Dave Sharpe
10-10-2008, 10:21 PM
Hey guys, I'm building a new kitchen and have already completed carcasses for both the upper and lower cabinets. I'm using birch plywood for the carcasses, and solid maple for face frames and doors. I'm getting closer to the process of building the doors and would like to make arched tops for them. A couple of questions still that I'm hoping y'all can answer for me:
1: Is it worth it to buy ready - made templates for this type of door? I bought a set of cathedral templates several years ago and haven't used them(the folly of going to a woodworking show with a loaded wallet), but I really prefer the simpler arched look.
2: I've seen two types of template sets - the less expensive version is simply matched arches cut in plastic that can be affixed to the blank with double-sided tape (Rockler), and the more expensive version that comes with a holder that indexes the blank and the template to each other and clamps them in place to allow machining (Woodcraft). Any experiences/preferences?
3: I'm planning on only arching the upper cabinet doors - most of the lower cabinets are drawer banks but a few have doors - should I arch those too? I'm thinking that may look a little odd, so I'm planning to do those as simple rectangular doors.
I have a pretty well set-up shop for a hobbyist. I do have a router table and the raised panel sets I need.
Thanks for your advice!
Dave
1: Is it worth it to buy ready - made templates for this type of door? I bought a set of cathedral templates several years ago and haven't used them(the folly of going to a woodworking show with a loaded wallet), but I really prefer the simpler arched look.
2: I've seen two types of template sets - the less expensive version is simply matched arches cut in plastic that can be affixed to the blank with double-sided tape (Rockler), and the more expensive version that comes with a holder that indexes the blank and the template to each other and clamps them in place to allow machining (Woodcraft). Any experiences/preferences?
3: I'm planning on only arching the upper cabinet doors - most of the lower cabinets are drawer banks but a few have doors - should I arch those too? I'm thinking that may look a little odd, so I'm planning to do those as simple rectangular doors.
I have a pretty well set-up shop for a hobbyist. I do have a router table and the raised panel sets I need.
Thanks for your advice!
Dave