Drawing and Cutting the Curves
The function of the tools I use and how they work are explained here. Specific tools used are noted in bold.
A key design element throughout the table is smooth flowing curves - there are no straight lines. I use several methods for drawing curves. Bending bows are fiberglass strips that bend in uniform arches. The yellow bow bends symmetrically, and the width of the green bow is tapered thus resulting in asymmetrical arches. French curves are standard curve templates based on mathematical formulas where the curvature changes linearly with its curve length. To draw longer arches a long even grain stick is bent. Large circles/arches are drawn with a beam compass.
Because all the curves on the table have to be repeated, I make templates which are then used to duplicate the curves. The bandsaw is used to rough cut the curve, and a special compass hand plane, which has a flexible bottom, is used to smooth the cut lines. The bottom can be adjusted to match the arch of the desired curve.
The table pieces’ curves are rough cut with the bandsaw. The cuts are trimmed clean by using a router with a guide bushing. The template is temporarily attached to the piece. The guide bushing follows the template and the cutting bit duplicates the template’s shape.
