How is it done?

[albor13]

I saw this table in a window, and I got to thinking, how did they make those curved end segments? Outer section on a lathe, but what about the inner radius?434229

[China]

I assume you are talking about the entertainment unit, both inner and outer would have been shaped on a spindle moulder.

[albor13]

Thanks!

[ian]

hard to tell, but the "shiny" surface suggests to me veneer or possibly laminate on an MDF core

[elanjacobs]

+1 for moulder, but I think a 4-sider is more likely; much safer for large profiles like that and the whole thing is done in one pass

I'd be interested to see how long it takes for it to turn to s*** with the grain running in opposite directions on the flat surfaces and the corners...

[auscab]

They do Bed sides the same way.

https://naturessecret.com.au/gordon-bedside.html

I think if the section we are discussing is made up with the internal and external radius finished . Its going to be a pain of a thing to glue the thing up . Looking at their website you can see its solid .

I think machining the internal radius in the corner of a square section of timber first. Then Joining and glueing the cabinet up, and then machining the outside radius would be a possibility. A pass on each side to do it in two passes each corner then get onto it with a random orbital sander.

Doing it this way would be the way to do a one off, by hand even .

Rob

[elanjacobs]

That bedside pretty much confirms to me that they run it on a 4-side moulder.

Looking at the endgrain direction, if the moulding is laid flat as it would be on a 4-sider (large curved face up), then the rings are consistent with quarter-sawn timber, which is how nearly all commercial Vic Ash is sold.

Clamping could be done either with a jig/profiled blocks or by using pin-and-cam fittings. I've used them several times for gluing up awkward shapes and they work really well.

[auscab]

Their using enough of the stuff , its on a bed as well . A 4 sider would be the quickest and just get a lot done in one go . Wonder how thick the piece has to be to get that out of it . If 50mm would do it ?

Pin and cam fittings? Never used them . Are they strong ?

[elanjacobs]

I'm guessing they work to 50mm and just adjust the radii to fit.

Pin and cam are the knock-down fittings you see in IKEA furniture; they can be quite strong when used appropriately, they certainly provide enough clamping force for cabinetry

[ian]

+1 for moulder, but I think a 4-sider is more likely; much safer for large profiles like that and the whole thing is done in one pass

I'd be interested to see how long it takes for it to turn to s*** with the grain running in opposite directions on the flat surfaces and the corners...
if they're using pin and cam fittings (or similar) would they even need to glue the corners? Gluing end grain to long grain is usually to be avoided.

I'm thinking pre-finished components held with knock down fittings.
"life time" in an Ikea inspired furniture market is probably not much longer than 10 years.

[auscab]

Still thinking about this .

A 4 sider, while quick once its set up would produce it the quickest, but 99% of cabinet work shops don't have that machine . Its got to be sent out to a specialist machinist normally for that, and costs more than producing it with your own labour, or your staff's .

Doing it on your own power fed Spindle Moulder I would say is most likely. As China said.
Its just two blade and jig set ups but 99 % of cabinet work shops do have that machinery so its more likely done on that.

I wouldn't be standing on top the stuff to change a light bulb ! :)
Edit for the usual spelling corrections, and Ill add this.
It is pleasing to the eye though , a nice design in nice Aussie timber.

Rob

[rrich]

My guess is a square piece of timber with a hole drilled by a large drill bit or on a lathe with a tool holder of sufficient reach to complete the inside surface. Think a metal working lathe. Then a lathe with jaws holding the inside of the piece to finish the outside.

Finally two through cuts on a table saw to quarter the piece.

An alternate method would be start with a square piece of timber. Use a lathe to turn a round hole about 5 cm deep in each end of the piece. Then turn the outside of the entire surface. Finally back to the table saw for the through cuts. For the entertainment center table, you can't see much more than 15 or 20 mm of inside of the curved parts.

Finally buy a hollow tube column for a porch and cut it on the table saw.

[elanjacobs]

I guess it could be done like that, but it's definitely not in this case. Way too many processes needed to make it happen and you'd be left with visible glue lines everywhere from having to laminate a large enough block of timber, most of which would end up as sawdust.

4-siders aren't restricted to large factories anymore, there are smaller models that can be had for the price of a decent panel saw.

[auscab]

4-siders aren't restricted to large factories anymore, there are smaller models that can be had for the price of a decent panel saw.

Is there , never noticed them. Any machinery I'm into first has to be rusty these days :), then cheap if possible and English.

Either way its got to be moulded on a moulder . Single or 4 sides.

I'm not up on what CNC does or is capable of either . I'm assuming one of those could do it but it would be a much longer drawn out process with multiple passes. Moulding it just spits it out almost.

I find it interesting thinking of how it could be done for the production runs , and also how it could be done as a one off home job . It wouldn't be impossible as a one off with moulding planes , or a router and hand planes on the outside.

[ian]

I'm not up on what CNC does or is capable of either . I'm assuming one of those could do it but it would be a much longer drawn out process with multiple passes. I suspect that Elan's ENC could knock out an 8 foot length of large quarter round out in 3 passes.

Pass 1. The internal quarter round
re mount on a suitable mandrel
Passes 2 & 3. The outside curve

[elanjacobs]

I suspect that Elan's ENC could knock out an 8 foot length of large quarter round out in 3 passes.

Pass 1. The internal quarter round
re mount on a suitable mandrel
Passes 2 & 3. The outside curve
Nope, CNC's are absolutely terrible for moulding because there's no practical way to securely clamp the timber that still allows clear access to the face and edges to be moulded.