Tablesawn cove

Telemike | Posted in General Discussion on March 27, 2003 06:07am

The most recent American Woodworker has a picture of a cove cutting setup on the table saw (AM Woodworker, #100, May 2003, Page 67, figure 4). I’ve only done this raising panels – that is, cutting a half cove.

The picture shows the fence on the emergence side of the blade so that the blade is pushing the wood away from the fence rather than into the fence. This seems like it would toss the wood quickly away from the fence and eat the surface (not to mention adding velocity to the wood).

Which side of the blade should the fence be on? The upwards side of the rotation (back side of the blade) or the downwards side (front of the blade.) I’m sure that folks here have cut coves on the tablesaw.

Replies

SCFrankland | Mar 27, 2003 06:33am | #1
The leading edge of the blade would be the safest to use. Although I prefer to use a router or shaper to make raised panels.

Scott C. Frankland

Was the Newfoundland Wood Worker now the Nova Scotia Wood Worker.
patternmaker | Mar 27, 2003 06:33am | #2
Put the fence on the down side of the blade.The force of the cut pushes the work against the fence.I also use feather boards to keep the work tight against the fence and table. Take light cuts and use a feeder block to push the detail thru the setup.

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Clay | Mar 27, 2003 11:35am | #3
I like to have two fences, one on each side of the blade. It is best to take quite small bites by raising the blade slightly on each pass. Alternatively use a single fence on the front side of the blade and clamp a pair of featherboards on the opposite side.
Lilshaver | Mar 28, 2003 05:14am | #4
Here's a coincidence....I was just researching and performing this operation today. It is not something that I've done often, so I must think about it beforehand. FWW had an excellent article in issue #102. It talks about both symmetrical and asymmetrical coves. Quite well worth reading if you have a copy.

To answer your question directly.....the fence should be on the downstream side of the blade. Then the force of the blade pushes the stock against the fence. Use two fences for additional safety and always when doing an asymmetrical cove.