Cutting crown molding for trim or furniture can be intimidating, but the right tips and tools can make all the difference. In this video, Gary Katz, contributing editor to Fine Homebuilding and southern California carpenter, demonstrates how to cut crown molding, including the steps to take before making that first cut on your expensive length of trim. His technique used for installing trim also works in furniture construction. This video is excerpted from Gary Katz’s DVD, “Mastering the Miter Saw: Part 1.”

Katz will tell you that there’s no great mystery to cutting crown molding on a miter saw, especially if you know the right techniques. Using a mantelpiece as illustration, Katz gives a step-by-step tutorial on his method for cutting crown molding perfectly each time. He’ll cover techniques from the technique of cutting “upside down and backward,” to the modifications you must make to your saw, to the rules you need to follow to make sure your finished corners fit together perfectly.

For more tips and instruction on cutting crown molding, read Gary’s article in Fine Woodworking‘s special newsstand publication Built-In Furniture, or Katz’ article in FWW #178.

More from FineWoodworking.com:

• An Illustrated Guide to Crown Molding
• Video: Sticking and Installing Crown Molding
• All About Trim, Molding and Edging
• Saw Fence Accurately Positions Crown Molding