Carpentry and Woodworking - The Perfect Curve
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jlewella
04-23-02, 09:49 AM
Making a bench and want to have the legs taper in slightly at the center like so ) (. Any tips on how to make sure the curve is even? I remember reading about a trick with a string somewhere but I can't remember the exact execution.
jlewella
04-23-02, 02:31 PM
Found this answer on Wood Online:
Posted By: Kevin R
#S1087242
I've always liked the arched rails you often see on Mission-style pieces, and here's a fast and easy way to create them. You'll need three clamps (spring clamps are the easiest) and a thin, straight dowel or metal rod.
1. First, mark the center of your workpiece with a straight line.
2. Next, decide how high you want the center of your arch to be and mark that point on the centerline.
3. Now, place one clamp at the centerline, just below your height mark. Place the other clamps at either end of the workpiece, just above the bottom point of your arch. Finally, bend your dowel over the center clamp and rest the ends under the end clamps. This creates the arch and the clamps act as dogs to hold the tension of the dowel in place. Make any fine adjustments necessary and trace around the arch with a pencil.
4. Cut out the arch using a bandsaw, jigsaw or scroll saw, then sand.
Another user suggested using a 3/8" think piece ripped from a 1 X for a cleaner mark.
Posted By: Kevin R
#S1087242
I've always liked the arched rails you often see on Mission-style pieces, and here's a fast and easy way to create them. You'll need three clamps (spring clamps are the easiest) and a thin, straight dowel or metal rod.
1. First, mark the center of your workpiece with a straight line.
2. Next, decide how high you want the center of your arch to be and mark that point on the centerline.
3. Now, place one clamp at the centerline, just below your height mark. Place the other clamps at either end of the workpiece, just above the bottom point of your arch. Finally, bend your dowel over the center clamp and rest the ends under the end clamps. This creates the arch and the clamps act as dogs to hold the tension of the dowel in place. Make any fine adjustments necessary and trace around the arch with a pencil.
4. Cut out the arch using a bandsaw, jigsaw or scroll saw, then sand.
Another user suggested using a 3/8" think piece ripped from a 1 X for a cleaner mark.
Trent Bridley
04-23-02, 07:07 PM
Hi,
You can take for example a wooden yard stick. Make a cut about 1/4" to 1/2" into the ends. Take a piece of nylon string and tie a knot in its end and pull it into one of the slots in the yard stick. Put the string through the other slot and slowly bend and pull the string until you get the curve you're looking for and then tie it off. Use nylon cord or string, as cotton will stretch.
You can take for example a wooden yard stick. Make a cut about 1/4" to 1/2" into the ends. Take a piece of nylon string and tie a knot in its end and pull it into one of the slots in the yard stick. Put the string through the other slot and slowly bend and pull the string until you get the curve you're looking for and then tie it off. Use nylon cord or string, as cotton will stretch.
Trent Bridley
04-23-02, 07:45 PM
Hi again,
If I were going to do this chair or chairs, I would get the design on a piece of thin cardboard or chipboard, not corragated.
After getting it "right" I would cut it out and use it as a template.
If you are going to use a saw and sander this is fine, but if you have access to a router I would make the template out of tempered hardboard. You then trace your cardboard outline on the wood and cut to the outside of the lines. Double faced tape will adhere the hardboard template to your part, aligned with the
outline. Use a pattern or flush trim bit in a router along the template for a guide. Follow with a round over bit to the edges and you will eliminate most sanding.
hope this might help you out,
Trent
If I were going to do this chair or chairs, I would get the design on a piece of thin cardboard or chipboard, not corragated.
After getting it "right" I would cut it out and use it as a template.
If you are going to use a saw and sander this is fine, but if you have access to a router I would make the template out of tempered hardboard. You then trace your cardboard outline on the wood and cut to the outside of the lines. Double faced tape will adhere the hardboard template to your part, aligned with the
outline. Use a pattern or flush trim bit in a router along the template for a guide. Follow with a round over bit to the edges and you will eliminate most sanding.
hope this might help you out,
Trent
rs_petty
04-26-02, 07:46 AM
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.asp?SID=&ccurrency=2&page=44631&category=1,42936