Kirsten|Kirsten

“Planning a crown moulding project? This handy guide is absolutely essential for getting your inside and outside corners cut correctly!”

- Kirsten Dunn


Materials


Disclaimer: Please see our guide to DIY Safety Basics, and as always, consult your product manual before using power tools.

Dan Luxmor created a handy guide for cutting crown moulding corners. These handy little “cheat sheets” can be used on any crown moulding project that requires inside and outside corners.

Let’s sync up on crown moulding terminology. Dan uses the “Cutting in Position,” method more commonly referred to as the “Upside Down and Backwards” method. Imagine you’re looking at crown moulding on the wall. If you take it off, flip it over, and put it directly on the saw – it is now upside down and backwards. He learned this from Gary Katz at a Dunn Lumber workshop.

Step 1: Square crown moulding to miter saw

Begin by making your crown moulding square to the fence on your miter saw.

cutting crown moulding

Step 2: Mark saw

Then trace where the moulding lines up on the saw. You’ll use this for reference to keep the moulding straight.

crown moulding tutorial

Step 3: Note saw settings

Take a minute to familiarize yourself with the three settings you'll be using to make the cuts on your saw: 45L, 90, and 45R.

diy crown moulding

cutting crown moulding

Step 4: Cut inside left corner

Now let's get started. We'll begin with the by making the Inside Left Template. Place the crown moulding on the miter fence and make sure it is square with the penciled in line. Set the saw to 45R and cut the right side of your crown-moulding piece. Then set your saw to 90 and cut the left side of your piece. Now label your piece LH ISC 45 (this means Left Inside Corner 45 degrees).

crown moulding template

cutting crown moulding

Step 5: Cut inside right corner

Inside Right: Place the crown moulding on the miter fence and make sure it is square with the penciled in line. Set the saw to 45L and cut the left side of your crown-moulding piece. Then set your saw to 90 and cut the right side of your piece. Now label your piece RH ISC 45 (this means Right Inside Corner 45 degrees).

right corner crown moulding

marking crown moulding

Step 6: Cut outside left corner

Outside Left: Place the crown moulding on the miter fence and make sure it is square with the penciled in line. Set the saw to 45R and cut the right side of your crown-moulding piece. Then set your saw to 90 and cut the left side of your piece. Now label your piece LH OSC 45 (this means Left Outside Corner 45 degrees).

left outside corner crown moulding

Step 7: Cut outside right corner

Outside Right: Place the crown moulding on the miter fence and make sure it is square with the pencil line. Set the saw to 45L and cut the left side of your crown-moulding piece. Then set your saw to 90 and cut the right side of your piece. Now label your piece RH OSC 45 (this means Right Outside Corner 45 degrees).

right outside corner crown moulding

sawing crown moulding