Craftsman 315.21234 - Manual (Page 29)

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CUTTING CROWN MOLDING
The compound miter saw does an excellent job of cut-
ting crown molding. In general, compound miter saws do
a better job of cutting crown molding than any other tool
made.
In order to fit properly, crown molding must be compound
mitered with extreme accuracy.
The two contact surfaces on a piece of crown molding
that fit flat against the ceiling and the wall of a room are at
angles that, when added together, equal exactly 90
° . Most
crown molding has a top rear angle (the section that fits
flat against the ceiling) of 52
° and a bottom rear angle (the
section that fits flat against the wall) of 38 ° .
LAYING MOLDING FLAT ON THE MITER
TABLE
See Figure 38.
To use this method for accurately cutting crown molding
for a 90
° inside or outside corner, lay the molding with its
broad back surface flat on the miter table and against the
fence.
When setting the bevel and miter angles for compound
miters, remember that the settings are interdependent;
changing one angle changes the other angle as well.
Keep in mind that the angles for crown moldings are very
precise and difficult to set. Since it is very easy for these
angles to shift, all settings should first be tested on scrap
molding. Also most walls do not have angles of exactly
90
° , therefore, you will need to fine tune your settings.
When cutting crown molding by this method the bevel
angle should be set at 33.85
°. The miter angle should be
set at 31.62 ° either right or left, depending on the desired
cut for the application. See the chart below for correct
angle settings and correct positioning of crown molding
on miter table.
The settings in the chart below can be used for cutting All
Standard (U.S.) crown molding with 52
° and 38 ° angles.
The crown molding is placed flat on the miter table using
the compound features of your miter saw.
OPERATION
CEILING
W
A
L
L
INSIDE
CORNER
CROWN MOLDING FLAT ON MITER TABLE
38 °
52 °
FENCE
MITER TABLE
BOTTOM EDGE AGAINST FENCE =
RIGHT SIDE, INSIDE CORNER
LEFT SIDE, OUTSIDE CORNER
FENCE
MITER TABLE
Fig. 38
OUTSIDE
CORNER TOP EDGE AGAINST FENCE =
LEFT SIDE, INSIDE CORNER
RIGHT SIDE, OUTSIDE CORNER