Early in the 19th century all flat boards and moldings used for finished woodwork on houses were planed by hand. You can imagine the toil and sweat involved. The industrial revolution changed woodworking techniques. Toward the middle of the 19th century, woodworking mills began to produce stock moldings. Production millwork was a boon to busy carpenters, who created striking decorative effects in much less time. The millwork added great value to a house at lower cost. That notion of increasing value at low cost is even more important today. Names of Moldings For many years I was confused by the names of moldings. As a finish carpenter I knew what I had to ask for at the lumberyard to get
