How to Build a Column with Molding

Materials and Tools:

table saw
air compressor
pneumatic nail gun
tape measure
carpenter's glue
safety goggles
15 poplar 3/4"x 8"x 8' boards
six poplar 3/4"x 4"x 8' boards
eight poplar 3/4"x 2"x 8' boards
House of Fara MDF base
House of Fara reversible flute
House of Fara oak colonial panel
sandpaper
two paint brushes
two paint rollers
two gallons MAB Paint Genna
pencil

Steps:

1. Measure the space for columns (ceiling to floor for height) and determine how wide your columns will be and how many columns you want to make. Using tape measure and level, mark your measurements on a piece of poplar.

2. Set the table saw blade to a 45-degree angle to create miters on the poplar. Measure to determine width of wood. Wearing safety goggles, cut the poplar with table saw. Repeat this process to make four sides of wood that will become the pilaster.

3. For the front wall, we changed the blade on the table saw by putting a fence on it to create two mitered returns on the poplar. Run the piece of poplar through the table saw on the opposite side of the mitered edge. Cut the edges off the poplar with a circular saw.

4. Measure and cut blocks for both ends of the poplar to hold the joined sections together. Working on the back columns, use a strip of carpenter's glue to join the pieces together, then use the pneumatic nailer to secure them.

5. Continue this process to complete the column. Sand the edges.

6. For the front sections, use the two pieces that have two mitered edges as the outside and one piece as the middle. (These do not have the blocks inside to support them.) Use carpenter's glue to hold the two pieces together. Nail the joined pieces in place, and continue to opposite edge.

7. Cut down the smaller piece of poplar. The wall will fit in the middle of the opening and be the return for the mitered edge.

8. Install the front finished columns in the room.

9. For the back sections, we glued the backs of the 4' blocks and then put nails in them. Install the back finished columns and put a couple of nails in to hold the column into place along the wall. Measure the completed column to cut the reversible flute on bottom and the MDF base on the top.

10. Measure five equidistant lines down the length of the column to place the colonial panel molding and mark off on column with a pencil. Once you have all your measurements, paint the molding for columns.

11. Cut the molding using the table saw at 45-degree angle to make the mitered cuts. Apply a stream of carpenter's glue on the back of each piece of molding, and attach it to the column at the pre-measured pencil marks. Nail the molding into place.

12. Paint the completed column.