Bar Area Counter Miter Joint?
Hey Guys,
I’m finishing an oak bar counter with 4 inch oak ‘back splash’ around the perimeter. I am going to scribe an oak cap to the top of the splash using 1×2 oak stock rounded over on one side. My question is, should I be coping the inside miters on this or is this simply a simple miter joint? I know I have always coped mouldings, baseboards, etc. but I’m a little nervous on how this type of cap will look coped.
Any suggestions?
Thanks!
Replies
I can't picture exactly what you're doing, but in my experience a coped joint looks very little different from a mitered joint. Supposedly coping shows shrinkage less than a miter, so in a high-moisture area like you're describing, coping seems like a good choice.
Cope it IF..IF you can. There is a limit of practicality, vs end results.
A real PITA is one where you exhaust reason and follow tradition.
Situations demand concise judgment, that is what ya need.
After all, it don't have to tell time or play Claire De'Lune.
Is Gunner more happy, now.?
Is the 1x2 standing up or laying flat?
Flat
Yeah, miter. If it were standing up I would cope it.
Miter.
Use a little exterior carpenters glue if you are worried about moisture getting at it from the underside. The finish coat (laquer,varnish,etc) will protect the rest.
Get it done
move on
I agree, miter ("natural" finish, no?). With stock that thick, you could even "prefab" the corners - glue and nail from behind -before installing them onto the splash. Then you won't have to worry about separation when nailing, which is the main reason to bother with coping. The other reason, that a coped joint can "bend" tighter into a corner, probably won't matter either, since you're trying to line up with the splash. Make it pretty with color-matched caulk in the back. Tint it yourself, if you have to.