Chairs

Our Expert

18th century furniture makers lightened the appearance of chairs by rounding, beveling, and chamfering to remove the harsh, ninety degree corners. For example, the edges of splats on period chairs are typically beveled toward the back a few degrees; this, in effect, places more emphasis on the flowing lines on the face of the splat and also makes the splatappear thinner.

Back legs are thick at the seat joints for strength. Below the seat the legs are chamfered or rounded. Once again, this has the effect of making the chair appear lighter and more sculptural.

To create a chamfer on the legs, I use the Amana no.49404 chamfer bit with a guide bearing; the bit should be used in a table-mounted router for this job. Because you'll be shaping a freeform curve it's important to use a starting pin as a fulcrum to pivot the leg into the bit. Keep the work positioned flat on the table and stop the cut one inch below the seatrail.