Cutting Crown Molding

Woodworking - How to Cut Crown Molding with a DEWALT Miter Saw

Cheat-Sheet Vertically Nested vs. Laying Flat

How to Cut Crown Molding: Non-Compound Method (Vertically Nested)

The advantage to cutting crown molding using this method is that no bevel cut is required. Therefore, when adjusting the saw for out of square corners, the user needs to only adjust the miter system, as opposed to both miter and bevel systems when laying crown materials flat. 

All DEWALT Miter Saws have a tall sliding fence to support larger crown molding nested vertically against the fence. When cutting with this method, use the crown stops to support material.
 

The capacities cutting crown vertically on each saw are as follows:
DW713 -- up to 4-1/2” crown
DW715 -- up to 5-1/4” crown
DW716 -- up to 6-5/8” crown
DW718 -- up to 6-5/8” crown

Always Remember:
When cutting crown molding in this orientation the bottom of the molding goes against the fence
(Bottom of molding is decorative side).



How to Cut Crown Molding: Non-Compound Method (Vertically Nested)

Bottom of the crown molding - rest against fence
Top of the crown molding - rest against table
Angled “flats” on back of molding must rest squarely on the fence and base of the saw

Crown Molding Vertically Nested Against Fence - Decorative Edge is Always Against the Fence

INSIDE CORNER OUTSIDE CORNER

Left Side:

  1. Miter Right at 45º
  2. Save Right End of Cut

Right Side:

  1. Miter Left at 45º
  2. Save Left End of Cut

Left Side:

  1. Miter Left at 45º
  2. Save Right End of Cut 

Right Side:

  1. Miter Right at 45º
  2. Save Left End of Cut

How to Cut Crown Molding: Compound Method (Flat)

When setting bevel and miter angles for all compound miters, remember that: The angles presented for crown moldings are very precise and difficult to set exactly. Since they can shift slightly and very few rooms have exactly square corners, all settings should be tested on scrap moldings. The following two chart shows settings are for all U.S. Standard Crown Molding with 52° and 38° angles, and assume that the angle between the wall is 90°. The chart at the end of this article lists the appropriate miter-bevel settings for both 52°/38° and 45°/45° Ceiling Wall Crown Moldings with angle-between-wall ranges of 67°-179°.

PRETESTING WITH SCRAP MATERIAL IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT!


How to Cut Crown Molding: Compound Method (Flat)

  • Molding laying with broad back surface down flat on saw table.
  • You must flip the material around to cut both ends of the inside and outside corners.



INSIDE CORNER OUTSIDE CORNER

Left Side:

  1. Top of Molding Against Fence
  2. Bevel Set at 33.85º
  3. Miter Right at 31.62º
  4. Save Left End of Cut

Right Side:

  1. Bottom of Molding Against Fence
  2. Bevel Set at 33.85º
  3. Miter Left at 31.62º
  4. Save Left End of Cut

Left Side:

  1. Bottom of Molding Against Fence
  2. Bevel Set at 33.85º
  3. Miter Left at 31.62º
  4. Save Right End of Cut

Right Side:

  1. Top of Molding Against Fence
  2. Bevel Set at 33.85º
  3. Miter Right at 31.62º
  4. Save Right End of Cut
* Top of molding doesn’t have decorative edge
* Bottom of molding has decorative edge

Compound Method (Flat) Using DW716/DW718 Double Bevel Miter Saws

  • Molding laying with broad back surface down flat on saw table.
  • Top of the molding always rests against the fence for all cuts. No need to flip the material.
INSIDE CORNER OUTSIDE CORNER

Left Side:

  1. Top of Molding Against Fence
  2. Bevel Left at 33.85º
  3. Miter Right at 31.62º
  4. Save Left End of Cut

Right Side:

  1. Top of Molding Against Fence
  2. Bevel Right Set at 33.85º
  3. Miter Left at 31.62º
  4. Save Right End of Cut

Left Side:

  1. Top of Molding Against Fence
  2. Bevel Right Set at 33.85º
  3. Miter Left at 31.62º
  4. Save Left End of Cut

Right Side:

  1. Top of Molding Against Fence
  2. Bevel Left at 33.85º
  3. Miter Right at 31.62º
  4. Save Right End of Cut



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