I have been installing CM in my home with the help of the wife. As we all know CM is tricky to cut and measure correctly. But how about installation? Does anyone install it alone? If so, how do you support it properly at both ends before it is fastened. Would anyone like to share some techniques? Thanks
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Replies
Any number of ways. Nail just above the crown bottom line.
A hook that slips around a headed nail or screw. Lift up and remove when I get to that spot.
A prop with a weighted bottom.
Spring into the corner tite.
A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
It's like walpapering... It CAN be done with 2 people, but NEVER with a spouse.
I don't have any idea. I've worked alone for so long, I don't think 2 ever. But then again, if she was good looking...........A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
I bet you like watching those TV shows with the women in tool belts. You would think they would make enough money though to buy shirts that are big enough... :-)
But am glad they don't
http://jhausch.blogspot.comAdventures in Home BuildingAn online journal covering the preparation and construction of our new home.
They don't call 'em flat screens for no reason.
Prefer the real thing Matt. Better visuals.A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
I hang crown with "My New Helper".That way when she stretches up to hold the crown in place...
We must silence those who oppose freedom of speech.
"That way when she stretches up to hold the crown in place..."Has she ever asked why you always give her the short ladder?
BruceT
I work with lots of ob and it's a privelege to have a helper (especialy a pirty woman) but the nail does the best and if its theWIFE, or the owners WIFE enjoy the company and always make them FEEL NEEDED a sense of acomplishment is always needed
Amen, Brother!
A 2 person crew and a husband-wife crew are two totally different things.
http://jhausch.blogspot.comAdventures in Home BuildingAn online journal covering the preparation and construction of our new home.
Most of my trim work has been alone so never thought much about having a 2nd. Only the heaviest CM really needs the 2nd, the smaller stuff I line up one end, shoot it into top plate/studs and let the other end hang while I reposition the ladder and shoot it home.
There's an old article in Fine Woodworking about hanging crown by yourself. I think I have it. I can photocopy it and send it to you.
I've hung several miles of the stuff, some with a helper and some without.
Just yesterday we were finishing up the rec room and the carp that I work with did as Calvin mentioned, placed a nail just above the line where the bottom of the crown lands and use that to hold your end up while you fit the matting ends, then move along nailing the rest up, works fine.
I've used a technique where I have a 2 X leaning against the wall at about the height of the crown and just set the end up on it while matting the pieces together.
Doug
A prop or a nail or another inanimate object can't answer.
A good helper can.
A mediorcre or blind helper many times will answer wrong.
The first two have possibilities for success. The last is an exercise in futility.A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
A prop or a nail or another inanimate object can't answer.
I'm not sure I understand, thats just the thick skull I guess!
In a typical square room there are no questions to either ask or answer, first piece has butt cuts on both ends, next two pieces have one cope - one butt cutt and the last piece will be a cope to cope cut long, spring it in place and make any adjustments on your end pieces.
I think crown is easier to run then base because I dont have to crawl around on my hands and knees!
If I have a helper they are doing no more then the 2 X or the nail.
Doug
I agree.
A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
For solo work, stay away from MDF crown. Actually, you might want to stay away from it all together...
3rd Hand. Here's a link to the product......but you can do better than the price quoted:
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200304238_200304238
Happy
Holidays
I prefer one person. I measure with a leica disto. When I install, I use a pair of drywall stilts, stand in the middle and nail it with at least two nails. Then I walk to the coped end and fit that in place. I always make sure that the piece is nailed a little too close to the coped end, so that it will spring into place. I then walk down the length, nailing as I go.
Thanks for your input. What is a leica disto?
A Leica Disto is a laser distance finder. There is alot of distance finders that say "laser" but most of them are a waste of money. The Leica is a true laser finder, while alot of the others are sonic finders and use a laser to show where you are aiming.
The Leica is extremely accurate. If I remember right, it is + or - 1/8" in 650ft. They are expensive though. Depending on model, expect to pay between $400 to $700. I bought mine used for $300.
I would highly recommend them. I use it to measure crown and base. With my stilts and the Leica I can measure a whole floor for crown in 15 min. The only issue is that it works better to measure at a point 1 to 2 inches from the corner. I set the Leica to automaticly deduct 1/16'', because the drywall build up in the exact corner.
How do you like that Leica?
I've thought about getting one, or something similar, but wasn't real sure how accurate they are.
I work alone most of the time, as a finish carp, and a laser distance finder would be really handy if it's accurate.
A helper is only usefull if he or she is more efficient that a nail or a stud support, in my experience helpers ussually can't stay still enough so I can get a measurement, don't show on time, don't want to work late, their arms hurt from holding the CM, have selecting hearing and don't seem to know when they talk too much.
There you have it: a nail is superior to 99% of the helpers I know.
If you have to put up CM by yourself you'll figure it out.
I've installed thousands of feet of crown by myself.
I was wondering about the accuracy of the Leica range finder to make measuring easier.
"There you have it: a nail is superior to 99% of the helpers I know."
I used to have a helper...the husband of one of my wife's friends...a hairdresser by trade...He was out of work for a few weeks and my wife "suggested" he come and help me out with a large job I was completing. It was hanging a few new windows, a door and trim...I COULD use him to help set windows, so I relented and agreed.
