Cornice molding creates a decorative transition between the wall and the ceiling. Wood cornice molding can be made from dimensional lumber and routed on a router table. There are many cornice molding router bits on the market to suite any room's design aesthetic, from simple to ornate. The mitered edges that allow the molding to sit at an angle between the wall and the ceiling also can be cut on a router table, using a molding edge cutter. With a little work, you can make a completely custom molding treatment for your room.
Instructions
1. Calculate the dimensions of the room to determine the number of boards you will need. Plan to make extra molding in case you make a mistake or need a replacement piece later on.
2. Set up the router table with the cornice molding bit. Adjust the depth of the bit so it will rout the complete profile of the bit onto the 3-inch-wide side of the boards. Adjust the router table's fence so that it will rout the complete profile into the 3-inch-wide side of the boards. The distance from the fence to the bearing on the bit should equal the 1-inch thickness of the board.
3. Turn on the router. Run the boards through the router with one 3-by-96-inch side flat against the fence and one 1-by-96-inch side flat against the router table. This will rout the decorative profile onto the 3-by-96-inch side of the board. Turn off the router.
4. Remove the cornice molding bit. Insert the molding angle bit. Adjust the height so it will cut off an angle on the edge of the 1-inch thickness of the boards. Position the board so the router will cut the angle on the back side of the decorative cornice molding profile. Adjust the fence so the 3-inch-wide side can be run flat against the surface of the router table. The bearing on the bit should ride on the 1-inch-thick side.
5. Run the boards through the router table with the decorative cornice molding profile facing up. Rout each 1-inch side of the boards so there is an angle on both edges of the that is opposite the side with the molding profile.
6. Sand the cornice molding boards, using a progression of medium and fine-grit sandpaper until the molding is smooth.
Tags: cornice molding, router table, 3-inch-wide side, side boards, flat against, molding profile, side flat