Walls and Ceilings - crown molding

How do you cope crown molding? Thank you Bill:confused:

that is a tough one. I don't think I would be able to explain it well enough without illustrations. Basically you cut an inside 45 and then follow the profile with the cope saw. Here this isn't too bad a description but be prepared to be frustrated. there is a little skill involved http://www.crownmoldingshop.com/coping.htm

I would practice on a little piece first, until you recognize how it gets cut.

I always have a semi coarse round file and utility knife at the ready to get the parts to fit well.

My .02

I use a jigsaw and a variety of rasps- flat, curved and round. In the illustration buiLDPro68 linked to, you cut an inside 45, then use the jigsaw to cut out the shaded part. It's important to hold the jigsaw flat on the cut surface (the shaded surface) so that the cope will be backcut the right amount.

Once you cut out all the waste, then you can fine tune it with the rasps. I use a thin Bosch jigsaw blade that is made for turning corners- it's thin like a coping saw blade.

If you're cutting the crown moulding on a miter saw, remember that you have to cut it upside down in order for it to be in position. The base of the miter table is like the ceiling, and the fence is like the wall.