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Workshop working with Cove Bits Cove bits are must-haves in any shop. Here's how to choose and use them to get the best results. The details are what really make or break a project — whether it's a carefully routed profile along the edge of a workpiece or simply adding a piece of trim to set off a project. For many of my projects, I handle this by reaching for a cove bit. A cove bit is the "mating" profile to a roundover bit. But instead of rounding over the outside edge of a workpiece, a cove bit "scoops" out material along the edge to create a round recess, like the you see in the drawing above. Types of Cove Bits. The cove bit I use most often for this type of work looks like the one in the left box below. And I'll talk more about it later. But as you shop for a basic cove bit, you're also likely to see two other cove-style bits — a cove and fillet bit (center box below) and a classical cove bit (right box below). These two bits are used to cut more specialized cove profiles with fillets on the top and bottom of the cove. You'll often find these profiles on more traditional-looking furniture and millwork. If you take a close look at each profile, you'll see that each bit is really identical. The only difference is the size of the bearing. So you only need to buy one style of bit or the other. You can simply change the bearing to get the other profile. Note: These special bits only come in two different sizes (3/i6" and 5Ae" radius). Start with Basic Cove Bits. The basic cove bits are the workhorse bits in my shop. But unfortunately, a cove bit isn't one-size-fits-all. Some router bits, like a chamfer bit, will cut a wide range of sizes. But a cove bit will only create a cove of a single, specific radius. If you check out the drawing at the top of the opposite page, you'll Cove Profile Cove & Fillet Classical Cove The standard cove bit you see below makes it easy to rout a smooth, decorative edge on a wide range of furniture projects and trim pieces. Adding a small fillet near one end of the cove bit creates a profile found on more traditional-looking pieces of furniture and millwork. The classical cove bit adds a second fillet to the profile of a cove and fillet bit, allowing additional enhancement of furniture and millwork. 8 ShopNotes No. 83 |
