Chamfered and Rounded Edges

[Steve F]

Hi,

So, two questions in one, but I was wondering what hand tools people are using to do chamfers and rounded edges.

For rounded I have tried a couple of the Lee Valley roundover tools, but don't like them.  I have a curved spokeshave that I have been using, but it's not the best and was hoping there was something better.

For chamfers, I was about to buy a chamfer plane, but didn't know if that was the tool of choice.

Thanks in advance.

Steve

 

[Roseland]

What objection do you have to simply using roundover/chamfer bits (with bearings) in your router? 

Arguably more consistent than you can achieve with hand tools.

Andrew

 

[Guy Ashley]

Steve

Like most people I guess I would use a router with an appropriate bit nowadays.

However if you want to use handtools then check out the Lie Nielsen spokeshaves, they are truly great hand tools.

One other option which is very cost effective is to scour Ebay or junk shops for old wooden moulding planes. These come in a variety of profiles including round overs (sets of hollows and rounds) and chamfers.

Once you have sharpened the blade and set the wedge they cut very well.

 

[Sparktrician]

A well set-up router will always give you more accurate, more consistent results than hand-working to get round-overs and chamfers.  Not to disparage the hand-working in any way, but in a production shop, time is money, and it's always faster to get a consistent result with well-tuned power tools in the hands of skilled craftsmen.  If money is not a concern, then enjoy taking your time with hand tools.  That's sometimes far more satisfying to the soul.  Good luck. 

[smile]

 

[Jesse Cloud]

There are a few rare situations that call for hand tools for rounding and chamfering.  Mainly when the roundover is not meant to be consistent.  For instance, when I make chairs, the legs are thick and sturdy near the seat joinery and much lighter and delicate toward the top and bottom.  I like a modest roundover at the top, gradually progressing to a generous roundover in the middle, then back down again.

But, you know what?  I run the smallest roundover with a router over the whole leg to save time so I only have to use the spokeshave to deepen the roundover in the middle.

 

[Steve F]

Thanks.  I realize that a router would be the tool of choice, but ever since getting my CT22, I hate using any power tool that produces sawdust unless it can be attached to the CT22.  I could get a Festool router, but there are a couple of things on my Festool "want list" ahead of the router.  That's why I posted this under "Hand Tools."

I have used a palm router to finish edges, but the pieces I am working on now are relatively small and the wood is relatively soft, so I thought it might be quicker to do them by hand.

I so have a slew of spokeshaves, including a couple of Lie-Nielsens, but the problem is maintaining a consistent angle without some sort of guide to reference off the edge.  Chamfer planes seem to solve that problem.

Steve

 

[mouppe]

Steve,

How large is the chamfer? I use a block plane for the little chamfered edges on shelves etc. Simple, accurate, easy. I can do ten feet of chamfers before the fastest router user in the world has even dialed in his bit. And if you use a hand plane, the chamfer will leave a sharp faceted edge that will reflect the light and this is one of the tell-tale signs of fine furniture. If you use a router or a sander, you won't get this benefit.

For larger chamfers, I would rather take off the bulk of the material using a router and then finish the job with a hand plane.

Richard.

 

[MTRANGER]

Thanks.  I realize that a router would be the tool of choice, but ever since getting my CT22, I hate using any power tool that produces sawdust unless it can be attached to the CT22.  I could get a Festool router, but there are a couple of things on my Festool "want list" ahead of the router.  That's why I posted this under "Hand Tools."

I have used a palm router to finish edges, but the pieces I am working on now are relatively small and the wood is relatively soft, so I thought it might be quicker to do them by hand.

I so have a slew of spokeshaves, including a couple of Lie-Nielsens, but the problem is maintaining a consistent angle without some sort of guide to reference off the edge.  Chamfer planes seem to solve that problem.

Steve

I use these on  my non festool routers, it works resonably well probabaly pick up 70-80%

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=19743&filter=whirlwind

 

[Steve F]

Steve,

How large is the chamfer? I use a block plane for the little chamfered edges on shelves etc. Simple, accurate, easy. I can do ten feet of chamfers before the fastest router user in the world has even dialed in his bit. And if you use a hand plane, the chamfer will leave a sharp faceted edge that will reflect the light and this is one of the tell-tale signs of fine furniture. If you use a router or a sander, you won't get this benefit.

For larger chamfers, I would rather take off the bulk of the material using a router and then finish the job with a hand plane.

Richard.

Thanks.  It's not fine furniture - I am making some Adirondack chairs from 3/4 material and just wanted to put a slight chamfer or rounded edge on the pieces.  I have tried a block plane and can't keep the angle consistent enough to keep a straight line.  The LV block plane with the chamfer attachment would be perfect, but it's expensive just for chamfers.  My block plane is a Lie-Nielsen, but they don't have a chamfer attachment and I don;t think the LV one will fit the L-N plane.

Steve

 

[peter halle]

Steve,

I have used these tools to put a round over on work when I don't need it to be perfect or when perfect would not fit.  You can get them at most Woodcraft stores or at Veritas.  I would carry them in my tool pouches.

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Peter

 

[Jay Knoll]

Steve

I've had good luck with this

And the price is right!

http://www.amazon.com/Woodstock-W1100-Slickplane/dp/B0000DD0TK

Jay

 

[Tim Morris]

I've used the slick planes Jay references as well. Keep em sharp and take light passes they work great for little jobs.

 

[Steve F]

Steve

I've had good luck with this

And the price is right!

http://www.amazon.com/Woodstock-W1100-Slickplane/dp/B0000DD0TK

Jay

Thanks,  I've never seen that.  I have the Veritas cornering tool and prefer to my Veritas concave spokeshave to that.  The Woodstock slickplane looks promising - and the price is right.

Steve

 

[Kevin Stricker]

Chamfers are easy with a block plane, just use your thumb on the sole to keep a consistent angle.  Roundovers are best done with a router IMO, and don't worry about dust.  With a sharp bit in soft woods you are going to be making shavings.  Yes it makes a mess, but so will the hand tool.