He show's up in full HGTV carpenter gear...$4 gloves, knee pads, big eye protection, Lil Tykes tool belt, $6 hammer...you get the idea. Bought new the night prior. We set the windows and door without much fanfare or mess...it took most of the day. I tell him at the end of the day that I wouldn't be needing him tomorrow as what I had to do was really just a one man deal...he looked up with his puppy eyes and asked to come anyway, "just to watch and learn..." again, I give in.
That morning went by a bit slower due to explaining the why's and how's. We got into the afternoon and had a 10x12 room of crown to hang...I explain the setup, snap lines and install blocks. After spending 37 minutes to go over the reasons and methods to coping vs mitre the ends, we (I) cut the first piece and go to install it...I set up a plank to make the job easier and faster, demonstrate how and where to nail and finish said piece with no problems... I cut the second piece, cope it (why is it always harder to do this with an audience??) and prepare for install...Mr Helper insists on lending a hand on this piece as he "doesn't' want the cope to break"..??? ok...up on the plank he comes and is ready to help, nail gun in hand. I fit the cope to its new home as he is preparing his end for final takeoff (as I assume is happening due to the countdown he is reciting)...being used to working alone, I murmur to myself "ok, just need to set the middle and this (the cope) will fit in snug and tight...BAM BAM BAM!!! Mr Helper has just randomly nailed my crown molding right in place...with my framing nailer.( I use all Paslode cordless nailers and had the framer out to attach the blocking as I didn't have long enough screws with me at this time, and he had grabbed the framer thinking it was the finish nailer. I had ####/u/med it was my 18g pinner).
smiling in spite of himself at his accomplishment, Mr Helper asks if he should nail down his end..."that's ok, I got it. I don't normally use that nailer to set crown" is my reply, all the while wondering if I'm going to be able to hide the holes with caulking (thank Heavens for paint grade trim). once nailed off, I commence on the 3rd piece (which goes much smoother) and finish up double coping the last piece. Mr Helper grabs his end and is eager to once again. Once up to the wall, I test my side for the cope fit and ask how his side looks..."one sec...BAM BAM BAM!" "what the!!"
Mr Helper had to persuade his end with his hammer as it "wasn't fitting right"... I nail off my side and walk over to witness the hammered meat that was surely to be seen on his end...sure enough, it is there, mocking me with 3 nice smiley faces forever embedded in the wood. Silently cursing my wife for talking me into taking on this "project", I collect my thoughts and tell my helper we are done for the day... He thanks me again for all my help and reminds me if I ever need a helping hand, to just let him know...he leaves, I run to the store and get 3 new pieces and replace all but the first piece of crown in under an hour.
...to this day, all 8d nails are referred to as my "helpers". their damage is by far less than any human help I normally would get.it's ok to think you're as old as you once were...just so long as you don't try to prove it...
http://www.cobrajem.com
NK,
I either snap a line or use a block cut to the right measurement and a very shrap #2 hard pencil to mark the bottom edge of the crown.
I also carry some 16Ga straight finish nails(16G, not 16D. About 2" long is fine.). I break off a few, then drive them about halfway in just above the line in a few spots. How many depends on how long a run.
Then I rest the crown on them, push the top edge tight to the ceiling and trap it in place with one or two more 16ga finish nails driven into the ceiling.
Now, I cam move it into the proper position and work it from one end to the other.
I use the 16Ga straight finish nails instead of hand finish nails b ecause they are thinner and leave a smaller hole. If you're carefull, the holes will all but disappear when you pull the nails. They're easy to break off the strip with a knife.
And I never ever hang crown with my wife.
So, how do you solo guys measure crown? It takes me at least two nails. Oh God said to Abraham, "Kill me a son"
Abe says, "Man, you must be puttin' me on"
God say, "No." Abe say, "What?"
God say, "You can do what you want Abe, but
The next time you see me comin' you better run"
Well Abe says, "Where do you want this killin' done?"
God says, "Out on Highway 61."
I use a stick cut to 100",or some other convenient number, use that to mark the wall, and then just measure the distance left on the wall.
It really helps to have a measuring tape with a long reach.
Merry Christmas
So, how do you solo guys measure crown? It takes me at least two nails.
Any posible way that I can! <G>
BTW, I dont use the nail method. Often times I just hold the stick of crown up and mark the back side, on the shorter pieces I just use a tape.
Doug
I've installed plenty of crown solo.
I usually try to set the end that I'm not holding in a corner, then flex the crown a little to bow it out just a bit away from the wall. Then I secure then end that I'm holding, while maintaining the slight bow.
I then go back, set the corner and nail it.
Then I nail off the remainder of the piece.
A nailgun is a requirement for working solo. At least for working solo and not driving oneself absolutely nuts.
A helper? A helper, at least one that tries to be helpful, will often drive you nuts. I find it easiest to work with a complete novice who knows nothing or someone qualified who knows everything.
It's the "helper" who knows a little, but thinks they know a lot, and tries to show you how much they can help without knowing how to help, that can create problems.
Mongo
It's the "helper" who knows a little, but thinks they know a lot, and tries to show you how much they can help without knowing how to help, that can create problems.
Exactly!
Thats the point I was trying to make to Calvin several post back but I dont think I articulated it as well as you did.
Doug
I use the Zip Wall poles at an agle to clamp the CM lightly. Same thing as Third Hand Poles.
Best to you and yours, Chris.
Some say I know too much.