Coping Crown

[festooltim]

Their are a lot of ways to do coping. I tend too try and keep it simple  I like using a jig saw and the Trion works well. On some big crown I clean it up with the Ras but on simple stuff just a file and rasp work. I use a scrap with a 45 on it to match the cut I am going to cope. Does any one else use this method.

 

[Worm Drive]

I use the Collins coping foot, on an old Bosch jig saw.

 

[festooltim]

I have never used a Collins coping foot or seen it used. They also make a plastic jig to rest rest the saw on while coping crown but a simple scrap of wood works good and it can be cut to fit what ever you are coping.

 

[justinh]

I do the same as Worm Drive. Coping foot on a dedicated old Bosch jigsaw. Dave Collins has videos of it in action on his website and I'm sure you could find others out there. 

I know a guy who copes from the face with a flat base. It works well for him. He calls my set up "training wheels" and I tell him that the theme to Jaws should be playing as the blade chases his left thumb.

 

[Brent Taylor]

I know it's old school, but I still use a coping saw, razor knife, rat tail rasp and my 4 in hand rasp/file. I find it faster and I'm less likely to cut int the face of the work. I do use a sharp back cut and cut the work a little long so it spring into the other    piece. That way it cuts into the piece and requires little or no caulking/putty. The only time I use a power tool to cope is if there is a straight cut as in a base board and then I will back cut the straight area on the mitre saw. I was just thinking that you maybe new to installing trim and may not just know were the two parts should come together, so you will want to make up a guide block from a small piece of trim and draw a sight line on the work.  Brent

 

[deepcreek]

I use a Collins coping foot in a Swiss model Bosch barrel handle jigsaw.  Gary Katz uses a Trion.  Lucky dog!

The secret is twofold - Be sure to use the blades specified by Collins AND build his fixture to hold the crown at the correct position when coping.

I have mine set up at the right end of my miter saw station so I can cope the left end of each stick (cutting the crown in position, upside down & backwards.)

I keep a scrap nearby to test the fit and adjust as needed with a sanding stick.

In a square room working clockwise the sticks would be -

Slip Cope to Butt
Cope to Butt
Cope to Butt
Cope to Slip Butt

Ha! Ha! He said butt.  ;D

I use a short piece to position the cope on the first stick, nail it on the right end, put a 3rd hand clamp on the left end, and then slip the piece out.  When I get to the last stick, I temporarily pull the 3rd hand clamp to let the left end of the first piece sag so that I can get the butt end of the last stick slipped behind it.  Then I nail the last piece followed by nailing the rest of the first piece.  This is a two man operation.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

I have a coping foot on my cordless carvex.