What is the ideal nail length for 18 gauge brad nailer for crown on top of cabs?

Use the Kapex angle tool to establish the two ends of the green diagonal and cut this piece first.  Test it with scraps cut with the corresponding angles to confirm fit before pinning in place with the 23ga.  You can come back at the end and brad nail if desired.

Cut the right end IC-45 (inside corner 45-degree) of the green 11-3/4" piece next but leave it long.  Fit it into the corner and mark the back side of the left end against the cabinet to cut the OC (outside corner).  Cut the green 12" B (butt) to OC next using the same technique to establish your length.  Glue up the two OC pieces using the squaring template, Collins clamps, 2P10 glue with accelerator, and 23ga pins.  Let them sit five minutes and install.

The green 48" piece is next (IC-45 48" B).  Cope the left end of the yellow 12-1/8", leave it long, check for fit, mark the back of the right end and cut the OC.  Cut the yellow OC 29-9/16" OC next.  Leave it slightly long - maybe 1/16".  The next piece is the yellow OC 12-3/8" B.  You can pre-assemble these three pieces as described above.

Cut the red 17-1/8" diagonal next just like described above.  The next piece is the hardest but not that bad.  Cope the left end of the yellow 55-13/16" and miter the right end.  Leave it slightly long - maybe 1/32".  Slip in the right end, bend the whole piece out in the middle, slip the left end into place and release.  If it's too tight to go in, shave the right end and try again.

The red IC-45 108-1/4 OC and it's return are done the same way as the opposing end.  You should be able to glue up these two pieces on the ground, too.
 
One more thing - I would add some nailing blocks along the top of the cabinets to pin the top of the crown to.  I will generally angle these a little shallower than the spring angle so that they don't push the crown over but you have to be careful not to pull it tight the other way.
 
Joe,

You went way above and beyond!  Thanks for your help.

I've been looking for an excuse to get a 23 gauge pin nailer.  Perhaps this is the time :)
 
You can do it with a brad nailer.  I mostly work in stain grade crown so that's why I use a pinner.  A brad nailer will give you a better hold and you can fill the holes in paint grade.
 
My wallet thanks you  ;D

(although my tool hoarder side is a little sad as I was close to justifying a Grex P635…festool green too )

deepcreek said:
You can do it with a brad nailer.  I mostly work in stain grade crown so that's why I use a pinner.  A brad nailer will give you a better hold and you can fill the holes in paint grade.
 
Well when you think about it, the 23ga pinner would be nice for stitching the pre-assembled outside corners.  Plus not having to fill all those nail holes is a real time saver!

I have the Bostitch 23ga 1-3/8" that shoots pins and the Cadex 23ga 2" that shoots slight heads but the Grex is very well regarded, too.
 
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