Replies

1. 
   coco1kiwi2 | May 16, 2010 03:17pm | #1

   Tapered Legs

   clayhanna,

   Hi, my first question is what are you capable of with your experience.  How would you make your tapered legs or have you made them before?  Tapering all 4 sides is a little tricky for some people.  To keep it simple my rule of thumb is to taper the side with the tenon.  If I am doing a project for someone who needs them to be exact for the period I will do all four sides but for myself, family & friends I will mostly taper only two sides.  I usually like the look of two sides better than four. Hope this helps you, Joe

2. 
   rwdare | May 16, 2010 05:07pm | #2

   tapers

   If the legs have stringing, four-sides is the way to go A very simple method of tapering is to use a jointer, Set the depth of cut for 1/32" less than half the taper and run the leg bottom first for 1/8" less than the length of the taper. A stop block makes getting all sides of all legs the same. Then turn the leg around, holding the cut to the infeed, and run through again on all four sides.

   When finished there's enough stock left to clean up with a hand plane. If you're inlaying the legs, do it after tapering and before final planing.

   Dick

3. 
   RMillard | May 16, 2010 06:12pm | #3

   I don't recall seeing many that are tapered on just two sides and all of the tables I have made have had all four sides tapered.

   Rob Millard

   http://www.americanfederalperiod.com

4. 
   joinerswork | May 16, 2010 09:49pm | #4

   Contrary to other posters' experience, the old work I've seen is nearly all tapered only on the inside faces of the legs.  The only exceptions I can think of are sideboards that have four legs arrayed along the front, whose two central legs are tapered on three sides, the front face having no taper.  Legs that are tapered on all four faces have a "pigeon-toed" appearance to my eyes.

   Ray

1. 
   RMillard | May 17, 2010 07:09am | #6

   Ray,

   I just spent the last hour laying a straightedge on every picture I could find of federal side tables. I will have to admit I found many more examples of tables that taper on only the inside faces, than I expected to. An interesting trend emerged from the search; it appears that the more rural the piece, the more likely it is to have only two faces tapered. 

   I once made a sideboard whose end legs had only the inside faces tapered, and I did not like the results, because the bellflowers seemed to be "out of plumb". I also made a Pembroke table whose legs were tapered on two sides. I thought it would look better that way, because the leaves would be parallel, to the legs, but to my eye the legs looked like they were splaying out under a heavy weight placed on the top.

   As always, what you have to say is correct and thought provoking.

   Thanks

   Rob Millard

   http://www.americanfederalperiod.com

1. 
   joinerswork | May 17, 2010 08:28am | #7

   Hi Rob,

   Then as now, the decision of how many sides to taper and "how it looks" is with the maker.  I'm not sure there is a right way or a wrong way to approach it, unless one is trying to copy a specific example.   Or should I say that I am sure there is no wrong way...

   Your  drawing a distinction between rural and urban work is thought provoking as well.  Perhaps a finer distinction would be whether the legs are ornamented or not?  I've noticed the lop-sided effect of laying a string of lowers down the asymetrically  tapered space as well, though only while I'm doing the inletting, not so much after it's in place.

   Regards,

   Ray

2. 
   WillGeorge | May 17, 2010 10:46am | #8

   Ray: I do not build Federal style furniture but I look often...

   "Contrary to other posters' experience, the old work I've seen is nearly all tapered only on the inside faces of the legs.  The only exceptions I can think of are sideboards that have four legs arrayed along the front, whose two central legs are tapered on three sides, the front face having no taper.  Legs that are tapered on all four faces have a "pigeon-toed" appearance to my eyes."

   I was looking at this picture and I 'see' tapered four sides. But I am not sure.

   http://www.oneofakindantiques.com/catalog/4717_charak_furniture_federal_inlaid_sideboard_server_1.htm

   I have commented because my eyes seem to see the same as in your statement of:   Legs that are tapered on all four faces have a "pigeon-toed" appearance to my eyes.". However, the work shown in the link above appeals to me.

   For most of my work, which follows no classic style, I use tapered legs but my eyes seem to dislike a taper on the outside faces (all sides of the work) if the top portion is rectangular. I admit, I rarely make anything with more than four legs.

   In the link above, I like the tapered legs.. Could it be because of the curved top and face that draws the eye to a flowing form rather than to the rectangular box? And then there are the inlays and stringing. I would think that they must be symmetrical.

   Why beautiful furniture is as much art as woodworking skills.

5. 
   coco1kiwi2 | May 17, 2010 01:39am | #5

   Tapered Legs

   Hi clayhanna,

   After reading some of the replies you have received I felt that I needed to verify my statement to you.  I grabbed a book off of the shelf and the name is (The complete Illustrated Guide to Furniture & Cabinet Construction) written by Andy Rae and published by a company named The Taunton Press in 2001.  On page 226 under the title – Two-Sided Taper.  It reads: “Legs that taper on two faces or sides work well with all sorts of furniture designs, from traditional to contemporary. It goes on to explain, no taper, two taper and four sided taper legs and how Andy makes them.  Now I know that for every rule there is the exception.  I am familiar with Rob's work and he must be very proud of every piece he creates.  I am willing to find more examples for you from my library if it will help you make up your mind.  Either way you go you will not be wrong because there was not a government official checking every leg before it could be used.  I have only been doing this furniture making thing for 62 ½ years and I still have a lot to learn.  I was raised and lived most of my life in the Amish Country of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.  We still have a vast amount of virgin furniture from the beginning of this country.  I have a Decorated Blind Corner Cupboard brought over from Germany in 1645 by Amish Ancestors among other Museum Quality Pieces I have been lucky enough to get.  I am not trying to offend anyone I was just verifying my earlier statement, Thank You, Joe 

6. 
   coco1kiwi2 | May 17, 2010 11:47am | #9

   Rob, while I have your attention.

   Rob,

   While I have your attention: I just finished 6 of the pipe boxes like the one you have on your Web Site in preperation for Christmas and I want to thank you for the idea. Joe

1. 
   RMillard | May 17, 2010 11:51am | #10

   Joe,

   Pipe boxes are a fun project, but to me they seemed a lot more involved, time wise than I thought they'd be.

   Please post a photo of them.

   Rob Millard

7. 
   clayhanna | May 28, 2010 04:07pm | #11

   Thanks

   Thank you for all the infomation.  You have been helpful