How to make outside radius?

[David Fuglsang]

Hello,

From a woodworking perspective, how would you guys make a leg something like this?
Any tips or good ideas?

397596

[Pat Barry]

Rough shape with saw. Use spokeshave, sandpaper to finish

[Jamie Buxton]

I'd start with a blank of solid lumber. In your pic, it looks to be about 3x3x12. I'd cut the mortise and tenon joints to connect the leg to the rails before cutting the curves. On the table saw, I'd knock off the corner that is going to become your outside curve. On the bandsaw, I'd roughly cut the two inside curves. On the bandsaw, I'd rough cut the curves on the rails. Then I'd glue the leg to the rails. After that, I'd fair the inside curves with power sanders. I'd cut the outside curve with a hand plane. You can actually do this quite quickly and accurately with the hand plane. Right near the final shape, I'd use a power sander to smooth out the facets made by the plane.

[Derek Cohen]

Hello,

From a woodworking perspective, how would you guys make a leg something like this?
Any tips or good ideas?

397596

Start with square joinery. Rasp and spokeshave to shape, finish with a scraper.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[John Gulick]

Rough shape with saw. Use spokeshave, sandpaper to finish

+1, I would follow suit with Pat. Craftwork is key

[glenn bradley]

+1 with the above recommendations. You're turning this . . .

397620

Into something like this.

397619

[Stan Calow]

If you're talking about the radiused-leg to apron transition, there is a similar piece in the December Popular Woodworking.

[johnny means]

However you approach it, be sure your joinery won't be exposed by the final shaping.

[Frederick Skelly]

Knock out what I can with a saw. Then spokeshave or rasp, followed by sanding.

Assembly before shaping, like Glenn showed, is an idea I haven't tried. But it is intriguing - thanks for that idea Glenn!

[Derek Cohen]

.. Assembly before shaping, like Glenn showed, is an idea I haven't tried. But it is intriguing - thanks for that idea Glenn!

Fred ... naturally :)


Start with square joinery. Rasp and spokeshave to shape, finish with a scraper.

http://www.inthewoodshop.com/Furniture/TheChairShapingArmsBackPart2_html_m790d2519.jpg



http://www.inthewoodshop.com/Furniture/TheChairShapingArmsBackPart2_html_m7718c6bf.jpg

http://www.inthewoodshop.com/Furniture/TheChairShapingArmsBackPart2_html_20272de6.jpg

http://www.inthewoodshop.com/Furniture/TheChairShapingArmsBackPart2_html_m4dd8c34.jpg

http://www.inthewoodshop.com/Furniture/TheChairShapingArmsBackPart2_html_m308d7136.jpg

http://www.inthewoodshop.com/Furniture/TheChairShapingArmsBackPart2_html_30c9a217.jpg

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Frederick Skelly]

Thanks for that tutorial Derek! Clearly, I should spend more time reading your blog Sir!
Much appreciated,
Fred

[Kevin Beitz]

I cheat... I start off with the tool in the first picture and finish it
off with the tool in the second and third picture...