Replies

1. 
   MBerger | Mar 23, 2008 01:46am | #1

   Hi Modwood.

   This one has me a bit stumped. I've never actually seen a router jig that can do what you're trying to do with precision. I have seen the roughing jigs like the one in Sandor's book and I too can't think of any way to adapt it.

   The first thing that comes to mind if I were making this is to put the seat blank on the lathe and turn the hollow. It will be perfectly circular and you can get the shape just right. To do this, find the center and screw a face plate to the underside of the seat (you can glue on a screw block if you don't want to drill into the underside of the seat). Then use a gouge or a round scraper to cut away the shape of the seat.

   If you don't own a lathe, write back and I'll pass this question around the office.

   Matt Berger
   Fine Woodworking

1. 
   Modwood | Mar 23, 2008 06:29pm | #2

   Greetings Matt:

   Thanks for the stool seat router jig advice. Turning the seats on a lathe was my first idea as well, but mine(mini-lathe) won't handle the larger blanks needed. 

   I scanned through Sandor's jig book again and found a sculptor's turntable jig that I plan to adapt.  With this simplified approach the seat blank rotates on a lazy susan- style turntable. The router carriage suspended above it can now be built with only one set of curved rails instead of two. With a little trial and error I can determine the correct carriage rail curvature to achieve various diameters.

   Thanks again for your advice and  to FWW for providing this forum.

   Modwood

   Readers FYI: Although a bit dated, Sandor's Workshop Jigs and Fixtures is one of the most useful workshop and jig making books I've read.  I've already used his ideas to improve the safety and accuracy of my old standby's such as tapering  and tenon jigs. Sandor presents many clever solutions and ideas to help one solve more challenging workshop problems.