Cove Cuts on a Radial Arm Saw

Step 2 The basic cove cut

A cove cut is made by a series of light cuts until the desired profile is achieved.  On a radial arm saw, lower the arm about 1/16 to 1/8 inch for each pass.  A lighter cut fed very slowly through the saw will give a smoother cut.  This is especially important at the end of the process.  Still, the saw tears at the grain and leaves fine saw marks.  Quite a bit of hand sanding is needed to make a nicely finished piece.