Q:
I am making a Federal-style table with stringing on the legs. What size should the stringing be, and how deep should I make the groove?
Rose Maxwell, Bloomington, IN
A:
Narrow stringing looks best, so it is typically made from commercial veneer: Strips are cut, turned on edge, and glued into the groove, which is only about 1/40 in. wide. To increase the glue surface, make the groove about 1/16 in. deep.
Cut a strip of veneer 3/32 in. wide, turn it 90°, and glue it into the groove. If you cut the stringing any wider, you’ll have trouble pressing it into the groove. If it’s any narrower, it might not stick out above the groove after it’s pressed in. After the glue is dry, plane or scrape it flush to the leg.
For more detail, see my article Stringing and Banding Made Easy, in FWW #166.
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