Advice for turned dining-chair legs please?

[Benchwayze]

Hi Folks,
I think I mentioned elsewhere in this section of UKW/shop, that I can turn a little, but I am by no means 'a turner' .

I want to make a set of 1930's oak dining chairs, with turned front legs and drop-in seats. (I am sure you all know the design I mean).

The design calls for square sections being left on the legs, for mortices. So, my stumbling block is going to be the transition from square to turned sections. What chisel should be used to get those nice rounded shoulders on the square sections?

I have a horrible feeling it's going to be the skew!
I'm not cutting 'barley-twists' btw!

Cheers.. Hope someone can help.

Regards

John

 

[CHJ]

No need to go anywhere near a Skew if you are not comfortable with it, just use a 3/8 or 1/2" spindle gouge.

To practice, try cutting a groove with a parting tool to somewhere near the diameter you are aiming at, then with the spindle gouge take off the corners from square to groove keeping the gouge bevel in contact with the forming curve so that by the time your gouge is getting near the bottom of the groove your gouge is on its side with the flute vertical.

Much simpler to show than explain I'm afraid, if others have not made a better job of it or pointed you to examples by tomorrow when I'm back home I will try and post pics.

 

[Anonymous]

Just an idea John, you could make a simple finger gauge template to aid a good copy...

At the back of the lathe, mount a strip of wood with 'fingers' (pointed) gaffa taped on with the point to coincide with your key dimensions.... when the desired diameter is reached the finger drops... sorry don't have a pic

 

[Benchwayze]

Thanks Graham,
I know what you mean. I saw Geoff Stokes using one in 'The Woodworker' years ago. (He made bird-tables too I think!) Or was it Frank Pain? Prolly not. I don't think Frank made bird-tables!)


I am going to be awkward tho'. Every leg will have a different profile! \/

Just joking of course!

Thanks for the reminder on the fingter template..

Regards
John

 

[Benchwayze]

No need to go anywhere near a Skew if you are not comfortable with it, just use a 3/8 or 1/2" spindle gouge.

To practice, try cutting a groove with a parting tool to somewhere near the diameter you are aiming at, then with the spindle gouge take off the corners from square to groove keeping the gouge bevel in contact with the forming curve so that by the time your gouge is getting near the bottom of the groove your gouge is on its side with the flute vertical.

Much simpler to show than explain I'm afraid, if others have not made a better job of it or pointed you to examples by tomorrow when I'm back home I will try and post pics.

Thanks again CHJ.
I found my 'live' tail-centre today, and surprise.. It hasn't gone rusty! So I shall be making some shaving tomorrow, to get back into the turn of things!
Thanks again, and I look forward to the pics, beacause I am sure they will be useful; especially when I come to turn the shallow 'button' to be worked on the top of the legs.

(I wonder if there is a 'pattern-book' somewhere, with some of these leg patterns displayed?)

Regards
John

 

[Woodmagnet]

Just an idea John, you could make a simple finger gauge template to aid a good copy...

Anyone got a picture of one of these templates? I tried google but came up blank. :?

 

[Benchwayze]

I have been looking for my book on turning, and I know it's in there, but so far, the loft has not given up its secrets Kevin..
As soon as I find whch box I stored it in, I'll do a scan!
John

 

[Anonymous]

Take a pic when you make yours John :wink:

 

[Steve Blackdog]

Hi Folks,


I have a horrible feeling it's going to be the skew!

John

Glad it's not just me with a skew aversion

I've found I can made pretty effective chamfers with the gouge.

Steve

 

[Benchwayze]

Yes Steve,

I am pretty good with a scraper as well come to think of it!!

What do they say about the skew? Let the bevel rub?

I never could understand that and my old Grand-Dad ain't around to show me! Bless his Pipe and his 'Albert'!

Catch you later .
Zzz'sss
Regards John

 

[CHJ]

John have a look at these refs. you'll need to scroll down the pages to see the examples.

The first one shows the progression of cutting a bead but it is the same for cutting a pommel, just have to take a little more care not to split the corners off (see para 13.9 for comments on using spindle gouge).

The second shows a pommel being cut with a spindle gouge by Stuart Batty. (four row down in pictures)