Wood Working.?

Question

Please explain in detail, what is the best way to make a
wooden archway for a hallway entrance that has a curved
door way.
Thanks for your time.

Answer 1

Draw a template of the actual dimensions of the door way and frame it out. To cover the framework, use 1/2" plywood and to achieve a piece of wood able to "bend" you take your radial saw and cut "slots" or a single pass spaced about three inches apart and maybe a 1/4"deep 90 deg." to the inside of the bottom . The cuts will allow the plywood to bend to make the inside of the curve, leaving a smooth surface to work with for finishing..

Answer 2

Answer number one certainly has a valid suggestion. I'll just add my two cents.

I have a couple of thoughts in my early morning confusion.

Hallway entrance has a curved doorway? What exactly does that mean? Is there an existing arch over an existing doorway? or is there a doorway/opening/passage in which you want to add a radius top door?

I just completed making radius window "tops" in one room of my house; and I've worked theater set construction as long as anything else; and I prefer LUAN for radius arches. No offense meant at all with regard to ply, but its structure equates to layering in opposite grain directions at thickensses of perhaps 1/16 or less. It's possible that sequential cuts; might still cause cracking in the outer/under/uncut layers/ when you attempt the size of your opening; creating your radius. Certainly it can be pre-tested.

As important; or moreso is the support structure for the arch; and constructing it to not only attach to the opposing walls in a passage way; but constructed like the walls are, and either flushing the arch to the opposing walls or making it look very obvious by finishing it in other ways.

If you had added just a bit more detail; your answers might be more exact?

Steven Wolf
[e-mail]

Answer 3

It will depend on the gap you may have and whether or not or no longer you'll be able to get the entire manner round it. In different phrases, if it'll be placed within the core of the store and you have got the gap a 4x8 or 3x6 could be excellent. If it's in opposition to one wall you ought to maintain it extra shallow on the grounds that you'll be able to handiest achieve thus far. As for top, it will depend on your use. Traditionally, woodworking benches had been cut back then 30" (average counter top) so you'll be able to lean into and get a few "oomph" into the hand equipment which might be getting used. Powertools negate that want so counter top is extra at ease.