You can't cut perfect miters with a dull blade, one with too few teeth or one that's designed for ripping. Check your blade for sharpness by cutting a 45-degree miter on a 1x3 or larger piece of oak ...

Dear James: I like the look of crown molding for my dining room, but I am having trouble getting the corner cut for a good fit. If you already installed the door and baseboard moldings, you probably ...