Hi Ernie,
I am currently at the point of attaching under-the-apron knee blocks to a glued-up Philadelphia style ball-and-claw footstool. I have three questions (sorry). First, do you think the apron and legs should be planed flush prior to laying out the knee block profile for bandsawing, or that it would be better to lay out the knee blocks and fair them together with the legs and apron? Second, do you think hide glue would be adequate for attaching knee blocks, or that they should be reinforced with cut nails or screws? Lastly, cut nails are scarce in my parts, and if you had to resort to screws what would be your choice? Despite all the print and internet hoopla about cabriole legs and ball-and-claw feet, it seems to me that knee blocks are their disregarded second cousins. Thanks for your time.
Regards,
Bejuan
Replies
Hi Jamie,
The aprons of Queen Anne Furniture (and its derivatives, Chippendale, etc.) are commonly found with the aprons both flush with the leg pommels and with the aprons set back a bit to give a reveal. Most footstools I have seen have the aprons flush because of the small size. It seems logical to me to plane everything flush before attaching the knee blocks. The knee blocks’ only purpose is to ease the transition between the massiveness of the leg as compared to the small size of the pommel that you end up with in a carved cabriole leg. The knee block blends everything together nicely. Knee blocks have little if any structural value. Therefore glue alone would be quite sufficient and hide glue would be better than most and true to the time and spirit of the piece. If I were to use a screw I would use a common wood screw which was known in the 18th Century. I would buff all the plating off of it or find an old one.
With best regards,
Ernie
Hi Ernie,
Thanks for the prompt input. I will proceed accordingly.
Jamie
Dear Jamie,Proceed carefully!With best regards,
Ernie
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