Rounding a square?

[docrowan]

I've seen in my Rockler catalog a router attachment that allows you to put a small "dowel" end on a log to make rustic furniture with. As I've pondered different ideas for furniture, it occured to me it's very easy to drill a round hole at different angles in a seat. It's also very easy to cut square and rectangular legs, arms, and braces. The hard part for someone without a lathe is to put a round end on a square leg. Is there a simple way to do this?

[dbhost]

I have seen those round tenon makers you are talking about... I think one way to do it, and mind you it wouldn't be super accurate, but lay your circle out, cut as close as possible with hand saws, then keep cleaning it up with chisels, and finally sand it down. Use calipers to keep an eye on where it is high and where it is low and go slow. It should be fine...

Honestly, a lathe seems to be the easiest way to turn squares into round...

[Russianwolf]

Doesn't LV sell dowel makers?

[pelligrini]

It looks like you can do it on a table saw fairly easily. I've seen this jig in a couple places.

[eezlock]

rounding a square?

If I read your post correctly, you are wanting to make a tennon on rough
stock for rustic furniture? Is that correct? I have seen a tennon maker
attachment in Rockler's catalogue. You chuck it in an electric drill and start cutting the tennon. I would assume that the best procedure would be,
to rough cut the tennon to approximate size with a saw, draw knife or what ever method you have available then use the tennon cutter to do the finish
sizing. I haven't tried that yet...but seems like a reasonable way to make that type furniture a lot easier. eezlock

[docrowan]

Pelligrini's post links to a jig that answers my question. I wasn't aware of the proper terminology, but I am looking to cut round tenons on square stock without a lathe. The jig allows one to do this with great accuracy, repeatability, and concentricity. All this while using a tablesaw which I already own.

Thanks guys, I'd been scratching my head on that one for a while.

[scmhogg]

Chris,

I've used my router table with 1/4 round bits to make both long and large dowels. Just leave the ends square. And, use any wood you want. I made a 1 1/2" dowel out of Zebrawood for my threading jig.

Steve

[Bill in Buena Park]

Easiest method I can think of - but will limit you to creating a dowel-like tenon based on the sizes of your router roundover bits.

First tenon-cut the end of your square or rectangular stock to leave a centered, square tenon that when rounded over with the router will leave a round tenon. Then:

a) for square stock, make four appropriately stopped routings of the tenon.

b) for rectangular stock, make two stopped-passes on the router table with the height set for the tall profile, then reset fence position and bit cut depth to cut the remaining two low-profile passes.

[Uncle Cracker]

Here is the tool to make these perfectly. Need smaller ones? These will do the trick...

[cabinetman]

Here is the tool to make these perfectly. Need smaller ones? These will do the trick...

I agree...they work great. I've even used a hole cutter and then chisel off the shoulder.
.

[Russianwolf]

here's another method
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...at=1,180,42288

[cabinetman]

here's another method
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...at=1,180,42288

Their site recommends them to be used in a drill press. It may be difficult if the application is too long.
.

[Russianwolf]

Their site recommends them to be used in a drill press. It may be difficult if the application is too long.
.

Not really, just depends on your drill press..
http://www.grizzly.com/products/5-Sp...ll-Press/G7945

[Bill in Buena Park]

here's another method
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...at=1,180,42288

Wow - that 6-piece set looks versatile ( = useful = attractive = $90 temptation to come up with projects to justify the purchase...)

[ironhat]

I know that this isn't what you're after, Chris. I just thought that I'd contribute my two cents to the tenon making conversation. I've used this one posted above and found it easier on my wrists and shoulders. Longer and irregular stock can be a challenge but I like it. If you don't have arthritic or weak wrists there's nothing wrong with the drill mounted ones. In fact, you actually may have more control.