Customer Reviews

Milescraft 1405 Crown45 Crown Molding Jig for Miter Saws

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

OK. This is suppose to be a product that makes it easier for someone who doesn't have experience installing crown molding, to do so. But there is just one major flaw. The instructions for this are terrible! They are in English/Spanish and are mostly diagrams and pictures of the parts. I had to study all 5 pages for 10 minutes to figure out just exactly how to set it up and use it. I bought this for a friend's small project. I will be returning it.

Let me see if I can explain some of its features and use. It comes folded for storage in it's cardboard box. The way it folds for storage is reverse of the way you fold it open to use it. I suppose the storage position is to keep it compact and keep the main hinge from getting damaged. When you fold it open you will find a red angled support piece under the top of the jig ( the top has the Crown45 logo on it and is yellow). You can place the two nibs of the red angle selector into one of three holes in the top. The holes are for setting the spring angle of your crown molding. 38, 45 and 52 are the degrees that you can set it too. The jig comes with 2 red right triangles that you can take off of it to use to determine the spring angle of your crown molding. One triangle is a 45-45-90 and the other is a 38-52-90.

After determining you spring angle you set the jig up for that angle. Then you place the jig on you miter saw bed facing the fence. You can now position the crown with right side up as you would install it. I found that by doing so, I effectively have made it easier to visualize the proper cutting of the crown, but I have made the actual cutting less precise by having the crown less firmly held on the miter saw. You will really have to hold the crown steady with one hand to get an accurate cut. In fact it is kind of dangerous. The plastic jig doesn't help with stability either as it is smooth and kind of slippery on my metal table and fence.

The components of the jig are all made of plastic except for the hinge pin and a nut and bolt. I don't expect it to last long especially if a tool gets set on top of it or it gets dropped or knocked of the miter table.

If you like nick-knacks or are just an especially big fan of jigs or a collector then you may want to purchase one. If you are a carpenter you will probably shy away from this after a couple of cuts. I don't really even recommend this for a novice either because it kind of makes it more dangerous to cut crown on a power miter saw due to the way you have to hold it. I would stick with the "upside down and backward" method of cutting crown. There are many resources on the web explaining this tried and true professionals method of cutting crown. May your projects be enjoyable, safe and fun.

I bought this jig after I tried to cut a couple of pieces and install with my new cabnets. Lets just say I was going to have to recut them due to fliping them the wrong way. With this jig there was no need of this and very easy to use. Theres pictures right on the jig telling you which way to turn your saw depending on what kind of corner your cutting, (inside or outside)You can also go to [...] to see this jig in action and it performs as good as it looks in the video. Just type in Milescraft or crown 45. Check it out before you buy. I DID! Hope this helps you mak up your mind on if this is the jig for you.

I've installed crown numerous times using the old manual compound miter saw method. On my most recent project, I figured I would give this jig a try. So, I put my project on hold, ordered the jig and waited for its arrival. In an weak attempt to please international languages, the instructions are mostly pictures. Then, they end with a suggestion to refer to the pictures on the package the jig came in... So, if I keep the jig, I have to keep the box...I ended up watching their video on youtube for additional instruction and demonstration.
Finally, I set off to make my cuts. I used standard 45 degree crown material available at any home store. Nothing special here. The jig is plastic. The henge on the jig is plastic. All that plastic flexes when you hold the material against the saw fence. The crown material slides down the facing of the jig and changes the dynamics of the angles. You have to hold the material suspended without support at the proper angle to get the target cuts. While doing all this, you have to keep the jig in place against the fence. Odds of getting a multiple cuts to align are low. This tool is a waste of money. It apparently wasn't tested using common 45 degree crown as the common 45 degree crown slides down the jig to incorrect angles. Also, if you are cutting a long piece, the jig elevates the crown material and you have no support at the non cut end of your material. Its just suspended in mid air.
To top it off, its a China import. I do like the idea of an inverse jig for cutting crown and will likely just build my own, out of wood...
Don't waste your money.

This is a good product and is very easy to use. I have cut every corner perfect so far. It has one draw back and that is there is no way to secure the jig to the saw.

I read some reviews pro and con. I bought it knowing it might not meet expectations. I used the Crown 45 jig after reading instructions ( 5 min ). I cut 45 degree 3 3/8 crown installed on 4 1/2 base in 24' x 18' room with inside and outside corners. I used a Dewalt 12" miter saw and Dewalt table. I can't say enough good things about this product. I am ready to do the rest of the house!

I was on the fence about this product but it does the job as described. I do wish that it was a little beefier because it seems a little on the flimsy side. I am satisfied with how it performed & my cuts are much better but no regrets.

This product is everything it says and more! It's a little confusing out of the box, but patience and rereading the directions a few times really helped. The best advice I could give is get some scrap would and give it a try! With a little practice and commob sense it makes doing a tedious and frustrating job (for me)much easier and simpler then I ever imagined.

Im' a wood worker, I made some cabinets and then after installing them I attemped to install crown trim, Well It was a challenge and I never finished, Crown trim sits at a 30 to 50 degree angle from its desired place and so when cutting you must cut compound cuts simultanously because the wood sits flat on the saw (miter saw), The difficult part is the placement of the blade since the resulting cut is on the bottom of the saw you cannot see where this is happening, thus you make an error nearly time. So this jig lets you cut the wood as you see it with your eye (or rather how your going install the trim in its place), or holds the wood so the cut can be seen, additionally when marking the wood with the face toward you so you can work around blems and such. YOU SIMPLY CANT CUT ACCURATE CROWN TRIM WITHOUT IT. Even a wood worker with years of experience with angles and bending wood I could not finish the crown with out it. I noticed a crown trim jig at the wood show this year and they had the same idea only they wanted a $1000 for their jig, this one was under $25 and it works great. A Must have, a standard issue for any cabinet installer. High Five!

Works well on most large 45 degree crown moldings, but leaves you holding the bag on smaller sizes. The engineering is not very well thought through, and I find the manufacturing is cheaply done. It does not hold position well on the miter saw and this can be very costly with degree cuts since it is plastic and it will collapse and slip around on the saw. When trying to move it into position for the cut slipping seems to be a major drawback of the design. It is my opinion, there seems to be better crown molding jigs on the market then this unit. I am looking at some reviews before I buy again. I learn by mistakes, save your money when it comes to buying this product.

I did a better job with my compound miter saw without the jig... don't waist the money apply the money to an upgraded saw!