How to Cut Molding for Cabinet Tops

Cutting Inside Corners

• 1

  Place the crown molding upside-down on the miter saw. Place the part of the molding that will rest against the ceiling flat against the base of the saw. Place the part of the molding that will rest against the cabinet flat against the back plate on the saw.

• 2

  Rotate the saw to its center position, or zero degrees.

• 3

  Position the crown molding to the right side of the saw, so you will just be cutting off a small piece from the left end of the molding. Since the molding is upside-down, this piece of molding will actually fit on the left side of the inside corner. Turn the saw on and cut the molding.

• 4

  Remove the first piece from the saw and place a second piece of molding on the saw. This piece will make up the right side of the inside corner. Place this piece of molding upside down as well.

• 5

  Position the crown molding on the left side of the saw and rotate the saw 45 degrees to the left side. Turn the saw on, and cut the molding.

• 6

  Draw a line on the cut edge of this second piece of molding, along the profiled front of the molding. Use your coping saw and cut the bevel, following the line you just drew. This piece of molding will fit against the square cut end of the other piece of molding.

Cutting Outside Corners

• 7

  Place your crown molding on the miter saw in the same way that you did for the inside corners.

• 8

  Position the molding to the right of the saw to create the left side of the corner. Rotate the saw to the left a number of degrees equal to half of the angle of the corner, which usually ends up being 45 degrees. Start your saw and cut the molding.

• 9

  Place the second piece of molding, which will make up the right side of the outside corner, on the left side of the saw. Rotate the saw to the right a number of degrees equal to half the corner angle, and cut the molding. These two pieces will now match up when you install them on top of your cabinets.