Making radiused corners.

[jeff0520]

Does anyone have this set? http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=5365&site=ROCKLER
If so, what do you think of it? $26.00 seems a little steep to me for plastic templates, but on the other hand, I need to make wooden clamp rings for my windows, and they need to be right. Comments would be appreciated

[doug hodder]

The problem with this tool is: Are you sure that your radius for your specific window will be there? Can't you just trace the window inner rim to get the exact radius? I have several cheap compasses, the old type that held a pencil...also use any can in the garage for a radius. You're right...for as much as you'd use it...that's too much to draw a quarter circle. Doug

[halfdome, Danny]

Rockler and Woodcraft are good at producing nonsense products that wouldn't be needed if one just used common sense like Doug mentioned.
I saw on the same page Cabinetmakers Pencils I've always used any ole' pencil laying around.
Save your money and use a compass, a can or a string with a nail on one end and a pencil on the other.
I have good laugh at all the silly products they offer when I receive one of their flyer's or catalogs.
They seem to have someone going through Cabinet shop jig piles re-inventing old jigs in plastic etc.
Danny

[les45]

I agree with the others, use an old can or a compass.
FWIW - I opened the link in Jeff's original post and now I get their advertising for those same templates popping up on all my web forums and Facebook. I guess big brother has taken over the internet.

[Oldragbaggers]

I've been known to use cans, plates, saucers, bottles, coins, jars....you get the idea. Just about anything round can be used as a radius. Just find something the size you're looking for that you already have and keep your hard earned cash in your pocket.

[GerryS]

My saber saw has an arm that lines up with the cutting blade the other has a tack that holds it centered in place.. I can cut a circle with it accurately up to 23 or so inches in diameter. I've used this more than once....the last time to cut a hole in a patio table for my Kamodo grill. Worked like a champ!

[Oldragbaggers]

My saber saw has an arm that lines up with the cutting blade the other has a tack that holds it centered in place.. I can cut a circle with it accurately up to 23 or so inches in diameter. I've used this more than once....the last time to cut a hole in a patio table for my Kamodo grill. Worked like a champ!

I can't get it in my mind of what you're talking about, Gerry. Would love to see a picture!!

[GerryS]

http://www.amazon.com/Festool-490118-Ci ... pd_cp_hi_2

You might be able to make a sled a standard saber saw would ride in. The Festool is an amazing tool if you have a budget for it. I can cut a inch and a half thick board keeping 90 degrees throughout the entire cut with a near finish ready edge. The down side is it isn't cheap...Like their entire lineup

[bdosborn]

A paint can was the perfect radius for my windows. YMMV...



Bruce

[jeff0520]

Ok, Makes good sense. Sometimes it's hard to tell at first glance when some nifty tool makes a real difference, and when it is just a waste. thanks for the input y'all

[Roly Nelson]

Keep your money, invest in a compass, the carpenter's best friend. I use them all of the time for many arcs, round corners, laying out equal spacing of screws and the sharp point is perfect for killing spiders...........no, not really.
Roly Wood is good, just as me.

[GerryS]

Time is money...I've seen more and more "luxury" tools on job sites...the track saw can break sown sheet foods safer and faster than a panel saw, and you get zero tear out, or you can take 1/16 off the bottom of a door (again, no tear out) in just a few moments. All while collecting 90% of the dust....had Norm used that good of dust collection, maybe he's still be retired but he might not have COPD.

I've even seen tommy silva on "this old house" with a stack of systainers (festool transport boxes) in the background...not as a sponsored tool like porter cable or dewalt but what was being used

Ive got a couple tools from them. Yes, expensive. But when time is money while you are using a compass to set your layout lines, ill have finished the cut with a finish ready edge and have moved on to my next step before you for out your saw. Better...faster...smarter. A system that works together.

For the one project tool yeah, it's overkill. Bit if you plan on using them regularly, there isn't a comparison.