How to replicate this look

[Reokeane]

I was really taken with this pic in a recent issue of Dwell magazine and am interested in one day trying to replicate the scalloped front of the kitchen island in the attached photo using black walnut. Any suggestions/ideas of how to go about using festool router/mfs and maybe Incra positioner or some combination of?

 

[sigmatango]

http://www.finewoodworking.com/2013/08/01/how-to-cut-coves-on-the-tablesaw
I've used this method in the past. Fast, and if done correctly, safe as well...

 

[Xoncention]

I was really taken with this pic in a recent issue of Dwell magazine and am interested in one day trying to replicate the scalloped front of the kitchen island in the attached photo using black walnut. Any suggestions/ideas of how to go about using festool router/mfs and maybe Incra positioner or some combination of?

There are several methods available to achieve the same look.  Either your table saw if you have one, or a router and jig.
Use a bit like thishttp://www.toolstoday.com/p-4961-classical-plunge-router-bits-w-upper-ball-bearing-style-a.aspx
Make yourself a channel template to hold your router base.  Cut your stock all the same length.  Make a stop and start on your template.  Insert your stock into your template from behind and clamp the start and finish ends of your template down on the bench - this captures your stock in your template.  You want to leave about 20mm at each end of your routing.  You can make individual passes progressively deeper till your reach your profile depth.  Remember, speed burns.  Lots of shallow cuts works best. You can then cut shorter and mount all your stock into a shallow dado at each end of your routed stock.  You can square off each end of the routed channel, but the simplest method would be to make a mirror of your upright routed profile and glue this in to give you the square end look.  Cut yourself enough circles with the same diameter as your routed profile, carefully cut them in half and join them and hiding them inside your top and bottom rails.  Depending on the moisture content of your stock, you can either make a complete solid panel, or allow them to float in the dado and keep the ends open to permit the routed sections room to expand and contract. 

 

[Reokeane]

Thank you both - great suggestions. Particularly like table saw option - but not thinking its quick At least not with me at the controls

 

[sigmatango]

Thank you both - great suggestions. Particularly like table saw option - but not thinking its quick At least not with me at the controls

First time you do use the tablesaw method, do take your time. I can be setup in about 10-15 minutes now, but i do know the first time I did this setup took me about 3 hours. New techniques can take a bit to get used to. Now, it feels natural to me, but the first few times, I was really very deliberate, and it felt wrong, not unsafe, but definitely abnormal...  [bite tongue] [eek]