Woodworking Tool & Product Reviews

Cut Crown Molding like a Pro!

Every so often a new tool comes along that you look at and say to yourself, "Hmmm-could it really be that easy?" Well, the EasyCoper Tool Company in Greensboro, North Carolina introduced a nice little "jig" that does just that.

Coping has always been a pain, because that thin coping blade never seems to make the turn when you want it to or you get less than a perfect angle of attack. Even "old school" finish carpenters will admit they have had to re-cut material or scrap-back molding because they couldn't fix a bad back cut with a rasp, knife or putty.

The EasyCoper consists of two light-weight, plastic jigs (one left, the other right hand cuts). The really simple aid allows you to cut molding with a power jig saw instead of a coping saw. That means less wrist, hand and arm stress.

The concept is amazingly simple and executing a coping cut is very easy. The only real mental gymnastics required are to prepare the molding to be coped. You still do that the old fashioned way – the same as if you were using a hand saw. The degree of difficulty for that task based on your skill level and availability of tools (miter box, chop saw or compound miter saw).

EasyCoper is pre-drilled so it can be fastened to the end of a work bench. Once the molding is mitered, it is placed in the jig (face up). To cope the molding, all that is required is that you follow the profile of the stock with the saw just like you would within a hand saw, but here, the jig forces you to cut at the correct angle every time and provides good visibility of the piece while working it. It can't get much easier than that.

Any jig saw will work, but a thin blade is a must. The manufacturer recommends Bosch T119BO as the blade of choice.

EasyCoper can handle crown molding up to 5 1/2". We even used it to the odd molding with good results – but may no mistake, crown molding is what it is designed to cut. We see EasyCoper as a time and materials saver and that equals money. Whether you are a carpenter by trade or a DIYer and crown molding is in your future, this is a must have for your tool box.

For more information about EasyCoper visit www.easycoper.com or click here.

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