When specifying a 1/2" chamfer of 45 deg., where is the 1/2" measured?
Imagining the right triangle of wood that is removed, is it measured at the
long side of the triangle (hypotenuse), or one of the other shorter(equal)
sides? TY

"Dennis" wrote in message
When specifying a 1/2" chamfer of 45 deg., where is the 1/2" measured?

The face of the chamfer.

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The right angles.

UA100

Not unless established woodworking convention is opposite from engineering
and metalworking (machining). A 1/2" x 45 deg chamfer would have two short
legs of 1/2 inch each and a face width (hypotenuse) of (1.414)x(1/2)= .707
inch.

David Merrill

"Swingman" wrote in message
...

The face of the chamfer.

"David Merrill" wrote in message

Not unless established woodworking convention is opposite from engineering
and metalworking (machining). A 1/2" x 45 deg chamfer would have two
short
legs of 1/2 inch each and a face width (hypotenuse) of (1.414)x(1/2)= .707
inch.

A "chamfer" is often refered to as a "bevel" in woodworking, "bevel" being
one of the accepted definitions of "chamfer".

In woodworking, if a client asks you for a 1/2" 45 degree chamfer on a table
leg, you'd best measure the face. Put a 1/2" 45 degree chamfer on a 3" X 3"
table leg with your engineering formula and you would not have a leg left to
stand on.

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Last update: 10/04/04

"David Merrill" wrote in message
news:Fmgfd.314893$D%.64189@attbi_s51...
Not unless established woodworking convention is opposite from engineering
and metalworking (machining). A 1/2" x 45 deg chamfer would have two
short
legs of 1/2 inch each and a face width (hypotenuse) of (1.414)x(1/2)= .707
inch.

Using a CAD program, AutoCAD in particular, the chamfer command requires 2
distances, the resulting chamfer is not a part of the formula.

When specifying a 1/2" chamfer of 45 deg., where is the 1/2" measured?
Imagining the right triangle of wood that is removed, is it measured at the
long side of the triangle (hypotenuse), or one of the other shorter(equal)
sides? TY


I agree with Swingman, the face of the chamfer measures to be 1/2". I did my 1st one
in class tonight, it will translate to a blade depth* of 3/8" from the router's face plate/
\table to the top of the blade. Then you get your 1/2" - 45º bevel face, just to be
"straightforward" about it.

Alex

Swingman wrote:
A "chamfer" is often refered to as a "bevel" in woodworking, "bevel" being
one of the accepted definitions of "chamfer".

Not really true. A chamfer is always 45 degrees. A bevel
varies.

While all chamfers may be a bevel, not all bevels are
chamfers.

In woodworking, if a client asks you for a 1/2" 45 degree chamfer on a table
leg, you'd best measure the face. Put a 1/2" 45 degree chamfer on a 3" X 3"
table leg with your engineering formula and you would not have a leg left to
stand on.

First, saying "45 degree" chamfer is redundant (see above).

A 1/2" chamfer on a 3" face would leave 2" of "flat".

It's been that way since Grandpa taught it to me and I'm
fairly certain he didn't make it up.

UA100

Swingman wrote:


In woodworking, if a client asks you for a 1/2" 45 degree chamfer on a table
leg, you'd best measure the face.

Since there appears to be some debate, even amongst
engineers and woodworkers, it would appear that if a client
(who may have their own, possibly different assumptions)
asked for a 1/2" 45 degree chamfer, you'd better ask
them EXPLICITLY what they mean (with diagrams where
neccessary).

BugBear

On Mon, 25 Oct 2004 23:54:13 GMT, "David Merrill"
wrote:

Not unless established woodworking convention is opposite from engineering
and metalworking (machining).

Which is usually is. Woodworking chamfers are the face measurement,
because they're cut by hand in repeated passes, and you stop when
you've made the face to the right size. If we had more milling
machines and fewer spokeshaves, we'd probably do it the other way.

--
Smert' spamionam

"Unisaw A100" wrote in message
...
Swingman wrote:
A "chamfer" is often refered to as a "bevel" in woodworking, "bevel"
being
one of the accepted definitions of "chamfer".

Not really true. A chamfer is always 45 degrees. A bevel
varies.

Not really true. Check any dictionary/encyclopedia for a definition of
"chamfer".

http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionar...mfer&x=14&y=16

A classic definition is two surfaces meeting at an angle different than 90
degrees. A "chamfered groove" in a column is not necessarily at 45 degrees.

While all chamfers may be a bevel, not all bevels are
chamfers.

In woodworking, if a client asks you for a 1/2" 45 degree chamfer on a
table
leg, you'd best measure the face. Put a 1/2" 45 degree chamfer on a 3" X
3"
table leg with your engineering formula and you would not have a leg left
to
stand on.

First, saying "45 degree" chamfer is redundant (see above).

See above

A 1/2" chamfer on a 3" face would leave 2" of "flat".

It's been that way since Grandpa taught it to me and I'm
fairly certain he didn't make it up.

And I learned it the other way ... from a different Grandpa, who I'm fairly
certain didn't make it up either. Not to mention that working in wood with
architects, it's been a face measurement more often than not ... not that I
would use the breed as a definitive reference on most anything to do with
woodworking.

Nonetheless, next time an someone specs a chamfered edge on a rail, you'd do
well to get a clarification.

