Turn to your lathe for quick cove cleanup

After using my tablesaw to make cove molding for a grandmother clock, the curved surface needed serious sanding. After a few minutes of sanding by hand—using a dowel wrapped in sandpaper, I figured there had to be a better way; so I turned to the lathe. After turning down a piece of stock to match the cove, I wrapped it with 3"-wide abrasive cloth (available in rolls at many home centers), and fastened it with carpet tacks on both ends. With the lathe at its slowest speed setting, I effortlessly sanded the cove smooth.
—Ron Stump, Goshen, Ind.