Arched doors

[Greg Heppeard]

Has anyone done a raised panel cabinet door around an arc? I'm trying to figure this one out. I'm not sure if I could build the door then put it in a steamer, or would I have to cut the parts and put them in the steamer, or would I make the door parts with several angles and make the cabinet angled also? I might have to do this pretty soon.

[lou sansone]

I believe that you are asking about curved doors. Is that correct. When I think of "arched" doors I think of a flat panel with a raised arch. I have built several arched doors, but never had the reason to try an curved door. Best wishes on that endevor.
lou

[Jamie Buxton]

Let's be clear. Generally when people say "arched doors" they're talking about an arch at the top of the panel. However, the text of your post makes me think you're talking about curved raised-panel doors. If so, I've done it. It takes maybe 20 times more effort than a flat door. I start by making the rails. If they're not curved too much, you can bandsaw them from solid stock. Alternatively, you can make router jigs to cut the front face and the back face. (They're not the same radius.) If the doors have a big curve in them, you may have to do a bent lamination for the rails. In either case, I use loose tenons to join the rails to the stiles; it is easier to ensure that the rails are all the same length, and have the shoulders all in the same plane. I use a jig to hold the curved rails while I'm making the mortise in the end. This helps ensure that the mortise walls are exactly at right angle to the plane of the shoulders. For the curved panel, I start by coopering the stock. To do the raising, I use a shaper, with the cutter below the panel. The panel rests in a curved jig which prevents it from rocking as it slides through the cutter.

A flat (that is, non-raised) curved panel is somewhat easier. You can make the panel with bending plywood bent over a bending form. I prefer to do any veneering on the plywood before I bend it; you're less likely to sand or scrape through the veneer while the plywood is flat.

[Doug Shepard]

I'm also thinking you're talking about curved doors instead of arched. I've never done them but I think this book might have some good info for you.
http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?DeptID=1059&FamilyID=3417
I borrowed this from a neighbor once. It's loaded with all sorts of techniques from about a hundred years ago for doing curved work.

[Greg Heppeard]

I am looking for curved doors. :o Thanks for all the info, it looks like it might be easier to get the Mighty Kreskin to bend the doors than it is to make them. :eek: Oh well, I always did like a challenge. :confused:

[frank shic]

greg, are you SERIOUS?!? if you want a challenge... here you go! good luck!


http://www.woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Radius_Cabinet_Job__Project_Review.html

[Mark Singer]

I did a tutorial on Coppered doors a while ago ...here you go


http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=14202&highlight=coopered+doors


http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=14547&highlight=bath+cabinet

[Greg Heppeard]

greg, are you SERIOUS?!? if you want a challenge... here you go! good luck!


http://www.woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Radius_Cabinet_Job__Project_Review.html

Exactly What I was looking for, but in reverse. THANKS!!

[Greg Heppeard]

I did a tutorial on Coppered doors a while ago ...here you go


Mark,

I remember this and it's great, I have to do raised panel construction tho. :eek: