Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
Serpentine Drawer Fronts Cock Bead
Doug Reynolds
Making progress on my two Federal style end tables with serpentine drawer fronts. About ready to tackle the cock beading.
What is the best way to serpentine profile the cock beading and round it over? I could clamp in place and trace the profile which I could almost remove with the bandsaw then, install the cock beading and, using a purpose made scraper, scrape to final shape and add the roundover.
What do you suggest?
TIA, Doug
Re: Serpentine Drawer Fronts Cock Bead
William Duffield
Almost. However, any bumps or grooves left by the bandsaw will be telegraphed by the scratch beader. After you bandsaw, file or spokeshave to the line or route with a pattern bit to the same pattern you used for the drawer front. Note that the cock bead is usually left a little proud of the face of the drawer, to protect the edge of the veneer. But, since the reveal is so small compared to the curve of the serpentine, you can use the same pattern. Also, use a scratch beader with a very short, or no, fence. The type promoted, given away and sold by Garrett Hack works very well for this application.
https://www.finewoodworking.com/2008/07/31/how-to-make-a-scratch-stock
Re: Serpentine Drawer Fronts Cock Bead
Dick Coers
scratch stock is going to be tedious due to all the change in grain direction from the serpentine cut. I'd use a router and template to do the round over before gluing it on.
What I do
Bill Tindall, E.Tn.
I am not sure I am up to describing the whole cockbeading process other than to say it is easy once you have been shown. Stop by and I will show you.
Cut the bead board oversized. Temporarily install using locating brads as usual.
Then trace the profile offset by the diameter of the bead (1/8" is about right). Remove the strip and saw and plane and spoke shave to the line.
I find it easier to mount the scraper and drag the strip across it.