--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 10/04/04

When I learned, a bevel went all the way between the two faces, a chamfer,
less. Of course, I also considered a 1/2 chamfer to be 1/2" wide, whereas
an instruction to chamfer back 1/2" would have been .707 .

"Swingman" wrote in message
...
"Unisaw A100" wrote in message
...
Swingman wrote:
A "chamfer" is often refered to as a "bevel" in woodworking, "bevel"
being
one of the accepted definitions of "chamfer".

Not really true. A chamfer is always 45 degrees. A bevel
varies.

Not really true. Check any dictionary/encyclopedia for a definition of
"chamfer".

http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionar...mfer&x=14&y=16

A classic definition is two surfaces meeting at an angle different than 90
degrees. A "chamfered groove" in a column is not necessarily at 45
degrees.

While all chamfers may be a bevel, not all bevels are
chamfers.

In woodworking, if a client asks you for a 1/2" 45 degree chamfer on a
table
leg, you'd best measure the face. Put a 1/2" 45 degree chamfer on a 3"
X
3"
table leg with your engineering formula and you would not have a leg
left
to
stand on.

First, saying "45 degree" chamfer is redundant (see above).

See above

A 1/2" chamfer on a 3" face would leave 2" of "flat".

It's been that way since Grandpa taught it to me and I'm
fairly certain he didn't make it up.

And I learned it the other way ... from a different Grandpa, who I'm
fairly
certain didn't make it up either. Not to mention that working in wood with
architects, it's been a face measurement more often than not ... not that
I
would use the breed as a definitive reference on most anything to do with
woodworking.

Nonetheless, next time an someone specs a chamfered edge on a rail, you'd
do
well to get a clarification.

--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 10/04/04

"bugbear" wrote in message
Swingman wrote:


In woodworking, if a client asks you for a 1/2" 45 degree chamfer on a
table
leg, you'd best measure the face.

Since there appears to be some debate, even amongst
engineers and woodworkers, it would appear that if a client
(who may have their own, possibly different assumptions)
asked for a 1/2" 45 degree chamfer, you'd better ask
them EXPLICITLY what they mean (with diagrams where
neccessary).

And even that may not be your salvation, particularly if that "client" is an
architect, or female, or both. I see a radius spec'ed quite frequently on
trim details and almost always prepare for a battle when said radius is seen
for the first time, in context, in its surroundings, and precisely as drawn.

That's where the phrase "executed per plan" becomes the final word on the
subject, the pouting bottom lip notwithstanding.

--
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Last update: 10/04/04

"George" wrote in message
When I learned, a bevel went all the way between the two faces, a chamfer,
less. Of course, I also considered a 1/2 chamfer to be 1/2" wide,
whereas
an instruction to chamfer back 1/2" would have been .707 .

Precisely. If you're lucky, the trim detail sheet will usually show the
desired results.

--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 10/04/04

Andy Dingley wrote in message . ..
On Mon, 25 Oct 2004 23:54:13 GMT, "David Merrill"
wrote:

Not unless established woodworking convention is opposite from engineering
and metalworking (machining).

Which is usually is. Woodworking chamfers are the face measurement,
because they're cut by hand in repeated passes, and you stop when
you've made the face to the right size. If we had more milling
machines and fewer spokeshaves, we'd probably do it the other way.

If I were making a "1/2 inch chamfer" by hand, I would start by
drawing a line 1/2" in from the edge of the board on the two adjacent
sides. I would then cut away with the spokeshave until I reached both
lines. As long as the surface was flat, that would give me a 45 degree
chamfer. Thus my answer to the OP is that the 1/2" is the measurement
of the legs of the triangle that intersect at 90 degrees. Note that is
only MY answer, I in no way assume that it is THE correct answer.

Dave Hall

On 26 Oct 2004 10:39:50 -0700, (David Hall)
wrote:

If I were making a "1/2 inch chamfer" by hand,

If I marked out before making a chamfer (even a lambs tongue) other
timber framers would laugh at me !

Chamfers belong to that great tradition of hand work. I know people
who even frown at the use of a shave to cut them, rather than a bare
drawknife. Look at Gimson or Barnsley work - those stopped chamfers
right into the corners of frames, all perfectly placed, and with the
edges of the taper pointing exactly into the stop of the facing
chamfer. You can't get accuracy like that by marking it and trying to
cut to a line, it has to flow spontaneously from the tool.

If I were making a "1/2 inch chamfer" by hand,

If I marked out before making a chamfer (even a lambs tongue) other
timber framers would laugh at me !

Chamfers belong to that great tradition of hand work. I know people
who even frown at the use of a shave to cut them, rather than a bare
drawknife. Look at Gimson or Barnsley work - those stopped chamfers
right into the corners of frames, all perfectly placed, and with the
edges of the taper pointing exactly into the stop of the facing
chamfer. You can't get accuracy like that by marking it and trying to
cut to a line, it has to flow spontaneously from the tool.

Oh, the Zen of chamfering. I guess I am just an unwashed hobbyist - the "force"
just isn't with me yet.

Dave Hall

Oh, the Zen of chamfering. I guess I am just an unwashed hobbyist - the "force"
just isn't with me yet.


BUWAAHAHAHAHAAAAaaaaaa! Exactly.

Alex