Q: Frech style table

the table i am sitting at looks almost the same, the edge is just simulated by a half round cove routed at a certain distance from the edge.
probably made using templates and a copying ring on the router.

Here’s my guess.

http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=32679&cat=1,41182

-- Andy -- Old Chinese proverb say: If you think something can't be done, don't interrupt man who is doing it.

Complicated to do it with a router and a little easy to mess up unless you want
to make an elaborate jig. If you had a overarm router it would be easy, but
you probably don’t.

Traditionally it’s done with a very simple hand-held tool called a scratch
beader or scratch stock. The tool is really easy to make yourself but
you can get versions through Veritas:
http://www.veritastools.com/products/Page.aspx?p=199

... and Lee Nielsen makes one too.

-- http://lawoodworking.com

Or maybe this:

http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=62030&cat=1,41182

The only hard bit is the point right in the middle of the long rail. You might have to carefully chisel that bit and blend it in with a bit of sandpaper.

-- Andy -- Old Chinese proverb say: If you think something can't be done, don't interrupt man who is doing it.

Nice work Loren and Brit on your explanation on this detail. Maraziukas the Lee Valley Veritas web site is a great source of information along with all the specialty tool for all kinds of woodworking situation. If I were you I’d bookmark it for future use. Good luck on your table….BC

Thanks a lot guys for yours suggestions. I didn’t know that there were such amazing tools. There’s one more problem, where to find this tool in Europe for a reasonable price :)

And one more question: does this tool cut well in hardwood, such as oak?

-- Maraziukas, Lithuania, http://www.facebook.com/MMwoodwoking

I’ve put together a collection of links for you which I hope you’ll find useful. This first collection of links is about making and using a scratch stock:

To answer your question as to whether it will work well in hardwood such as oak. The answer is yes, you can use a scratch stock in hardwood, infact it works better than softwood. Oak isn’t the easiest wood to scratch, but it can certainly be done. If the wood has a high moisture content then that will help too as it kind of lubricates the blade when cutting. Practice on an offcut first to get a feel for the right angle and amount of pressure. Here is a link to Peter Follansbee’s blog where he talks about making and using a scratch stock and he works mainly in oak:

And if all of that doesn’t inspire you to make your own :-), here’s a review of the Veritas beading tool:

... and you can purchase both of the Veritas beading tools from these two companies based in England. Here’s the links:

Please note: you need to scroll down the page on the second link to see the beading tool.*

http://www.axminster.co.uk/veritas-veritas-beading-tool-prod22859/
http://www.classichandtools.com/acatalog/Special-Purpose-Planes-by-Veritas.html

-- Andy -- Old Chinese proverb say: If you think something can't be done, don't interrupt man who is doing it.

A lot of interesting information here! Thanks Brit for all the links.

-- "Checking for square? What madness is this! The cabinet is square because I will it to be so!" Jeremy Greiner LJ Topic#20953 2011 Feb 2

Wow, that’s kind of a big job all this set of suggestions! Thanks a lot! I’m definitely going to make my own, at least I will try to :) And the links are really very useful, I feel like I should learn more about googling :)) I really appreciate your help! Good luck to you!

-- Maraziukas, Lithuania, http://www.facebook.com/MMwoodwoking