How to Cut Crown Molding with Dentil Molding Attached

Make accurate measurements of the wall with a measuring tape. Even the most carefully cut pieces of crown molding will look sloppy if the measurements are just a hair off. Measure the wall twice, and write the measurements down before you pick up a piece of crown molding.

Make outside corner cuts. Set the miter saw at a left hand 45-degree angle, and place the crown molding on the saw. The crown molding should be placed with the top of the molding on the saw table. The bottom of the molding is typically the end with the dentil molding design; this end of the molding will touch the fence of the miter saw. Make the left hand 45-degree angle cut with the molding in this position. Make the second side of the outside corner by repeating this step, only changing the direction of the saw from a left hand 45 degree angle, to a right hand 45-degree angle.

Make the inside corner cuts. Cut the first piece of the inside corner at a 90-degree angle. The cut should be a flat cut that will rest directly against the wall. Cut the second piece of the inside corner by placing it upside down on the saw, with the top resting against the table, and the bottom resting against the fence. Set the saw to a 45-degree right-hand angle and make the cut. Finish the cut by using a coping saw to cope the leading edge along the angled 45-degree cut. Once the piece is coped it should fit nicely together with the first inside piece.