I do not own a table saw nor jointer. I own a band saw, a drum sander and some fine hand planes. If I want to make some large table legs from 4 boards with a 45 degree joint at the corners, can you suggest a technique that might work given my tools.
Gary
Replies
Gary,
First I have a question for you. Why make such a leg when the stresses of expansion and contraction will pull this leg apart? It's a given. You don't build a box this way. It will go diamond shaped. So why build a leg this way? If it's for the grain, I understand but my response is still why not let the wood be wood?
If you wanted to make such a leg, then I'd rip the edges on the band saw with the table tilted. Then I'd make a jig for my fine hand planes and clean up the unfortunate edges. Gary
I'm just trying to make a large leg which isn't a huge solid.I can't count the number of homes I've been in and finish carpenters cased columns and stair posts with this method. It's what they do; put up a 2&better post and case it with cherry.
Hey Gary,
Yeah I suppose it's good 50 year construction. It's not something I'd do on a table leg. Again I think given your machines, the only thing you can do is rip the edges at 45 degrees on your band saw. Then set up some kind of shooting board for your hand planes that locks in a 45 degree angle. Personally I'd buy a router to do this job but that's just me. Good luck. Gary
Gary, So, for a very large leg, would you use a solid? Niece is wanting something like a 4" square leg.
How would I do this with a router? Thanks for the help.Gary
What's she going to do to move it? Rent a crane? Just kidding, but man that's huge both visually and actually. If you were going to rout the edges, I'd rip them first on the band saws. Then with a 45 degree chamfer bit, plane those edges true. Good luck. Gary
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