Tuesday, October 10, 2006

Cutting plastic molding

Today's secret "woodworking" trick.
Crown Molding Crown Molding
If you have ever installed crown molding, you know what a bitch it is.  There are two angles that must be considered on every cut.  An out of plumb wall will drive you nuts.  I've done enough CM to know how to set my DeWalt miter saw, but what I don't like is painting the stuff, so plastic (solid, not foam core) molding sounded great. No paint needed, ever! After I purchased around 200' from Home Depot, I discovered an ugly truth about it.  When you cut it with a circular saw, it melts. 

My first work-around was to cut the piece, and quickly pull the glob of plastic off with my fingers.  Sumbitch, that hurt.  I put on leather gloves.  Sumbitch  that hurt,  I tried a kitchen spoon, a piece of wood ... nothing left me with sharp edges.

I trudged down to Home Depot to buy whatever saw blade is recommended for this stuff,

Me:  What kind of blade should I be using to cut this stuff and keep it from melting?

Expert: A very sharp hand saw.

Me: Excuse me?

Expert:  What are you using, a compound miter saw?

Me: Yes.

Expert:  Can't.  It'll melt. Use a handsaw.

Me: Not bloody likely.
After this setback I did what I normally do, I left the saw on the table for two months.  That way, if anyone comes over it looks like you're doing stuff.  Mother Superior knows that trick, and was getting increasingly antsy about getting her walls finished.  She came up with the solution - sort of.  "Spray the blade with WD-40."  Holy crap.  My can of WD-40 was missing the spray button, so I tried no-stick spray vegetable oil.  Works like a charm. 

You're welcome. 

One note: I used a power nailer on the plastic, but if you nail too close to an edge, it will crack. 
Crown Molding

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good Work! and a good tip. My sweetie and I just finished the interior of a rent building with panelling, sheetrock, dropped ceiling, plumbing--everything! and know how much work that is.
mary

Anonymous said...

I've used this stuff before. You want to use the finest-pitch saw blade you can find, and make sure it's sharp. The lube will help, but best of all is to use a motor speed controller to slow down the saw. I realize that's not cost-effective if you're just doing a small job, but if you're in it for the long run it's definitely the way to go.

One of approximately a half-million tips my Dad taught me.

Anonymous said...

Once again, off topic, Rodge is used that from me by now, but it is a trick you should know.
Gorilla glue. Yessir, Gorilla glue. I doubt I'll ever hammer or screw again. That stuff can bond, man, it can bond. Recently did a metal on wood job, and better than the screws that were previously there.
You're welcome.

Anonymous said...

Nothing I know of is stronger than 8115 3M two part epoxy,we in the collision world glue metal parts like,quarter panels,roof tops,door skins instead wielding.Rodger, if
you want some I would be more than happy to send you a package for free .Boazo

Rodger the Real King of France said...

I would indeed Boazo.

Anonymous said...

Roger, give me a way to send it, and will do.Boazo My e-mail is on SondraK's site.

Rodger the Real King of France said...

I don't see no Boazo there ... see me here pecksnif-at-verizon.net

Anonymous said...

Tear it all down, and re install it RIGHT SIDE UP! OY GEVALT I can't BELIEVE you hung your crown upside down. Love your site, worship your photoshops, horrified by your home "improvements".

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