Four Piece Cornice

Dan_Watson

I have a job coming up, 4 pc crown, wall freize, bed, soffit and crown. It is going up in a try ceiling. In order to not have a double coped side I figure I can take my mock up, screw it to the wall, then start the wall that would cope into that butt end. Seems like there is some room for error since I will be using a short pc as a temp place holder. Is there a better way of avoiding the double cope?

send_it_all

Miters.

Dan_Watson

No way, high end, 4 pc. I am not risking it with miters with what the HO is paying.

neolitic

I don't really understand what you're
asking.
I do a built up one layer/tier at a time.
There is still the same amount of coping
in each piece as if done as a one piece.
I don't know what you are asking.


(Inside miters may work in the desert....
the rest of us cope!)

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send_it_all

When you crown a square room using the coping method, you normally start with a piece that is square cut on both ends, the the next two pieces have a coped end that fits into the square end of the last, leaving the last piece needing to be coped on both ends...I think the question is..."Is there a way to avoid the double cope?"

I suppose you could start with the first piece still coped on one end, but leave the first 4-5 feet un-nailed, the slide the square end of the last piece behind the cope....you would have to use a scrap of the crown to start the first piece to check the fit of the cope....I guess that would work.

neolitic

I may be old, but I am slow!
How big is the room?
If it's very big you'll have one wall
with a splice anyway.
Make that the one with
the double cope and maybe that
will help with your anxiety?

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Dan_Watson

No anxiety, just trying to learn if there is a more efficient way, its a tray ceiling, 12' if that helps you visualize. Its a 11 x 9 rectangle, so no splices. With a 1 pc. crown I would have no problem using a scrap to check copes then build off of it, but with 4 pcs I imagine there is 4 times the room for error. I have never had a square room with built up before so I might just be over thinking it.

send_it_all

What's the crown made of? I assume it's stain grade, or we probably wouldn't be having this discussion?

Dan_Watson

No, its paint grade, why would that matter?

send_it_all

I see paint grade as a little more forgiving with the double cope as far as shrinkage. Particulaly mdf. It can be cut a touch long and "sprung" into place, or if the cope ever opens up a tiny bit, it can be caulked and it's not a catastrophy.

Dan_Watson

No its not a catastrophy, I just dont like double copes, or miters for inside corners, I would rather spend the little extra time and get it as close to perfect as possible, plus 3 pieces of double coped doesnt exactly sound like a party. Caulking is fine, but I prefer to keep it to a minimum, as it will eventually shrink, I do all my trim as though it is stain grade. BTW it will be solid wood.

send_it_all

Im with ya. Did you see my post about coping the first end of the first piece and then leaving it un nailed until you slip the last end of the last piece behind it?....That would eliminate the double cope and also eliminatehalf of the potential shrinkage problem on the last piece.

neolitic

You just do it one piece at a time.
Same as a one piece!

How do you eat an elephant?

You'd do fine.

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Dan_Watson

Yes I agree, thats what I eluded to in my post, I would use a short build up to test my cope against, leave the first few feet of my first wall hang, then when I slide my last wall behind my first cope nail it all up. Its good in theory, I guess I will let you know friday how it works.

Dan_Watson

Never had elephant, but yes I know one piece at a time.

neolitic

Maybe check this out?
I'm to tired to look up the issue,
I think it was last fall?
http://www.taunton.com/finehomebuild...14&ac=ts&ra=fp

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Dan_Watson

NIce, I actually have read that article, on more than one occasion, but it does not cover a rectangular room. Thanks though

neolitic

Cool.

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jeffaah

yes...nail up the 1st piece at the middle and toward the butt end. Don't nail the end that touches the mock up then remove your mock up untill the last peice is in. this just allows for fit adjustment and makes it easier to get the mock up out and the last peice in. The last piece of crown will slide behind your 1st cope.

I know many people that run crown this way. Personally I just double cope or end at an outside corner if possible

troubleseeker

Although double copes are not my favorite things, I think it is still preferable to slipping the last piece behind a pre-coped corner. SInce you are doing paint grade, the double cope is a pretty easy fit; cut a little long as suggested, and cope it to very sharp profile; when you snap it in place, the sharp profiles will bury themselves into the adjoining piece very nicely.