Making the Downward Arches
The function of the tools I use and how they work are explained here. Specific tools used are noted in bold.
Like the main arch, the two downward arches taper in thickness from the middle to the ends. The arches are constructed by laminating together two pieces of baltic birch plywood. This type of plywood has more numerous and densers plies than typical plywood, and results in a very dense structure. Like the main arch plies, the downward arches plies were tapered using the taper sled in the widebelt sander. Glue is rolled on and the packet of plies is pressed in the vacuum press.
After the glue dries the arches are cut on the bandsaw. The convex curve is smoothed on the edge sander. The concave curve is smoothed by hand using a compass plane. The compass plan has a flexible sole which can be bent in an unlimited number of radiuses. The final truing of the curves is done via hand sanding.
