The Tool Barn


Making the Molding

For this project you'll need to replace the blade of your table saw with a triple-head cutter.  There are several interchangeable heads.  The triple bead cutter allows a one-pass operation.  With the blade installed and the rip fence set, the board passes over the cutter, face down.  Don't forget the pusher, blade guard and eye protection!

To set the rip fence, first set the distance from the middle of the blade to half the width of the stock.  Then, using a scrap piece of stock you can flip the board and split the difference to set an exact center location.

The cutter depth should more than recess the triple bead cut.  Allow almost 1/8" of recess from the bead rounds to the board face.  This will allow for sanding the board without damage to the bead cut.

It is best to cut the molding on the entire length of the stock.  Occasionally the ends may not be square, so use a cut-off miter saw to trim the beginning edge first.  After measuring twice, cut the stock to length.

Replacing the table saw blade (guard not shown)

Replacing the table saw blade (guard not shown)

Triple head cutter

Triple head cutter

Cut to length using power miter saw

Cut to length using power miter saw


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