Trim (Quick Guide)

Rating:
Summary: Trim (Quick Guide) by Mark Feirer
Review: I read the review posted by the person from NC. Wish I had read it before I became one of the "1.5" million who purchased this book. I am also relieved that I was not as dumb as I thought, as I also found the "step-by-step" installation techniques to be shallow and unhelpful. I must also admit I am a fair weekend wood hacker but it's been awhile since I installed Crown. I would suggest you look elsewhere or pay to have it installed!!

Rating:
Summary: Not recommended
Review: This is not a helpful book in explaining the minute details of trimwork. I am a rather handy homeowner and the book does not adequately illustrate exactly how to install molding.

For instance, a mere 1/3 page of actual text is devoted to installing crown molding, probably the most confusing type to learn to cut, as the author admits. At the single most crucial part of the process the book gives these enlightening instructions: "Cut the inside miter joint. Crown molding should be place in the miter box upside down. That is, the edge that will go against the ceiling when you install the molding should be placed against the bottom of the miter box when you cut."

The next instruction says: "Cope the miter. Use a coping saw to cut along the profile line created by the saw. The profile line is the front edge of the molding."

I hope I haven't spoiled the plot here, but the book fails to explain that you should make the second cut at a 45 degree angle or exactly how to cope a miter. If I knew these things, I wouldn't be spending my $8 bucks on this little book. The Ortho series "how-to" of books might be better, but I haven't looked at that one yet.

If you can learn to install trim using the Quick Guide, please come over to my house when you're done.