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Cornering Tools

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cornering
3K views 17 replies 14 participants last post by  AlaskaGuy 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Has anyone ever used a cornering tool like one of these:




Have you used it on end grain? Does it work well over end grain? I need to put small round overs on the ends of some 5/8" x 5/8" boards. If you have any other ideas that might work (Hand tool solutions preferred).
 
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#3 ·
Hi James,

I have never used one of those, but I think the Fridge is right. With a block plane you have great control over the depth of cut. Not so sure about this. I would love to hear from someone who actually HAS used one of these.
 
#4 ·
Normally I would use a block plane but I'm needing to round over 5/8" of end grain. With it being that short I have very little to reference the plane off of.
 
#5 ·
I have one. Used a a few times long ago. It gets the job done, but watch the grain direction ;-) I'm sure I used it on end gran going around the project, but can't really say much as I do not remember any details. The thing I remember most is taking the lazy man's way out and getting it sharpened before they shipped it. I was greatly disappointed in the sharpening job.
 
#10 · (Edited by Moderator)
I have the set in the second picture you posted. I got it, unopened, in a box of random stuff I purchased off craigslist, they were thrown in as an extra (got a spokeshave and a Wixey digital angle gauge for $20, so I consider the cornering tools as free). As Bob (Topamax) said, pay attention to grain direction. If you clamped a backer board to the workpiece to support the end grain, you may be able to use them.

I think you'll get better results with any of the other options suggested here. If I need to round over an edge, I'm more likely to grab a block plane or spokeshave before I reach for the cornering tools. Mine just gather dust. If I didn't get them for basically nothing, I wouldn't get them at all.

I chamfered the top of my last toy box with a block plane. It was QSWO, and I clamped a backer board to keep the end from blowing out. It worked out well.

Edit : I think its funny that in the first picture, the tool is being used against the grain. I think the issue with these tools is that there's nothing acting as a chipbreaker, so its more difficult to control how much bite the tool takes and you end up with a big sliver, as shown above. Much easier to control going with the grain, using the side of your hand in front of the tool as a gauge.
 
#13 ·
Thanks for all the help everyone. Sounds like the tool isn't the right one for this job. I'm thinking knockknocks suggestion of using a file is probably best for my situation.

DKV, I have a router, no table (could make a temporary one), but I really prefer using hand tools.
 
#16 ·
I would use a file too. If you count strokes and stay consistent length for each and brush the file off each time you'll have a nice consistent round over. A ratio that works well is 5 at 45 degrees to one at 22.5 and one at 67.5 gives a nice even curve. So basically cut the corner off with 5 then cut those corners off with one. Then do one or two where you lay the file almost flat and turn 90 degrees by the end of the stroke so you cover the whole curve evenly.
 
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