Wide cove molding at the top of a bookcase is mitered to wrap around the corners seamlessly. Of course, because cove molding is installed at an angle, cutting an accurate miter often requires a tricky compound cut where you both tilt the table saw’s blade and angle the miter gauge.
An easier way to miter the molding is shown here. You simply make a sled for your miter gauge to hold the molding at the same angle it will rest at when mounted on the bookcase. That way, all you have to do is set the miter gauge at 45° in order to cut the miter.
As you can see at left, there isn’t much to building the miter sled. It features a back and a stop that are grooved to accept a hardboard base. The distance between the two parts matches the width of the cove molding at its mounted angle. After cutting the parts to size, make the grooves in the back and stop. Then glue the sled together and screw it to the miter gauge. Now you’re ready to miter your molding safely and accurately.
