Creating your own mouldings gives you several advantages:
- Selecting your own quality of hardwood lumber
- Ability to make your own custom molding profiles
Be aware that creating your own trim, casing or moldings will NOT save you money.
Using a router to make moldings
Be sure and select a router with a shank that can handle your job. Heavy duty routers often require bits with a 1/2 inch shank/
Router Bits: Types and Styles
Making crown molding and other styles of wood trim with different designs requires a vast amount of bits. High-speed steel and tungsten carbide make up most router bits. Carbide usuall has a longer life span while steel is good for altering existing profiles. Edge shaping routers come with a bearing guide that rolls along the wood to prevent burning and of course it also gives you a consistent profile and cut for the length of your piece of hardwood.
The two main categories of bits are Edge-Forming and Groove-Forming
Edge Forming bits - Typically wider bit blades
- Cove bits - for cove and beading styles
- Classic
- Ogee and Fillet - Roman Style
- Rabbet Bits
- Chamfer
- Roundover - Often used for shoe molding
Groove-Forming Bits - more narrow bit
- Core Box - Creates a rounded groove
- V-Groove bit
- Wedge Tongue - creates the tongue for tongue and groove style
- Wedge Groove - makes the groove for toungue and groove molsinf
- Ogee bit - groove with flairs
Making your own moldings can be a challeging task. Start with good equipment, planning and a quality hardwood lumber. Stay tuned for our making moldings tutorial.