Hi, it seems to me that you would want to mill the coves before the beads so that you would have more of a flat surface for the strip to ride on as you milled the bead, does it make a difference which one goes first? RMD
: This sounds like it requires you to align the router twice. Once to make the
: test piece and then again after you have got it right.

: I would mill all the beads. Run a few short strips through to check your
: alignment. You will able to tell by inspection if it is centered. Then
: mill the cove. Run your short strips through first to test the alignment.

: The most useful thing you can do to get consistent milling is to make your
: strips uniform thickness. You can do this with your router and a straight
: bit to make a thickness planer.