Curved Moldings

I have decided to decorate the ceiling of my drawing room by applying chair rail type of molding flat on the ceiling. The georgian style I am after asks for some portion of the molding to be curved. Is it better to saw curved  pieces of wood and route the profile on them (to make my own molding) or take a straight molding and do kerf bending (I will have to fill the voids with putty and apply paint after)?


-Michel L. 

Montreal, QC 

Our Expert

You can laminate the curve however, the easiest method for making a curved molding is to bandsaw the curve and shape it afterwards. Although a laminate will be stronger strength is not critical because the molding is non-structural. 


Start by using a compass to draw the radius of the curve on 1/4" plywood. If your compass is not large enough make a simple trammel with a stick. Drive a nail in one end of the stick for a pivot point. On the opposite end drill a small hole for a pencil.


Next, bandsaw the curve and smooth the edges of the plywood. It's important that the curve is free of bumps or dips; it will serve as both a pattern for tracing the stock and a template for smoothing the stock.


Trace the pattern onto the workpiece and carefully bandsaw the curve. Now fasten the pattern to the workpiece to serve as a template for flush trimming. Flush trimming will quickly remove the bandsaw marks and smooth the curve. Finally, shape the profile along both edges of the molding.

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