Thread: How to make curved and rebated box legs?

Originally Posted by Dengue

My wife has been looking at some books on box making that I was careless to leave lying around, and now have a request for a couple of boxes like the ones shown below

Can anyone please advise how to make these curved legs?

Would just gluing the legs to the boxes be adequate?



Box_Jan.jpg

Hi Dengue,

The way that these appear to be set in to the front and side of the box makes me suspect that they are made in two halves and glue joined along a centre line in line with the diagonals on the box.

A router template would probably be the easiest way to cut the curved shape in the half legs. If the box is set in to the legs glue would be more than adequate to hold them on.

They always pick the hard ones don't they!

Good luck, David.

Thanks to Ruddy who sent me this, I think its self explanatory. Legs were cut on band saw, I used biscuits to join.
Good luck on your box making. If you look up previous you will find the box Ruddy make, he is a very gifted box maker.
Billylad


abox23.JPG

Many thanks Billylad, very much appreciated. Another case of a picture worth a thousand words.

One question, was there much of a problem cutting two adjoining curved surfaces on each leg?

No. very easy, just draw your pattern with a pencil, then band saw. I used 3/8 blade, I would practice on a scrape pine and make a couple first, that is what I did I cut it them from a piece of 30x30mm
Billylad

Hi Dengue,
When you bandsaw or scrollsaw the curves in the legs firstly mark out both curves (front and side)and cut as close to the line as you feel comfortable with. After you have done the first cut, use masking tape and tape the offcut back onto the piece so you still have a square piece to handle. Then cut the second cut and keep the offcuts. They come in handy to help hold the legs in the vice while you do the final sanding.
Hope this helps.