Can You Cut Crown Molding With a Table Saw?

Published on: June 7, 2022
Written by Eric Devin / Fact-checked by David Rowan

Crown molding is a decorative finishing element that’s normally used for capping cabinets, columns, and mostly for interior walls. As it’s only used at the top of a room, we use the term “crown” to describe the embellishment of the space. Traditionally made of plaster or wood, modern crown molding installation may be of plastic, foam, and MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard)

While compound miter saw, a standard miter saw is widely used to make a crown saw, a table saw is also used to make a crown molding. It’s a creative way to make a table saw.

Can I Use A Table Saw to Cut Crown Molding? 

A table saw is used to cut crown molding. But it’s not safe and there are other tools available in the market which are more effective for cutting a crown molding

How to Make a Crown Molding on a Table Saw?

Step 1: 

Firstly, select a design. Choose the design according to your skill and desire. Trace the design on paper and cut it out so that you can use it as a template on every piece of wood.

Step 2: 

Use a pencil to trace the template using a pencil. Then transfer the crown molding profiles to the end of the wood. The concave areas of the molding are called ‘coves’, sharp angles are known as ‘fillets’ and when a convex area transitions smoothly into a cove, this is called a ‘compound coves’. Make sure you have a saw that can do your desired cuts. 

Step 3:

For the curved area, you’ll have to tilt the blade and attach an angled fence to the table saw. The right angle is the one that aligns the fence-side start of the cove with the outside edge of the blade’s first tooth. Place the blade raised 1/16 of an inch and make the first cut to the side of the curve. Keep raising it slightly with every cut until you’ve reached the middle of the cove. Gradually decrease the height of the blade when you have finished cutting away the waste from the other side of the cove. You might need to experiment with different blade angles and heights to find the right one. 

Step 4: 

Now attach a rip fence parallel to the blade and adjust it so that the teeth will meet the pencil line of the fillet at 90 degrees. Use push sticks or push blocks to run the wood over the blade. Try to remove all the waste by making several passes.

Step 5: 

Use a card scraper as it will preserve sharp details and won’t blur them. 

Step 6: 

Now tilt the blade so that it will meet the pencil mark at 90 degrees. Start with the mild cut and raise the blade for subsequent cuts (from left to right). 

Step 7:

Use ‘Spring angle bevels’ to join the face of the crown molding to shape it. They are mostly cut at one of two angles: 38 degrees or 45 degrees. You will have to rotate the workpiece onto its edge for this cut.

Install a tall fence before cutting. Adjust the blade to your chosen angle and use a level box to double-check the angle of the blade. You will have to move the board across the saw while pressing the face of the workpiece into the fence.

Step 8: 

Lay the workpiece flat and cut a fillet on the front of the crown molding at the same angle as the spring angle bevel. After completing the coping joint and installing the molding, the top fillet will be perfectly vertical. Square your edges with a jointer 

Step 9: 

Wrap sandpaper around a similar cylinder and use this to sand the coves. Use a block plane to finish the compound curve.

Can You Cut Trim With A Table Saw?

When you buy a table saw, the main purpose of the tools is to cut the trim.  Set up the table saw and cut them at 45-degree angles as if you were going to install them in the corner where you are just planning to install the molding. Most of the table saws have mechanisms that you can cut at any angle other than 90 degrees. In exception, you will have to adjust your cut

What Saw Would You Cut Crown Molding With?

According to me, a power miter saw is the best for cutting crown molding angles. The saw is adjustable to cut any angle. Set the saw to 45 degrees for one side of a standard 90 degrees corner. It can be set to 45 degrees to the left or 45 degrees to the right.

FAQs

Let’s get to know about some FAQs about table saws. 

Is Working By Yourself Enough to Make A Crown Molding?

No. Working by yourself is pretty hard with crown molding. It’s a great idea to have someone assist you in taking the measurements and to help hold the crown molding in place while you nail.

Can Table Saws Actually Cut at Angles? 

Table saws are most commonly suited to rip. A table saw’s blade can be set for angles up to 45-degrees, so the miter gauge will allow your saw to make many of the compound cuts that are usually reserved for a compound miter saw or radial-arm saw. Push the stock into the blade to make the cut after adjusting the height and angle

What Is A Cove Cut? 

For cutting the occasional cove, feeding a piece of wood over the saw blade at a particular angle is the best way to go. Cutting a cove on the table saw is very simple. You just need to feed the wood piece over the blade at an angle

Final Words

A table saw can be used to make uniquely customized crown molding. The blade of the table saw plays many roles. It is used to make the variety of shapes that make crown molding attractive.

Though it’s not the usual way of cutting crown molding with a miter saw, this technique is just effective. As we wonder if a table saw can actually be used to make crown molding, a person with creativity and required skills can bring the best out of it.