Replacing An Acorn Roof Finial

By Robert Robillard on Finish Carpentry

I’m using my new FEIN MultiMaster 250 Q to make the tricky hip roof cut out of the bottom of the finial base. This new tool made quick work of and easily cut back the material at the angle I needed.

The cut is angles on three sides.

Just about finished. These angles mirror the slope of the homes roofs.

Mirror image!

We plan on using a polyurethane glue to attach the finial into the base but it never hurts to a
mechanical fastener. I will probably add two 4″ screws through the base and into the finial ‘s dowel.

The plug below will hide the screw head, be cut flushed, sanded and disappear after painting.

Photo showing location of both screw holes. I will sand and prime all edged before gluing and screwing the finial in place.

This is the “tail” that follows the finial and rides along the roof’s ridge line. We made it out of two pieces in order to be able to match the old dimensions.

Poly glue and screws make the attachment.

The overlapping boards are glued and screwed to the bottom of the tail.

These two boards overlap and cover the seams and fasteners of the decorative scroll work that is installed on the roofs surface below. [See top photo for an idea on this]

Both old wood and new Spanish Cedar tail side by side.



The “upside down V” of these two boards looks like they meet at 90 degrees but don’t. Their edges were beveled to allow them to match the roof pitch and mate the underside of the tail detail.

Ready for sanding and paint.

The old finial and base were separated with a copper cap to protect the base’s end grain from moisture damage.

A new cap was fashioned out of copper sheet stock.

Finished…. and ready for paint.

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About the author

Robert Robillard

Carpenter / Remodeler / Editor

Rob Robillard is “The Concord Carpenter” Rob is a builder, general contractor, carpenter, woodworker, and editor of Concord Carpenter and ToolBoxBuzz As a General Contractor and carpenter, Rob owns and operates Concord Carpenter LLC. A full-service remodeling and construction company. Rob is a recognized leader in home building best practices and a source for how-to information for building professionals. On this website, Rob covers all aspects of home construction, building science, home improvement, woodworking, remodeling, and some of the best product and tool reviews. Rob is in charge of our Tool and Product Review series - Concord Carpenter Videos where we post all of our tool reviews and video tutorials. Rob approaches remodeling and building construction with a pragmatic and problem-solving approach. He enjoys using his knowledge and experience to help and educate building professionals as well as DIYers on best practices in the construction and remodeling industry. He's a strong advocate for "raising the bar" in the construction trades and promoting the trades to youth. #BeAMentor #Green2Great Craftsmanship, quality, and pride guide his journey on this channel The Concord Carpenter's motto: "Well done is better than well said!" : Read more about Rob

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