Australian Wood Review – June 2017

I

ntroducing angles and curves into furniture design can

make a big difference in how the final piece looks, but

there is also an increase in the complexity of the joinery.

In this series of articles, we will look at ways of dealing with

curved and angled elements, and some strategies you can use

to deal with the complexity. I’ll use the example of a recently

completed cabinet-on-stand to discuss different approaches

to dealing with angles and curves.

Here we will look at a method of joining two curved

elements. In article two we will look at methods for making

curved drawer fronts and curved rails, and then finally we

will look at a method for making curved doors.

Design decisions

When designing the cabinet-on-stand, I chose to curve the

front of the cabinet rather than keeping it rectangular. That

one design decision has had considerable ramifications for

the build, as we shall see.

http://www.woodreview.com.au 25

TECHNIQUE

Working With

Curves, Part 1

The first of a series in which Peter Young looks at some of the technical challenges

and design options which introducing curves into your work can bring.

1

Main and above: Working with curves opens up design possibilities

but construction methods need to be thought through.

The author’s cabinet on stand in silver ash and fiddleback Qld maple.

Photos: Andrew Porfyri

1 Drawing the curve using a thin baton held in place by three brads.