Decorative Molding questions

[dknarnd]

My kitchen project is in the third quarter finally, I'm ready to install trim and have couple of questions. What is the difference between Brads and Finish nails and where/why would you use one over the other?

My other issue is that the run on one leg of cabinets across the top is about 8' 2" and the molding only comes in 8' length so I will have a seam somewhere. The molding is three pieces that will be stacked to give the final look which will bridge the 5" gap between my cabinet top and the ceiling. What type of cut do I use to butt this seam together. One end of the molding is a square cut against the wall, do I put a 2" piece there? Since this is three pieces stacked together should the seam be staggered instead of all of them lined up?

 

[rlk]

My other issue is that the run on one leg of cabinets across the top is about 8' 2" and the molding only comes in 8' length so I will have a seam somewhere. The molding is three pieces that will be stacked to give the final look which will bridge the 5" gap between my cabinet top and the ceiling. What type of cut do I use to butt this seam together. One end of the molding is a square cut against the wall, do I put a 2" piece there? Since this is three pieces stacked together should the seam be staggered instead of all of them lined up?

Perhaps you can look at a different store and find the molding in longer lengths. It will be much easier to purchase 10' pieces.

If you can't find 10' pieces, buy 2 eights of each molding and cut the bottom of the stack at 3' 2" and one at 5'. Cut the next piece at 5' 2" and 3'. Then cut the last piece at 4' 2" and 4'. (You can play with these measurements all you want by adding to one end and subtracting from the other end.) The main thing is to stagger the joints. Don't have all the joints stacked on top of each other.

If you try to use a whole 8' piece with a 2" piece, you will never get the 2" piece to match correctly. It is better to work with longer pieces. Plus, more than likely the 2" piece will split when you nail it.

Finish nails have a very small head, whereas brads have a larger head. You can countersind a finish nail then fill in the head, and pretty much hide where the nail goes. It would be hard to countersink a brad.

Cut all of your moldings at a 45 degree angle where they but each other.

Good luck.

Bob

 

[dknarnd]

Thanks....the molding comes from the cabinet manufacturer already finished to match the cabinets and only offered in 8' lengths. Your answers are what I expected to hear.

Except I'm still not clear what applicaton Brad nails would be used for.

 

[kennyd]

What is the difference between Brads and Finish nails and where/why would you use one over the other?
Brads are 18 gauge, and vary in length from 1/2" thru 2". Finish nails are 16 gauge (for guns that use straight collating) or 15 gauge (for guns that use angled collating) and vary in length from 1" thru 2 1/2".
Brads are usually for small decorative type mouldings/trim work. The larger and longer finish nails are better for baseboards and thicker mouldings.

What type of cut do I use to butt this seam together?
I always use a 30* or 45* angle to do the joints, also add a little glue. If you angle the pieces at the butt joint, the seams will be a whole lot less noticeable, especially in natural or prefinished stock that will not get filled and painted. Also try to center a seam over a stud so you can nail both side of the seams securely.

One end of the molding is a square cut against the wall, do I put a 2" piece there? Since this is three pieces stacked together should the seam be staggered instead of all of them lined up?
You should not add a "piece" less than 12" or so. You definitely want to stagger the joints for a better looking job.

 

[EddieWalker]

The previous posters did a nice job of answering your question about the molding. I usually cut mine at 22.5 degrees as it's notched in my chop saw. Then glue them together. When you cut them at an angle, the seam isn't very obvious as compared to a straight 90 degree cut.

My understanding on the difference between brads and finish nails is the strength. Brads have no strength to them. They bend and pull out easy. There are great for holding wood together while the glue is drying on finish projects, or are fine for baseboard and trim.

Finish nails are much thicker and are able to hold material together on there own.

Finish nails will have a noticable head on them, while brads don't have much of a head on them at all.

Eddie