Tombstone Raised Panel by Hand

[jarossin1527]

I have raised panels by hand before and was going to try and make a tombstone raised panel by hand (for a spice box).  Anyone know a good technique?  I've made these before with power tools.  My thoughts were to use a rasps to hog away the wood around the arch, then use a chisel or scrapper to smooth.  I've seen Lonie Birds article in FWW on how to cut into the corner, and have used this technique.

Thanks

Joe

[Bob Rozaieski]

I just carve them down. I plane rabbets on the straight edges, then chisel flat down to the same depth around the arch, keeping everything flat to define the field. Then I plane the bevel on the straight sections, then again, pare the arch area with a chisel down to a gauged line to define the bevel on the arch. Finally, I clean up the arch area with a scraper.

Here's a multi-part writeup for a practice door I did in 2008 for a built-in cupboard I made. This wasn't the final door that actually went into the cupboard, just a practice piece in pine. But the steps I used on the real door were the same.
Designing the Doors:
http://logancabinetshoppe.com/blog/2008/12/tombstone-raised-panel-door-design-part-2/

Door Frame Part 1:
http://logancabinetshoppe.com/blog/2008/12/tombstone-raised-panel-door-frame-part-1/

Door Frame Part 2:
http://logancabinetshoppe.com/blog/2008/12/tombstone-raised-panel-door-frame-part-2/

Door Panel:
http://logancabinetshoppe.com/blog/2008/12/tombstone-raised-panel/

Roy Underhill also did two episodes on making tombstone raised panel doors in 2009.
Part 1: http://www.pbs.org/woodwrightsshop/video/2900/2912.html
Part 2: http://www.pbs.org/woodwrightsshop/video/2900/2913.html

[klkirkman]

Bob,

I found the Roy Underhill videos for which you provided links to be very informative. I tend to be a little wary of his stuff because it ranges all over the ballpark in sophistication from chopping things with hatchets to cabinet making, and his PBS TV shows used to seem a little rushed,  but I think his demonstration was really well done and informative.

Thanks,


Karl

[Tom M]

When I was Roy's host for a lecture and workshop for my local club, he told me the whole show is recorded in one take. Press the record button and 25 minutes later the show is done. No wonder he seems rushed!

Tom

[jarossin1527]

Thanks for the input.

Joe