Installing base, crown, and window molding

[edslhead]

Molding is easy. Cut all the long pieces first so you can use them elsewhere after you screw them up. Make sure nobody is home while you work, it could save a marriage. Dont drink. Buy twice as much molding as you think you'll need. Take that ridiculous guard off the chop saw and finally if you can afford it , hire someone.

 

[Dungannon]

Have only had to do it a few times helping with my kids older homes. Cut the longest pieces first; used the off-cuts to make short test pieces when I wasn't sure. Learned that in old houses, almost nothing is level, plumb or square.

 

[ColeInOregon]

The most useful thing I do is to put painters tape on the out side of my tape measure, I use this to write my measurements on, saves me trip back from the saw.

 

[dplev4]

You wrote that you have a compound miter saw, so it should bevel cut too, if needed. I've screwed up a time or two, but that's part of the learning curve. Buy a bit more than you need and go for it.

 

[Tarawa86]

You can always cheat and get crown molding corner blocks!

That does oddly look like cheating, and somehow unmanly, although I'm not quite sure why...

 

[CHLChris]

A couple of little things.

1) keep a pencil at both ends rather than carry one around...or you're bound to forget it multiple times

2) work on 2 pieces at a time. Since I tend to cut pieces a hair long the first time, I have to go back anyway. Thus, I'm always working on a "long" piece and the confirmed cut. Then, the next time at the saw is the confirmed cut of the previous long cut and a long cut of the next piece. Often, my "long" piece was right to start with (good thing I cut it "long").

3) I'm just a homeowner, don't listen to me. Though I have cut 3 houses worth of base and window trim, I still use tons of White Lightning to fill in my gaps.

 

[Heyjoe]

Don't use intricate profiles. Clean square trim with mitered joints is the current look. I like it personally. Good luck man!

 

[clearconscience]

Kreg makes a nice crown jig.

My suggestion is buy lots of caulk.
It's hides imperfections. Which you will have.

 

[cigars]

I saw a jig or something advertised recently that made cutting the crown molding very easy.

Lies, it's all lies!!!!!!

 

[cigars]

You wrote that you have a compound miter saw, so it should bevel cut too, if needed. I've screwed up a time or two, but that's part of the learning curve. Buy a bit more than you need and go for it.

I've got a nice Dewalt dual compound sliding miter saw. It makes quality cuts, for sure. However the mental arithmatic required for such beautiful cuts is another story. Again, God bless the pros who do this sort of thing without even thinking.

 

[coop44]

Buy extra moulding, there is a learning curve. Cut the shortest pieces first. Remember: if it's too short, cut it again!! Paint it first, before anything, if your walls or whatever aren't perfectly flat ,(never are) get spackle too. Use 1x ripped to the right width mounted to the ceiling as a "nailer".
crown moulding is cool, but a real pita.

 

[11Charlie]

I'll come do it for $40 an hour and a new pistol

 

[DB is Here]

Be sure to square up your miter saw, all the jigs, tricks and tips are worthless without a trued up saw.

 

[DirectDrive]

I'll come do it for $40 an hour and a new pistol

I'll do $45 and no pistol.

 

[ineedaname]

Buy extra moulding,you'll need it.

 

[ineedaname]

And a speed square,,

 

[DirectDrive]

And a speed square,,

OK
I want some "Journeyman's Secrets"
What are use going to use the Speed Square for ?

 

[ineedaname]

I always mark cuts with square,,

 

[DirectDrive]

I always mark cuts with square,,

Oh

I make teensie mark and then cut with saw.

 

[ineedaname]

Each his own,,,you tube ''finish carpentry tv'',,that guy is talented.