room’s décor so that it is not too stark against your other furniture and/or wall décor.
Some people may think they are at an advantage with ready-made moldings but this is not always the case as they do not always offer what customers want or need. For instance, they may not provide custom colors or designs and some of them are actually quite simple in appearance so they do not always catch the eye.
But with custom moldings, you can always choose your own color and design.
The decision between making moldings yourself or buying ready-made ones is really a personal choice and one which every customer has to make for themselves.
The purpose of this guide is to give you as much information as possible to help you make the right decision for your needs. It will also help you understand some of the benefits of making a custom crown molding of your own with a table saw.
Why Use a Table Saw for Crown Molding?
The best portable table saws are the best tool you can use for making crown moldings. This is because it provides a more accurate finish than other tools. It also offers customers more variety in their design and they are able to cut pieces of wood with ease using this tool. What’s more, |with the best table saw|, one also avoids the need for additional hardware such as clamps or a miter box in order to ensure that the molding stays in place.
While it is certainly possible to create crown molding with a router, there are advantages to using a table saw instead. For instance, for the purpose of creating crown molding with a table saw, you can use any size of stock or rip length. The length of the piece you want to create will not dictate what tools you have to use. You can also work with material that is up to 6 inches thick by making use of attachment pieces that can help you achieve this.
Another advantage is that the blade height and fence positioning are both easily adjustable so you have a lot more versatility in terms of design and shape than other methods offer.
How to Make Crown Molding With a Table Saw
Equipment Needed:
- Measuring Tape
- Table Saw
- Marker
- Drill
- Wood Glue
Materials Needed:
- Molding Board
Duration: 1 Hour 30 Minutes
Budget: $50-$100 (USD)
Just follow these steps:
- First, you need to get a project to use as the molding, measure how tall you want the radius of your crown, and cut it down.
- Next, place your molding where you want it on the ceiling and mark how far in from the edge that you would like your mounting bracket go.
- Then, place the bracket onto the molding and mark where the screw holes go.
- Drill a hole for each screw and tap them into place with a hammer and punch. The face of each bracket should be on edge so you can have your crown rise and fall freely when the lights are out.
- With some simple shaping tools, you can make a nice decorative molding that will add dimension to your ceiling. We find that it helps to have a helper while cutting your molding so that you can both hold it still while you cut it in half lengthwise with regard to how long you want your seams to be.
- Measure out equal cuts so that you can butt the molding up against one another.
- Once you have it shaped, it’s ready to be put up onto the brackets, just make sure that everything fits and looks right before you start putting up walls.
Now you can enjoy your new ceilings!
How to Make Crown Molding With a Table Saw Video
Other Kinds of Moldings
Crown Molding VS Cove Molding
Crown molding is a finishing detail that is applied after the wallboard has been installed. This molding is typically installed at the junction of two walls and comes out from both surfaces and meets in the middle. The purpose of installing crown molding is to create a finished look and give an illusion of height to ceilings that may not otherwise be tall enough to create this effect. Crown moldings are usually thicker than cove moldings because they need to support weight as well as being decorative due to their location being above eye level.
Cove molding is also used to create a crown molding effect on walls. This type of molding is generally installed lower than crown moldings and has a more decorative look. A carver will typically install cove molding in order to create texture on the wall that will be seen from below or at eye level. For this reason, cove moldings can be quite complex and have many different variations so that the design is best suited for its location in the home.
Crown Molding VS Chair Rail Moldings
Chair rail is another popular type of molding used throughout homes and commercial buildings. This type of molding is typically installed along the top of a railing and is much more decorative than crown molding. It is typically used with wood-frame homes and may be decorated with an ornately carved ceiling finish above it.
Crown Molding VS Flat Molding
Flat moldings are usually installed on walls that have been finished with another type of material such as crown molding. This type of molding can be used to create a visual transition between the wall surface and any other finished surface, such as wood or masonry. Common applications for flat moldings include at ceiling corners, wall intersections, or over doorways.
When installed on flat surfaces, such as walls or ceilings, this type of molding typically creates a pattern rather than a straight line across the surface. Often flat moldings are installed in conjunction with crown molding and other decorative moldings such as chair rail.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do you measure angles for crown molding?
The angle is up to you but the most common angle is 45 degrees. This is not because more people use this angle, but it just has been used for a long time and as you can see there are many different ways to cut the angle flat.
All of the angles given here are for an inside 45 degree angle and may look different if you cut on an outside 45 degree angle.
How do I know what type of crown molding to use?
The common types of crown molding are 3/4 inch, 1 inch, 1-1/2 inch and 2 inches. Any of these will work with your ceiling. The most common is probably 3/4 inch.
Should you glue crown molding?
Yes, for the purposes of security and stability. If the crown molding is placed against a wall, it may be glued directly to the wall and will be much stronger than one that is not glued.
Is it necessary to keep the walls dust free?
Yes, if you have dust in your home then crown molding will collect it and if the crown molding is not securely fastened, dust will get behind it and build up.
How long does a crown take to dry?
After it dried it usually took 48-72 hours but with this project, we did about 13 hours.
Does crown molding add value?
The answer to this question is not entirely clear. The value of the home may be increased by the addition of crown molding but it also depends on how much was spent.
If you spend a lot then you can expect this to increase the value but if you spend little or nothing, then it will be difficult for the crown molding to have any effect on how much your home is worth.
Can I use crown molding for baseboard?
Yes, you can use crown molding for your baseboard. the main thing that you have to do is cut the molding at a 45 degree angle.
What other table saw feature is needed to make crown molding?
One of the most important is the table saw fence, in fact knowing how to make a table saw fence on your own, a diy version can be of great help when making crown molding.
How to Make Crown Molding with a Table saw
Final Thoughts
This ends our How To Guide of How to Make Crown Molding With a Table Saw.
Other how to’s with a table saw is knowing how to make a zero clearance table saw insert. Having a zero clearance insert will also help you with making more accurate cuts for your crown molding.
We hope the knowledge you gained here will help you in the future with your DIY or Professional Woodworking projects. We want you to be sure of that what you get from us are 100% facts, so please don’t hesitate to ask for advice or to advise us in return with accurate facts.
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Henry is a long time Trade Instructor at Dunwoody College of Technology. Henry has been teaching the trade of carpentry for over 15 years and is excited to share his knowledge with the next generation of builders. With his posts you will explore some general terms, tools, and techniques that are helpful for the beginning DIY Enthusiast!. He’ll also provide a list of all the best tips needed to start your building journey right away!
