Arches- Stop Cut Method

ByIzzy Berger

Note: This exercise will help you to remove large amounts of material using the stop cut method. It requires accurate reading of the grain and a sharp chisel.

For this exercise, you will need:

1. Cut a template from a piece of paper and transfer the shape onto your wood (Paul uses a more permanent wooden template here).

2. Use your saw to create stop cuts about 1” (25mm) apart, stopping just before you get to the line. These stop cuts will avoid you splitting the grain too far.

3. Using a sharp chisel bevel down, split cut each section by taking off a small amount of material first to allow you to read the grain. If the grain is fairly straight, you can split nearer to the line. Start on the outside high points either side and work down towards the mid section, when you get to the middle from one side, start the opposite side from the other end.

Use the chisel bevel down to make sure you don’t split the grain beyond your line

If you are confident your grain is straight and won’t split beyond your line, you can start your split close to your line

If you are unsure of the direction of grain, start your split part way up and see which direction the wood splits in

Once you have reach the halfway point in your arch, start again from the other side

Take care when you reach your final split

Once you have reached the end, use light taps with your chisel and chisel hammer to remove the last of the bulk of waste material

4. Use a flat bottomed spokeshave to help refine your curve, go from the outside to the middle, then switch over and do it from the opposite end, this generally ensures you are always using the spokeshave ‘downhill’ or with the grain rather than against it. Sometimes you will find the cut is against the grain, in this case turn the spokeshave around and work the opposite way. To reach the bottom of the curved section, you may need to extend your spokeshave blade out a little more to cut the wood in this section. If you are finding it difficult, oil your spokeshave as this reduces the friction and should make it easier to use (for a picture on how to do this, see our ‘Using a Spokeshave‘ guide).

Always try to use the spokeshave going ‘down the hill’

You can use the spokeshave on the push stroke

You can also use the spokeshave on the pull stroke

5. You can use a scraper to refine the curve and remove any minor irregularities and high spots.

6. Finish off by using 240 grit sandpaper

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12 Comments

  4. Hi. Thanks for the excellent advice. I wonder if you can provide any advice for wider stock. I’m trying to produce an arc in 3 inch wide stock along a 10 inch length, wider than any chisel I have. Is it a case of similar technique as above followed by card scraping and sanding? Thanks

  5. I must tell you Paul ,that I have followed your tuition for years . It was only by accident I found out about COMMON WOODWORKING courses . I think it would be a good idea for your followers if you did a quick blog post on ALL the articles and courses we can subscribe and see . I mean a LIST of them . I hope tis is not too presumptuous of me . kind regards Christopher.

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