Cove

[Jon]

I am covering cracks between ceiling and walls with coving. Inevitably, very few of the corners are at right angles which makes a conventional mitre box unsuitable. My radial arm saw cuts the ends well - as long as they are 45 degrees. How does one calculate the correct angle to set on the saw for other corners?

[James]

Hello Jon,

You need something like 'a sliding bevel' - I'm sure you can get them with a scale so you can just read the angle off then set your saw to suit.

I'd suggest going to a local hardware or DIY store so that you can 'see before you buy', I'm sure you'll find something to make life easier.

[Jon]

Thanks for your reply. I have mitre gauges, albeit without a scale on them. Presumably one would set the gauge in the corner, measures the angle and hence the difference from 90 degrees, divide that by two and apply the resultant figure positively and negatively to the appropriate corners.
I was hoping there might be a simpler way!!

[James]

I can't think of an easier way - one way or another, I think you're going to have to measure the angle somehow. If you have plenty of waste off-cuts, you could do it by a bit of trial and error (ie "this corner is slightly less that 90 degrees, so adjust the saw 'a bit'").

If you can measure the angle, yes, do as you suggest or just divide the angle by two, and set your radial saw accordingly (I take it your saw has markings to set the angle).

[Jon]

Thanks again, James. Trial and error it will have to be; the radial arm saw has angle scales on it so shouldn't be too much difficulty.