Cutting 100 feet of crown molding with a miter saw versus a coping saw

I had to install crown in an old house with uneven walls, so I tried the miter saw method first and it left gaps everywhere. After three pieces, I switched to coping the joints with a coping saw and the fit was perfect, no caulk needed. Do you think coping is always the better way for old work, or is there still a place for miter cuts?

2 comments

2 Comments

rosejackson1mo ago

Is it really that bad to just use some caulk? I get that @the_nathan had a rough time with his old house, but most places aren't that far out of whack. A good miter cut and a little filler gets the job done fast, and nobody but you will ever notice. Coping takes forever and you need a really steady hand. For a whole house, that time adds up.

the_nathan1mo ago

My last project was a 1902 craftsman with walls that were nowhere near square. I tried to force miter cuts on the first few pieces and the gaps were almost a quarter inch in some spots. Once I switched to coping, every single joint pulled tight. In my experience, coping is the only reliable method for any house that isn't brand new construction. A miter saw is great for cutting the lengths, but I wouldn't trust it for the actual joints on old walls.