Queen Ann Legs

terson525 · Post by **terson525** » Sun Jun 10, 2007 10:42 am

Does anyone know where I can find info on turning Queen Ann table legs?

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Sun Jun 10, 2007 12:34 pm

As far as I know they aren't turned. They are sawn out (rough) on a band saw - then rasped, shaved, sanded. When this is done the pencil outline (or pattern) is fixed on two adjacent sides of a squared blank. After the first side is cut out - the cut offs are saved and taped back in place. This gives an almost squared piece again to saw the second side along the pattern. The taped cut offs are then removed and a rough Queen Anne leg is born.

If I can be so obtrusive - you don't need more instruction for band saw use on this. Just draw out a small leg on a squared small work piece and cut yourself out a "toy" leg. Incidentally, this is a lot easier than it seems to the casual viewer of these beautiful legs. This was my first project with my band saw and it came out real well.

I have seen some articles on turning off centered objects, but I will let that go to be addressed by some of our turners. They will know if you can turn these legs. Frankly, I just don't know!

alancooke · Post by **alancooke** » Sun Jun 10, 2007 3:10 pm

The June 2007 issue of Fine Woodworking has a whole article devoted to this.

Alan Cooke

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Sun Jun 10, 2007 6:50 pm

Maybe this will help.

http://www.woodzone.com/plans/cabriole_leg.htm
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charlese · Post by **charlese** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 10:40 pm

That's a great post with URL that Dusty gave you. I have one problem with the tools needed to make the legs. A Spoke Shave can give you problems as the slope of the leg changes and the knife starts against the grain. For that reason I used a rasp and hat excellent luck with it. I think a rasp is less expensive than a spoke shave or draw knife.

As a carver I learned early on about trying to use a sharp blade against the grain. Unless you have experience with the spoke shave - I can't recommend it.

Best Wishes