Bill Tindall, E.Tn.

Operations where it doesn't matter. I am fitting the glass retainers in the display cabinet. All the fitting is with hand tools. So what. It doesn't contribute anything to desirable appearance. Maybe the arc does. It was cut on a band saw. Would a coping saw have resulted in a more desirable arc?

My conclusion is the look you desire has most to do with design. Where design calls for carving, shaping, turning, these operations must be done by hand tools for most attractive results.

As an aside, the curved retainer is a 3 piece bent lamination. I was relieved that the installation escutcheon pins will pull the gaps largely together when they are set. What's left is good enough.