I frequently need to mill a subtle curved arch on the underside of lower rails for dressers, nightstands, and sideboards. If I have only a few pieces to cut, it’s not really worth the time to make a reusable router template with toggle clamps. Instead, I bandsaw and sand one workpiece to final shape, and then use it as the template for routing the others.

First I trace the finished curve onto the other parts and bandsaw their curves close to the line. Then I screw the rough workpieces to the finished one for routing. I locate the screws in the tenons, where the holes will be hidden later. To rout the curves, I use a bearingguided straight bit. Be careful when engaging the bearing at the beginning of the cut.

Willie Sandry, Camas, WA

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