: Guys,

: I have been milling some strips and wanted some advice from the group.

: 1. I wanted to make two 1/8 th inch contrast strips along the sheer line with
: some light maple. I was able to make a small maple strip with a bead on it
: but when I tried to cut a cove I got a very splintered edge. Do most of
: you actually mill out an extra small bead and cove strip or just glue a
: thin strip to an existing strip(s) to get a contrasting pin stripe. My
: plan now is to glue a flat edge and then mill only a bead on it. I can’t
: tell if the splintering was because of the maple or if the extra thin
: strip makes it difficult to mill. I am using top and side feather boards
: in front of and after the router bit.

: 2. Any advice on cutting clean coves. I seem to get tear out more on the cove
: than on the beads. I have heard someone say they feed their strips in the
: opposite direction (i.e. the bit pulls the strip through) in order to
: minimize tear out. Sounds risky to me (strips flying through the air)
: Anyone tried this.

: Regards,

: Jack

Hi Jack,
(1) Flat faced strips for pin stripes (no C&B) work best.

(2) The method you described is what I do to mill C & B strips. It does help prevent tearout.

Regards,
Larry C.