My Old Workshop | Category Archives: TrimTrim Archives

Home improvement and renovation tips

Nailing tips

Even the best carpenters don't always hit the nail on the head. A slip, or one too many hits can mar that nice trim finish wood. If you want to guarantee a perfect finish, try this. Lay a small piece of pegboard, a shim, or a piece of 1/8" panelling or plywood on the piece ...

Tips to cut perfect angles in wood

A compound miter saw is great for cutting angles or bevels when the stock is laying flat on the table. But it can be tricky to make the cut in the precise spot with the blade on an angle. Here are three tips to make yours accurate. 1. If one end of the piece is ...

Top 10 trim tips

Looking back at the archives, we pulled out a few of the trim tips that will save you time and give you a job you can be proud of. 1. Always leave a reveal around window and door casing. That's the little 1/8" or so edge of the jamb that you can see on the ...

How to repair dented wood

Ever missed the nail and dented a piece of trim or other finish wood? Accidentally banged a door? A blemish you'll notice forever, right? Maybe not. You may be able to make the dent disappear as if by magic. Here's how. Tear an old sheet into a five or six pieces five times larger than ...

Sanding secrets from the pros 2

Last time we looked at a few of those amazing sanding tips those workshop guys seem to have so much time to come up with. But, actually, some of them are pretty neat. Here are a few more. To make sure you're sanding the entire surface of a piece, draw a bunch of squiggles over ...

Sanding secrets from the pros 1

Some people really get into sanding. I mean really. Here are some of the nifty tricks they've come up with in their never-ending quest for sanding Nirvana. If you're sanding an intricately shaped molding, it can be tough to get into all the nooks and crannies without dulling the corners and sharp edges. One trick ...

Three tips to better miter joints

Miter joints -- so simple in theory and execution -- often end up less than perfect. Here are a few tips to help you avoid relying on caulking or filler to finish them off. Backcut When you think about it, the only part of the miter that has to meet is the outside, visible, edge. ...

Crown molding installation tips

In the last two articles, we've helped you get a perfect fit in your crown molding corners. Here are a few more tips to help you through the job. Getting a grab with a nail isn't always easy with crown molding. You can try and locate the studs or hope to hit the top plate. ...

Cut perfectly fitting crown molding corners (Part 2)

Armed with the actual angle in the corner of your room, you're ready to cut your crown molding. You may think the best way is to split the angle, then place the crown molding in your miter saw on an angle, as if it's up against the wall and the ceiling. But it's easier to ...

Cut perfectly fitting crown molding corners

We've talked before about how coping trim is the more traditional and craftsmanlike approach to corner joints. But with newer materials, such as MDF, which don't shrink, you can still rely on the basic miter cut for inside and outside corners. However, if you've ever attempted to install baseboards, or ceiling crown or cove molding ...