How would you do this? Footstool - complete

[Rennie Heuer]

I'm working on the design for a footstool for a client. He'd like me to match the legs of his antique chair - see pic. Only difference, the footstool leg will not be angled at the end as the chair is. I'm guessing there might be a combination of router bits that would get me there, but not sure which ones.

 

[Jim DeLaney]

I'd drill the concave with a Forstner bit, then shape the rest with chisels, rasps, and sandpaper.

 

[glenn bradley]

I would look to some 'handrail' bits, architectural trim, or Crown molding bits. I didn't quickly find a perfect match but the links and search terms will give you the idea. If there are only 3 or 4 legs removing some bulk by some machine method and rasping will certainly get you there. Bits targeting box sides or box feet have some interesting shapes as well.

 

[Bill Satko]

I'd drill the concave with a Forstner bit, then shape the rest with chisels, rasps, and sandpaper.

I agree. Layout the profile on each face and using a bandsaw, backsaw and/or chisels, remove as much as the waste as you can and then finish the shaping with rasps and sandpaper. It is how you would shape a Cabriole leg. I suggest you look at Gramercy Tools. You will want some cabinetmaker rasps and maybe a rat tail. They will help you out if you are unsure what grain or size of rasp you need or give me a PM and I can let you know what I have used.

 

[Leo Voisine]

I think you know how I would do it.

 

[Leo Voisine]

However, another way.

Either large drill or forstner bit or whatever. Mark and drill out the necked portion.

Next - band saw the angled upper part

Then - band saw the lower "bullnose" area.

Lots of rasp, file and sanding.

 

[Mike Stafford]

I did something similar a while back (a while back is Southern for a long time ago). In that instance I made crosscuts of the appropriate depth on the table saw with an extended fence and a stop to locate the cuts the same for every leg.
Then I used a chisel to split out the waste until I was close to my desired shape. I then pared it down with sharp chisels to the line. I didn't have the concave shape to deal with. If I did I would probably have used a die grinder with rasps to achieve the final shape.

 

[Rennie Heuer]

This could work....Maybe?

 

[Dan Noren]

more pics of the leg would help

 

[Rennie Heuer]

Here's a try with the router bits as described above - just eyeballed everything so its a bit inconsistent. Pretty close I think.

 

[Leo Voisine]

That looks good.

I was also thinking just band saw with a 3/16 blade. A fair bit of cleanup on an OSS afterwards.

 

[Rennie Heuer]

Getting closer. Used a dado set on this one instead of a bandsaw. Much easier to maintain consistency.

 

[Mike Stafford]

Both attempts look pretty darn good to me. Sanding might be a challenge....

 

[glenn bradley]

I would say your second attempt has got it. From there it would just be a bit of handwork. Having the advantage of a consistent starting point is always helpful when I’m free handing things. Witness marks are helpful too. I will put red pencil lines where I want to stop. Once I eat the line I know I’m at the mark.

 

[Paul Douglass]

Is it just the picture or is it me.. the picture of the original leg look slanted including the profile.. That may make things more difficult to match..

 

[Rennie Heuer]

Is it just the picture or is it me.. the picture of the original leg look slanted including the profile.. That may make things more difficult to match..

Nope, not you - it is slanted. This is the front leg on a Morris type chair. On the chair the legs cant back a few degrees making it necessary to match that angle on the foot pad so it will meet the floor square. Fortunately, the footstool I am building to match the chair has legs that are perpendicular to the floor so no angled foot pad needed.

 

[Charles Lent]

I like your second attempt, and wouldn't hesitate to go with that method. A little more fine sanding and it would be perfect.

Charley

 

[Rennie Heuer]

Thanks Charley!

This is the finished product. There are small differences in each of the feet - this was intentional, to a degree. The chair this stool will be paired with is over 100 years old and was hand made. There are variances in the carvings and the customer was rather specific - he wants the stool to look as though it was made at the same time as the chair.

 

[Robert Horky]

Looks like you nailed it. Nice job.

 

[Rennie Heuer]

Complete and ready to ship. This is going out to the customer unfinished.
Custom designed to match an antique chair - storage under cushion (to be added by customer).

Thanks Leo for the fantastic carving!!!!