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Step 6Rounding Template
Because there are several rounded ends on this project, I made a rounding template to make identical rounded corners quickly and easily.
The template is made out of a scrap piece of MDF. First I cut it to the right width. Then I drew a half-circle of the right diameter on it.
I rough-cut this half-circle using my electric jigsaw, then filed it closer and closer to the line with a rasp and a file. Sandpaper gives the template a very smooth profile.
It is worth spending a bit of time at this stage to make sure the template is very accurate, since you will be using it on several parts of the project. If it is wonky, the wonkiness will be copied to all the curves on the project!
Using the template is easy. With a flush trim bit in the router, I clamped the wooden piece to the template and ran the bit around gently, then more firmly, to form the curve.
It's an easy, repeatable cut, just needs a bit of cleaning up with sandpaper due to the way the curve cuts into endgrain.
I rounded both ends of the step supports, the top of the back supports, and the side supports.
For each piece, I cut curves on one side and used that side as a template for the opposing piece - this makes sure each pair of pieces are identical.
The template is made out of a scrap piece of MDF. First I cut it to the right width. Then I drew a half-circle of the right diameter on it.
I rough-cut this half-circle using my electric jigsaw, then filed it closer and closer to the line with a rasp and a file. Sandpaper gives the template a very smooth profile.
It is worth spending a bit of time at this stage to make sure the template is very accurate, since you will be using it on several parts of the project. If it is wonky, the wonkiness will be copied to all the curves on the project!
Using the template is easy. With a flush trim bit in the router, I clamped the wooden piece to the template and ran the bit around gently, then more firmly, to form the curve.
It's an easy, repeatable cut, just needs a bit of cleaning up with sandpaper due to the way the curve cuts into endgrain.
I rounded both ends of the step supports, the top of the back supports, and the side supports.
For each piece, I cut curves on one side and used that side as a template for the opposing piece - this makes sure each pair of pieces are identical.
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