Cutting crown molding - DIY Chatroom

helpless handyman · 08-22-2009, 02:50 PM

After 2 years of installing the kitchen cabinets, I am finally getting around to installing the crown molding on top of the cabinets. The cabinets are maple, and the crown molding is also maple from kraftmaid. The problem is that these moldings only comes in 8' . My cabinets go 10"9", so I have to use 2 pcs. Which is the best way to join these 2 pieces so that the seem doesn't look so obvious?
Thanks!

Willie T · 08-22-2009, 02:57 PM

Frankly, I'd shop around for other molding. A pain, I know, but doable.

rredogg · 08-22-2009, 03:26 PM

The BEST answer it what Willie T suggest. Another alternative for joining the wood is a SCARF JOINT.

I'd also think about Coping the inside corners if they are close to 45 degrees.

Best of luck with the project, rredogg

helpless handyman · 08-22-2009, 04:10 PM

I would, but these were very expensive, over $100.00 a piece! These are real wood, not that cheap crap in home centers. I know the professionals have a way on joining these together, I'll wait for some responds.

Thanks

cabinetman · 08-22-2009, 04:10 PM

I also vote for a scarf joint if you can't find longer stock.

ARI001 · 08-22-2009, 05:57 PM

Dowel two 8' foot pieces together, you may need to put a mending plate on the back to re-enforce the joint. If it's pre-finished you may want to order a touch up kit. Always cope inside corners.

Willie T · 08-22-2009, 06:50 PM

$12.50 a foot, uninstalled, seems a bit on the pricey side. You should be able to locate molding for a lot cheaper than that... like maybe half.

Paragon · 08-22-2009, 09:14 PM

I am guessing that they are prefinished to match the cabinets? Also I am hoping that they are very ornate? If they aren't either one of these $12.50 a foot is a VERY steep price. If you can return them I would.

The best approach to your situation is a scarf joint. Whatever method you use make sure there is a bevel involved and please WHATEVER you do PLEASE do not butt the two pieces together and go on with installing them that way this is definitely not a professional touch but if worse comes to worse and you decide to go with this method it is not the end of the world either. I am not sure if you have worked with crown but just remember the rule for cutting crown is upside down and backwards unless you purchase one of the many devices on the market such as cut n crown jig or another similar device (NO ENDORSEMENT INTENDED PURELY REFERENCE MATERIAL)

Also get yourself a coping saw and be prepared to cope the ends and if there are any questions as to the proper method of how to determine which pieces to cope I always leave my longest or unwieldiest pieces as is and cope the shortest pieces for esability sake.

Good luck and I hope I have contributed.

helpless handyman · 08-22-2009, 09:28 PM

Thanks, they came with another piece that has a groove on it, that gets installed behind the molding. They were like $80 bucks a piece, and yes they were very expensive, but has a beautiful detail, and are prefinished to match the cabinets. They're also pretty wide and heavy wood material.

Thanks, just have to learn how to do a scarf joint, I definitely don't want to butt join them.

Paragon · 08-22-2009, 09:30 PM

A scarf is nothing more than a compound angle cut one way one one and the identical angle on the other. So lets say you choose 45 just choose 45 the other way on the other side.

GBR in WA · 08-22-2009, 11:19 PM

A little help: http://books.google.com/books?id=7XU...0joint&f=false

http://books.google.com/books?ei=8h0...joint&as_brr=3

Be safe, G

ARI001 · 08-24-2009, 11:30 AM

A doweled, biscuted, splined, or finger jointed butt joint is probably going to work better for this particular application. Scarf joints are fine for mouldings that will be painted or are bid on economy or custom standards. Premium trim work requires a better joint. You will have less likliness of the joint showing if you join it using one of the aforementioned techniques. If you do use a scarf joint make sure you at least reinforce it with glue.

elarreau · 08-29-2009, 03:30 AM

Also, try not line it up with any other lines in the cabinetry because this will draw attention to it. For example, don't put it directly above the edge of a cabinet door or the seam between cabinet doors. The scarf joint being on an angle helps keep it from lining up with other lines on the cabinet.

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