How to Cut Curves in Wood by Hand

How to Cut Curves in Wood by Hand

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If you are performing any kind of carpentry, you need to have the right tools for the job. Of course, power tools and motorized saws will make quick work out of any project. That said, you might not have any power saws on hand, or have any at all.

Moreover, some people just like following more traditional woodworking methods, which in this case means using hand tools. Cutting curves in wood by hand is more than possible, but it requires specific tools and techniques. Let’s figure out how to do so now.

What Type of Handsaw Is the Best for Cutting Curves in Wood?

What is important to note here is that there are a few different types of hand saws that can be used for cutting curves in wood. Exactly which of the various saws you use will depend on the purpose at hand. What it really comes down to is how large the curve is that you need to make.

There are larger hand saws with big blades that have the ability to cut large and relaxed curves. There are also much small and narrower hand saws that are ideal for cutting much smaller, narrower, and tighter curves.

1. Bow Saw

Bow Saw First off, we have the bow saw. The bow saw is a fairly large saw that features a blade in the bottom, combined with a long and bowed handle that runs along the top side of the blade. The blade width may be between 3/8- and 1/2-inch, with a pitch of seven to 10 ppi. The blade of a bow saw is generally between 18 and 24 inches long.

These bow saws can cut large curves into large wood stock. They are best used for wood between 1 and 3 inches in thickness. The bow saw is not the best for tight curves but will work well for large curves.

2. Turning Saw

The next type of saw that can be used to cut curves in wood by hand is the turning saw. This is a smaller saw than the bow saw. The turning saw usually has a blade between 1/8- and 1/4-inch in width, thus making it quite narrow, along with a pitch of 10 to 22 ppi. The blade of the turning saw is usually 12 inches in length.

The turning saw is ideal for cutting very tight and narrow curves. The long blade allows for very fast cutting. It also allows sawdust to be quickly cleared out of the way when creating longer or sweeping curves. The turning saw is ideal for use in wood stock up to 1 inch in thickness.

3. Coping Saws and Fret Saws

Fret Saw Yes, these are two different types of saws, technically speaking. However, they are extremely similar in terms of functionality, so we are grouping them together. Coping and fret saws both have blades that are usually about 6 inches in length. In terms of the width, both of these saw types have blades that start from 1/8-inch and can be much smaller.

These types of saws are ideal for making very small and tight curves and are often used during the curve refining process. Keep in mind that due to the thin and fragile nature of the blades, they do break fairly often, so get extras.

How to Cut Curves in Wood by Hand

Now that you know which types of saws can be used for this task, we can start talking about how to cut curves in wood by hand. Now, cutting tight and narrow curves is a longer and harder process that involves more tools than cutting large and sweeping curves.

Therefore, to ensure that we help as many people as possible, this guide is for cutting tight and narrow curves. Let’s get started.

Step 1: Measure and Mark the Cut

The first step in this process is of course to get all of the measuring and marking out of the way.

Use a ruler, a T-square, a compass, and any other measuring tools that you need, and a pencil, to mark the curve or curves that you wish to cut in the following steps. Make sure to be as accurate as humanly possible.

Mark the Curve on the Wooden Workpiece

Step 2: Start the Initial Curve

OK, so you cannot start the final cut of the curve until you have cut out the rough profile of the curves. This needs to be done in at least two steps.

You first need to saw away the material that surrounds your curves as much as you can. Depending on the thickness of the wood stock, you will want to use either a bow saw or a turning saw for this task. Hold the bow saw or the turning saw at a 45-degree angle to the wood stock, start the cut with a downward stroke, and cut out the rough profile of the curves that you will refine in the following step.

Remember, cutting curves with handsaws works best when you only do the curve on the downward stroke, not the upward stroke. Once the rough profile of the curve has been cut out, you can move on to the next step.

Step 3: Refining the Curve

Now you can use either the fret saw or the coping saw to refine the curve. If the curves you are cutting aren’t too tight, you can always continue to use the turning saw. Here, you want to cut out the curve as close to the lines that you marked in the first step as possible.

Make sure to use long and sweeping strokes, and only apply sideward pressure to cut the curve on the downward stroke. For very tight curves, you want the saw blade to be nearly vertical (perpendicular to the piece being cut). Following these tips, you can cut out the curve.

Step 4: Sand it Down

You might not have been able to cut a perfect curve right on the lines you marked. Even if you did, the cut will probably be a bit rough. Use some basic sandpaper to refine everything and smooth out the curve.

Sanding Block

Mistakes to Avoid, Tips & Tricks

Lastly, here are some more things to keep in mind to make the process smoother:

  • Only turn the blade to make a curve when you are performing the downward cutting stroke
  • Make sure to match the width of the saw blade to the tightness of the curve being cut
  • Keep in mind that long, slow, and sweeping strokes cut the fastest
  • Remember that the teeth of the saw should do most of the work – don’t apply too much pressure to the blade, or else it will veer off course.

Summary

There you have it folks, everything you need to know about cutting curves in wood using a handsaw. As you can see, as long as you have the right tool for the job, it’s not overly difficult.