I'm looking for some details regarding fluted quarter columns. Your book "Period Furniture Details" shows how to make the quarter columns, but what is the best way the carve the cavity out of the leg post in a lowboy to
create the space for the quarter column?
- Sam
Fort Wayne, IN
Our Expert
There is a strong relationship between 18th century American furniture and architecture; fluted quarter columns are a good example. Like a full-size architectural column the scaled down examples used on furniture are full of eye-catching details.
As the name implies, quarter columns are 1/4 of a full column. After shaping the base, capital, and shaft the column is divided into quarters and inset into the corners of fine casework as decoration.
To create a cavity on dovetailed casework such as a clock, I make a stop cut on the tablesaw. However, post-and-rail construction, such as a dressing table, requires a different approach. Because of the thickness of the stock and the compound curves of a cabriole leg it is not practical to use the tablesaw.
Instead, after working the post blocks flush with the case sides I use a router and a straight bit such as Amana Tool number 45418. I begin by laying out the area for the column with a knife then I slowly and carefully remove most of the stock with the router. Afterwards, I complete the cavity by squaring the corners and paring to the knife lines with a long, wide chisel.
