The video “Mind-Bending Trick – Twist Wood Without Bending It!” is by Stumpy Nubs (James Hamilton). In this tutorial, James demonstrates a clever technique for creating curvy wooden legs for furniture without bending the wood itself.
Creating the Curvy Leg
To kick things off, James suggests starting with a leg blank that has equal thickness to its width. A great way to practice this technique is by gluing a couple of 2x4s together. Once you have your blank, it’s time to draw your desired shape. You can go wild with curves, but remember to stay within the confines of the blank’s width, keeping a safe distance from the edges and corners.
All the rough shaping is done using a bandsaw, preferably equipped with a wide blade. James emphasizes using the fence for cutting the straight portion at the top, which is crucial for connecting the leg later. The remaining shape should be cut freehand. When making cuts, aim for smoothness and avoid sharp corrections if you drift away from your line. Gradual curves are key!
Template Creation and Second Cuts
After finishing the first cut, trace the resulting shape onto a piece of paper or cardboard to create a template. Reassemble the two halves of the blank and hold them together with tape. Note how the templates align with the original cut, keeping that orientation. Then, roll the blank 90° to the right and trace the template on that face.
Again, cut smooth curves, as any rough sawing will lead to a rough outer surface and more sanding later. Once the second cut is complete, remove the tape and separate the legs into two halves. Each half will consist of two pieces. Reverse the two pieces in each half and sandwich them together to form your leg. James recommends numbering the tops to keep track of orientation during the gluing process.
Experimenting with Shapes
Before gluing the halves together, James suggests an interesting experiment. Instead of using a template for identical curves, try cutting two different free forms. For instance, he shows a scrap piece of wood where the first curve is a “Hollow hump Hollow,” while the second cut is “hump Hollow hump.” The results can be strikingly different.
Through experimentation, you can discover unique designs. Don’t hesitate to try this technique on smaller pieces of wood, as they help visualize the process and potential outcomes.
Safety Upgrade for Table Saw Users
While the leg is drying, James introduces an innovative safety tool—the Grabber Pro. This affordable device enhances the safety of using a table saw. It features grippy pads that control both halves of a workpiece during cutting, significantly reducing the chances of kickback.
The angled handle encourages downward pressure on the table and against the fence, making the cutting process safer. James highlights that the Grabber Pro can even be used for longer rips and adjusts to cut strips as narrow as an eighth of an inch without cutting into the block.
For those who often work without a blade guard, the Grabber Pro serves as a significant safety upgrade. It’s versatile enough to be used on router tables, jointers, and band saws, ensuring you get a lot of use from your investment.
Final Thoughts
James encourages everyone to give this wood twisting technique a try. It’s surprisingly easy and can lead to some impressive designs. Plus, showing off your creations might just stump your friends—can they figure out how you did it?