Replies

1. 
   9619 | Feb 28, 2010 10:59pm | #1

   Chile,

   I don't know what you are really asking.   I looked at the photo.  It doesn't seem all that difficult.  Draw up the legs.  Transfer the drawing the wood.  Take it to the bandsaw, and cut the legs out. Then use appropriate tools to finish "carving" or shaping the legs - a drawknife or a spokeshave, or a rasp and a file,          take your pick.  Some combination of them should finish off the legs.

   Are you wondering what the way is to join the legs to the stretchers and to the top.  I believe that would be mortise and tenon.  

   I got on Google and did a search on "Chinese Horse Hoof Furniture Legs"  and got 13,900 hits.    I believe there is a wealth of information out there for you.  I just can't figure out what you are asking, what your background is, how much knowledge you have of furniture design and construction, how much research you have done on the topic, etc. 

   If you put your mind to it, I believe you might be able to do some research and make the legs this weekend.

   Have fun.   Don't let little non-problems get in the way of success.  Take the problem by the horns, shake it, and make a solution work.  Don't make or take excuses.    MAKE IT HAPPEN.

   Mel

1. 
   WillGeorge | Mar 01, 2010 12:53pm | #2

   Mel, afternoon to ya'

   Are you wondering what the way is to join the legs to the stretchers and to the top.  I believe that would be mortise and tenon. 

   Every one I saw in China (very old work I was allowed to examine) were three way miters with mortise and tenon or dovetails to the rails. OK, so I was only allowed to examine 5 old tables. ALL of the feet were worn off at the base of the foot but appeared to be one hunk of wood. Not to say that a gule-on pad extension is out of the question for saving money on not wasting good expensive wood.

   I wanted to have those feet on my two China style beds for my grandbabies but it would have been very expensive 'frill'.. But If I had more money I would have made all the tapered posts with wide enough stock to carve off the classis Chinese furniture foot.... 

2. 
   WillGeorge | Mar 01, 2010 01:06pm | #3

   Here is a foot that I adapted from an Arts and crafts picture book.. Nice work..

   All of the (VERY OLD furniture) I saw on my trips to China had the foot toe's facing inside toward the center of the work. Not  as your picture shows. I REALLY DO NOT mean that your work is wrong in any way.. Just a bit different fron classic old Chinese work that I saw. And the toe was rounded and not at a angle. All the old stuff I saw were VERY old so I have no idea if the original food had a 'pad' at the bottom of the foot.

3. 
   JerryW | Mar 01, 2010 10:37pm | #4

   Chile - since I suspect that you are trying to accurately reproduce a traditional furniture highlight as opposed to a "bang it out this weekend" approximation, you may be interested in the following publication available from Amazon and many others:

   Amazon.com: Chinese Domestic Furniture in Photographs and Measured Drawings by Gustav Ecke (1944)...

   Reprint of rare volume offers detailed review of hardwood furniture from early Shang to late Ming. For collector, craftsman. 161 illustrations.

   Jerry

1. 
   mrossk | Mar 02, 2010 12:58am | #5

   While the subject is up- does anyone have any info, or point me to some, that would assisit in the technique of those 3-way miters? It's not the classic 3 way where all 3 pieces are the same dimensions. The joint, according to some text I have is called a "Hanging Tenon"- there is a 3 way miter, sliding dovetail, and mortice and tenon all in that corner

   any help?

   Thanks, Michael

   
4. 
   JerryW | Mar 02, 2010 06:24am | #6

   Chile - take a look at this link.  It shows an "animated" view of the corner joint.

   http://www.antique-chinese-furnitures.com/chinese-furniture-knowledge/chinese-furniture-journery.html

   Jerry