The Technique of FURNITURE MAKING

Shaped rails in leg framing

If the under edge of a rail is curved it will become a feather edge where it meets the leg if framed up in the usual manner (213:1 A). Sugested treatments are shown in 213:1 for flush rails and 213:2 for inset rails. Figure 213:1 in particular has decorative possibilities and is a great favourite with handworkers. Figure 213:3 shows another treatment which is more wasteful of wood but equally effective. Where intermediate legs occur in long rails, as in long sideboards, they can be bridled as in 213:4. In all cases the final shaping to the curve is eased away after the framework has been assembled. Figure 213:5 is commonly known as the 'Check' joint and 213:6 shows the treatment of a rail with inset bead lining up with the face of the leg. This detail relieves the monotony of a long straight rail joining a square-shaped leg.

Sculptured joints

The term sculptured is applied to jointed parts fitted together and shaped to a continuous curve unbroken at the line of the joint as if the whole structure were carved out of a solid piece (although that is not the object of the technique, for the change in grain direction will always show, and the chief considerations are, or should be, flowing structural lines and smooth, unbroken surfaces with no sharp angles). This type of joint is usually confined to chair-work, although it has applications in table framing, and the final shaping must be done after the joints have been assembled. Preliminary drawings are necessary, laying out full-size plans, elevations and cross-sections, with the latter in great detail if the work is to be executed by a third person. The wood must be thick enough to take the shaping with plenty to spare, and in order to facilitate the final shaping some of the first rough cutting can be done before assembly, but wherever possible square faces should be left for laying out the joints and final cramping/clamping. Figure 214 illustrates the

technique, and the drawing at 214:1 shows a turned taper leg with a square block left for the jointing which is cut away on the dotted lines to give the dowel seating, and also a square face (214:3A) for a direct pull for the cramps. The completed joint is shown in 214:2, while 214:4 is a simply made rasp for final finishing made out of a two-pronged stick over which abrasive paper of the appropriate grade is wrapped. It should be remembered that the sweetness of the final curves is largely in the hands of the executant, no matter how detailed the drawings may be; therefore for very exact work a full-size model in clay or softwood may be necessary.

Canted leg framing

These are shown in 215:1, 2 and only require laying out to the angle as shown by the drawing; but if the legs are canted in both directions (front and side) then the rails will require a compound cut although in practice an angle of a few degrees can be disregarded.

Finger joint for leg framing

Square section chair legs and arms are sometimes jointed with the finger or box lock joint (215:3). The fingers can be cut with band - or tenon-saw as described on p. 178, or a series of mortises cut by machine in both members as shown in the inset, and trimmed down to the cuts.

Cabriole leg framings

Figure 215:4 shows a bottom rail tenoned into the upper post of a cabriole leg with applied wing to the leg, and 215:5 a shaped rail in an independent stand arrangement made up of separate elements (A) to save wood. Either a plinth mould (215:5) screwed to the underside of the carcass or a cap moulding (A) is fitted, the latter forming a locating rebate/rabbet for the loose stand.