I am making some furniture for my church in the gothic style which has repeated four lobed flower-looking design elements-quatrifoil. It is placen in three/quarter stock of ahrd red oak. I would like suggestions as to the techniques of making the four hole-center out design using a router or forester bits. thanks, Malcolm G
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Replies
How would I approach this?
If it was small in size and I had the right-sized bit, overlapping circles with a Forstner bit would be easy enough. I would lay out an appropriate sized square (see below) and run the tip of the bit into each corner.
Otherwise, use a template with plunge router and bushings. You may need to do some "climb cutting" to avoid excessive tear out. I'd probably do the rough cutting with either a straight bit and/or a sabre saw.
Then if you want, follow up with an ogee bearing bit to get a nice profile.
In either case, you have some latitude with the geometry, depending upon the esthetics you want.
Here is an article that may help with design and geometry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quatrefoil
Sounds like an intersting project; post pictures when you're done.
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