A Beading Tool
Alan Young
>I am working on a coffee table.
I glued up this apron before thinking through all the carving details that I would want-including a bead along the under side. I checked out purchasing a scratch tool but decided to make one. My prototype was made from a broom pole- really ugly but it sort of worked. I decided on modifications needed and then made a second from aluminum with oak handles.
I cut a slot in the aluminum to insert the cutter. But the rod I used was too slim(3/8") and it would bend when I tightened the set screw. So I attached a 1/4" brass bar to the back side. This makes it stiff enough when I tighten the set screw.
Here is the front:
The vertical aluminum blocks adjust for the thickness of the work piece. Here is the back:
I tried the tool out on a hard maple bench top.
Looks pretty good on the hard maple.
The mahogany on my coffee table should be a breeze!
-Alan
