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You can make custom cove molding on a table saw by guiding the blank diagonally across the blade in a series of shallow cuts. Adjusting the feed angle, blade height and blade tilt changes the curve. If you have a router table and a suitable core box bit, you can also rout the cove in several shallow passes.
Choose the method for the profile and tools you have
A table saw offers flexibility for shaping a custom curve: the feed angle and blade tilt affect the profile. A router table makes sense when the available core box bit suits the cove you want. Either method depends on being able to guide and support the stock securely.
| Method | How the cove is formed | Useful when |
|---|---|---|
| Table saw | Repeated shallow cuts with the blank fed diagonally between guide fences. | You want to vary the cove profile using feed angle and, if appropriate, blade tilt. |
| Router table | Several shallow passes over a core box bit, raising the bit slightly between passes. | The bit’s profile suits the cove you need and you can guide the molding stock securely. |
The sources do not provide controlled comparisons of speed, finish quality or risk, so neither approach is a universal winner. Consider the molding’s required width and depth, the stock dimensions, your available tools and how well you can support and guide the workpiece. For straight-grained stock, see Woodcraft’s table-saw coving guide.
Make a cove on a table saw
The table-saw method uses two diagonal scrapwood fences to capture and guide the blank across the blade. Set up a stable guide arrangement and use push blocks to feed the stock. A zero-clearance insert can reduce the chance of waste catching between the throat plate and blade.
#1 Best Overall
- Specs: Bearing Dia. 1/2", Number of Cutters 2, Overall Dia. 2", Overall Length 2-5/8", Shank Dia. 1/2", Carbide Height 7/8", Radius 3/4"
- Classic shape for edges on furniture and millwork
- Shear angle to produce clean cuts without tearout
- Cuts all composition materials, plywoods, hardwoods, and softwoods
- Use on hand-held and table-mounted portable routers
The setup and cutting directions below follow WOOD magazine’s cove-molding guide. They are not a substitute for your saw manufacturer’s instructions: follow the operating and safety guidance for your specific machine and setup.
- Set the fences and blank. Arrange the diagonal scrapwood fences to capture the blank and guide it across the blade. Make sure the workpiece remains supported and cannot shift during the feed.
- Set the initial blade height. Start with the blade 1/16 inch above the table, as in the WOOD guide.
- Make the first cut. Feed the blank slowly between the fences using push blocks.
- Deepen the cove in stages. Raise the blade by 1/16 inch and repeat the pass. Continue raising it in 1/16-inch increments until the cove reaches the intended depth.
- Make a light finishing pass. The guide suggests a final pass of 1/32 inch or less to reduce sanding.
Control the width, depth and curve
Three settings influence the table-saw profile: the angle at which you feed the stock across the blade, blade height and blade tilt. Change the setup on sample pieces before cutting the finished molding if you need to dial in a particular shape.
Rank #2
- Specs: Bearing Dia. 1/2", Number of Cutters 2, Overall Dia. 1-1/2", Overall Length 2-1/2", Shank Dia. 1/2", Carbide Height 5/8", Radius 1/2"
- Classic shape for edges on furniture and millwork
- Shear angle to produce clean cuts without tearout
- Cuts all composition materials, plywoods, hardwoods, and softwoods
- Use on hand-held and table-mounted portable routers
- Feed angle controls the curve’s spread. A shallow angle makes a compact, elliptical cove; a higher angle produces a broader, near-semicircular curve.
- Blade height controls depth. Raising the blade increases how deeply it cuts into the stock.
- Blade tilt makes the cove asymmetrical. With the blade at 90 degrees, the cove is symmetrical. Tilting the blade makes the profile lean to one side. The WOOD guide says to feed from the direction of the tilt.
For repeatability, record the feed and tilt settings beside sample pieces that show the resulting profiles. The WOOD guide does not identify a universally best wood species; select stock to suit the project’s appearance and finishing needs.
Use a router table for a bit-shaped cove
Woodsmith’s custom-moldings guide describes routing a cove with a core box bit. The bit’s profile determines the shape available from this approach.
Rank #3
- This bit has a 5/8" radius with a cutting depth of 5/8" and a cutting height of 7/8" and a 1/2" shank.
- Add a cove edge to a variety of surface edges and projects or create small moldings to be used on its own or as part of a molding build-up
- Premium C3 micro-grain tungsten carbide blades for a sharper & longer lasting edge
- For use on table mount and handheld router
- Silver induction brazing for maximum strength and durability
- Set up the stock so it can be guided and supported securely at the router table.
- Make a shallow pass over the core box bit.
- Raise the bit slightly and make another pass; repeat in shallow increments until you reach the desired depth.
- Rip the molding to its final width, then sand it smooth.
Sand and finish the molding
After the table-saw cuts, use the new molding as a template to shape a foam sanding block that matches the cove. WOOD’s guide sands from 100 grit through 220 grit. A shaped block helps keep the abrasive in contact with the curved surface as you smooth it.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- This bowl and horizontal crown bit features a radius and cutting diameter of 3" with a total cutting depth of 11/16". The shank is 1/2" in diameter.
- Add a large concave or cove groove to your crown moldings
- Premium C3 micro-grain tungsten carbide blades for a sharper & longer lasting edge
- For use on CNC, table mount and handheld routers
- Silver induction brazing for maximum strength and durability
Rank #4
- 🔨6pcs Cove Router Bit Set 1/4" shank,radius 1/8",3/16",5/16",3/8",7/16", and 1/2" cove.Offering 6 sizes depth of mouldings. Application:Decorating furniture and millwork
- 🔨Mill beautiful smooth cove with a small fillet at the top detail. Ideal tools for legant decorative shape for traditional furniture-casework,doors and drawer,posts and columns
- 🔨Very high grade tungsten carbide-YG6X virgin original carbide tipped,with minimal wear and longer life.Silver induction brazing for maximum strength and durability.Heat resistant coating will provide the router bits with superior wear resistance and Rust and corrosion prevention
- 🔨1/4" shank made by solid steel,lower vibration for the bigger cutter and added stability.Bearing guide ensures perfect guidance and smooth running,reduce trimming mishaps,largely reduces chipping.
- 🔨Use in hand-held or table-mounted routers to mill hardwood, softwood, plywood or composites.MAX RPM 21 000
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