#Cabinet scribe moulding triangular professional

variation along an otherwise flush joint can be very noticeable, but if the casing or fascia is stepped back 1/4 in. By stepping back layers of trim to create reveals, the resulting shadow-lines help conceal minor discrepancies in joints that can develop over time. The movement of wood in response to temperature changes or due to the house settling makes it very difficult for flush, even joints to remain flush. These shadow-lines give the trim its depth and detail-in other words, its character.Īnd reveals do more than simply create shadow-lines. Since the upper boards are wider or deeper than the lower components, they create a reveal where the trim pieces meet, and this reveal results in visible shadow-lines. For example: Have you ever noticed that trim installations generally flare outward the higher they go? Think about fireplace mantels, door cross-heads and even crown molding the uppermost board in the trim package is always the widest. When designing a trim project, you can get very creative, but it’s usually a good idea to stick within certain general guidelines that have become common practice for good reason. And the fewer nails you use, the fewer nail holes you’ll have to spackle and paint. Furthermore, if you use a high-quality adhesive to fasten trim to a wall, then you won’t need to use as many nails. Did you know that a joint made with high-quality wood glue is stronger that solid wood? You should always use wood glue when joining miters and other critical joints that you don’t want to separate. Speaking of adhesive, it brings some big advantages to trim installation. The pins don’t have much holding power, but they can hold a small workpiece in position while adhesive sets. Plus, the thicker finish nail is more likely to split the wood than a brad.įor the advanced woodworker who is fastening very small moldings for intricate detail, a pneumatic pin nailer can drive 23-gauge headless pins that measure between 3/8 and 1-1/38 in. However, because of the fastener’s larger diameter, you will need to conceal the nail heads with putty.

The disadvantage to using brad nails is that they don’t have much holding strength for heavier carpentry projects, such as large crown molding or baseboards.įor larger, more bulky wood trim, you will need to use a finish nailer, which drives 15- or 16-gauge finish nails that are slightly larger than a brad nail, giving them better holding power. Once they’ve been driven into wood, brad nails are nearly invisible to the naked eye, reducing (or eliminating) the need for wood putty to conceal the head. These small nails are very hard to drive manually without bending the nails. A brad nailer is designed to run 18-gauge, fine wire brad nails. Spare yourself the frustration on trim projects and equip your circular saw with fine-toothed blade.Ī brad nail and finish nail might appear to be used for the same jobs, but each type of nail serves a different purpose. For example, a rough cut might require you to sand the cut smooth, but the act of sanding can alter the shape of the cut you just made, so it may no longer fit perfectly during assembly. A blade designed specifically for the application can increase the accuracy of your trim cuts, which helps when mating the joints. The higher number of teeth generally translates into smoother cuts, ideal for trim and finish applications.

Blades meant for crosscutting across the grain have more teeth, usually 48 or more, with a smaller gullet for a smoother cut. For example, blades best suited for ripping stock along the grain typically have fewer teeth with large gullets for easy chip removal. The quantity of teeth plays a significant role in the blade’s performance. One aspect of trim work that DIY installers sometimes overlook is the type of saw blade they’re using on their circular saws. Here are some pro-grade tips we’ve collected over the years.

#Cabinet scribe moulding triangular professional

If you want a professional looking job, then you should work like the pros do. To achieve a successful installation, however, requires carpentry skills, the right tools, careful planning and attention to detail.

Alternative Heating & Fireplace Insertsįrom crown molding and baseboards to elaborate door and window casing, trim work can add character to any room and makes for a popular DIY project.