Working around Eastlake Door Trim

[MRDucks2]

The interior door trim of our new old home has "crowns" above the corner block in two different patterns. As we are finishing the kitchen area out with corrugated tin and 1/2 inch colored poplar, these hand cut pieces of 127 years ago posed a challenge.

At some point at least some of these were glued up. They are not flat and stand about an inch off the wall. As such, I needed a pattern. After trying a couple of ideas unsuccessfully, I peeled one side off of some of than foam core poster board and placed it foam side down over the crown. Tapping it with a wide faced hammer gave me the imprint I needed.

Cut the inside out and trimmed to a good fit before transferring to the board and cutting it out on the scroll saw. Could have been nostalgic and used a coping saw, but it was more fun swinging a 4 foot board around a 16" scroll saw. Fortunately it was a simple pattern.

just felt like the foam poster board and mallet idea was worth sharing.

 

[FGarbrecht]

That's a great idea! My century home has details almost identical to this, so if I ever paint I'll be using this trick. Hopefully I won't have to use it

 

[magpens]

"just felt like the foam poster board and mallet idea was worth sharing."

Yes, indeed. . An idea that could come in handy. . Thank you !!

 

[KLJ]

One worth remembering thanks.

 

[Dalecamino]

Next time I have a challenge, I'm calling YOU! Great work Mike!

 

[Bob in SF]

Great, Mike - thanks!

 

[wolf creek knives]

Very ingenious Mike. I've never ever considered using foam board like this and could have used this trick on other projects. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Displaced Canadian]

Great idea. Part of the fun of old buildings is you have to be part historian to work on them. I swear they have a soul.

 

[MRDucks2]

Great idea. Part of the fun of old buildings is you have to be part historian to work on them. I swear they have a soul.

That is so true. I owned a couple of historic retail buildings some years ago. People always ask if it takes a lot of money for upkeep. I tell them it's not a money thing, to keep these old buildings alive it takes a little money, blood and sweat in the right combination.

 

[pshrynk]

That is so true. I owned a couple of historic retail buildings some years ago. People always ask if it takes a lot of money for upkeep. I tell them it's not a money thing, to keep these old buildings alive it takes a little money, blood and sweat in the right combination.

And a lot of heart and soul. We're on our second 100 year old Lady and she tends to fight back at times...

 

[MRDucks2]

And a lot of heart and soul. We're on our second 100 year old Lady and she tends to fight back at times...

We are thankful we found this one already restored with great historical accuracy and tons of original character. Lady restored and got it listed on the national historic registry. Now all we need to do it take care of it and keep it up. I no longer have the energy/desire to take on a full restoration and my pockets aren't deep enough to pay someone else to do it. This one suits our needs perfectly.

 

[pshrynk]

Although I keep swearing that my next home is going to have a lobby and an elevator, I have deeply enjoyed having "historical" homes. Both of ours were built by local robber barons and had tons of decadence touches. The first, built in 1918, had a original structure shoe closet. From back when you would own maybe two pairs of shoes.