Often it’s the attention to small details that makes fine craftsmanship stand out. If you want to build a utilitarian table, bench, or shelf, there are plenty of ways to do it without going to the trouble of making it pleasing to the eye. But sometimes we’d like to build something that will be at home in living spaces and not just our workshops. Corbels provide a nice case in point. They can adorn and hold up a shelf, become part of a table frame, or even class up the upper corners of entryways. Here’s how to cut corbels on a band saw.
Template Your Corbels
This article almost wasn’t written. We’re still not sure it’s a good idea but in the interest of full disclosure, we have to confess the following details. We thought that the great, wide Internet must have a place where we could download printable corbel templates.
Well, we were right. What we didn’t anticipate is that the best place to find them was on Pinterest, and to access them we had to set up an account. So a Pro Tool Reviews member who will remain nameless took one for the team and signed up. He’s not particularly proud, but now he can download lots of corbel templates…and tell you how to make your own laundry detergent.
Anyway, that was cathartic.
We traced out the corbel design. We cut the stock down to a manageable size using the DeWalt DWE7499 you might have seen in our best jobsite table saw article. On second thought, a circular saw might be a much better tool for the job. Shorter boards certainly make cutting corbels easier. Plus hey, more tools.
For our tool of choice, we used the Ryobi 9-inch band saw.
How to Cut Corbels on a Band Saw Continued
The not-so-secret secret to band saw curves is relief cuts. These are cuts you make before you start the outline of the corbel. As you cut the corbel, the relief cuts that you made allows waste material to break away. This gives you greater area to move the stock without twisting the blade. It also allows greater cut accuracy as it’s easier to keep the blade on the outline. Take your time with relief cuts. They are useless if they are too shallow and never meet the outline, but they will damage the corbel if they are too deep. The blade is spinning so quickly that you see the solid part of it but not the teeth, so it’s easy to go too far.
Finishing Up
Smaller relief cuts may generate small wood bits that get stuck between the table and blade. These remnants may in turn impede your workpiece. Do not try to get fancy and remove the bit while the blade is spinning. Turn off the power, wait for the blade to stop, and then remove the piece from behind the teeth. There is a way to avoid this that we’ll cover in another article.
Once you’ve cut out one corbel, you can use it to trace the rest. Sanding the rough spots and easing the edges will require some time, but it will put the finishing touch on a nice new piece.
Maturity is Knowing How to Cut Corbels
It’s true that what belongs in living spaces can change significantly with one’s marital status. So, before your 2×4 and plywood dinner table gets the curbside treatment, you may want to hone your woodworking skills. As you learn to add form to function with a band saw, before you know it, you can begin making pieces that look good and work well.
We hope this article has helped you learn how to cut corbels on a band saw. It’s certainly a good start. If you’re a Pro and you have carpentry tips to pass on, add them in the comments below or sound of on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!
