Replies

1. 
   [email protected] | Jan 08, 2022 07:02pm | #1

   If the cross section is modust then use the indexing head on your lathe.First turn the leg t o the appropriate taper.Then make a jig that holds your router and will follow a tapered board attached to the bed of the lathe.Purchase one of those router bits sold to surfas plane wide boards.Uncover your index head,determine the holes necessary to conform with the number of faces,lock the index,run the router to make the first face,and continue locking the head on the prenarked index holes

2. 
   Catalley1 | Jan 08, 2022 08:04pm | #2

   Thanks Paul! Makes perfect sense to me & as soon as I am back in the shop,( tested + for covid 2 days ago), I will give it a try. I have a collection of spoils bits for flattining slabs & a nice Powermatic lathe, so no shopping necessary.
   Thanks for the education. I love learning new stuff!
   Capt Dennis

1. 
   user-1118538293 | Jan 08, 2022 08:47pm | #3

   Best wishes for a speedy and full recovery.

3. 
   Rob_Sp | Jan 09, 2022 10:15am | #4

   Typically, a taper on a leg will terminate into a square section to receive the aprons. With a hexagon only two vertices will intersect with 2 sides of a square, if all six were to touch then the upper section would need to be a rectangle in section. Both seem a bit odd, maybe you have a plan, but I can't help but wonder if you have thought this through. Generally speaking an octagon would be more pleasing.
   A sketch of your leg or table would be helpful.
   Either way a bandsaw with a simple taper jig would make quick work of it, particularly If a stop cut is required as shown in the drawing

   
1. 
   Catalley1 | Jan 09, 2022 02:00pm | #6

   27B_6 - Thanks for your reply & I agree with you 100%. After making several sketches the 8 sided legs are much more appealing to the eye & as you show in your sketch, especially where the facets terminate into the square sections of the legs. I have glued several leg blanks, 2 more than needed, from some bergundy red quartersawn old growth pecan & will try both the lathe & bandsaw techniques. Thanks to all for some great tips & for takeing time to reply.
   Catalley1

1. 
   Rob_Sp | Jan 09, 2022 04:56pm | #7

   Thanks. Attached are the plans and picture of a "Saturday table" I make if you are interested in a variation of the straight taper. The original can be found at the Pleasant Hill Shaker Village in KY. The octagonal legs diminish with a swell or entasis vs a straight taper, which indicates to me the maker of this unusual piece must have been classically trained, so I used the principles found in Chippendale's Directory, among others to layout the patterns.
   Working from the patterns the first 4 sides are slabbed off with a bandsaw then finished with a small block plane with a high angle and used so as not to straighten the curve. The second 4 chamfers are cut with a draw knife and block plane.
   Maybe the plans would be useful to you for reference. The leg could be cut with straight tapers as well if desired. If printed on super B paper (13" X 19") The leg pattern should print full size.

   
4. 
   mikaol | Jan 09, 2022 10:21am | #5

   Love your idea, catalley1. I'd love to see the finished product. And, imho, beauty is in the eye of the maker.
   You probably know this but I found bottom-cleaning bits on MLCS. No shipping.
   Mikaol