Even though I don't have a lathe, I'm recklessly considering building a project with fluted columns, which I've never done before.
All the articles I've seen about how to build fluted columns seem to involve leaving the turned round work piece on the lathe and then building a carriage that slides along the lathe bed and holds an electric router to cut the flute.
I could probably borrow a lathe to turn the columns round, but I'm wondering if anyone has a suggestion about how I could cut the flutes at the workbench?
I'm thinking I could clamp the turn columned between dogs on the work bench and then build some kind of fences/guides on either side of the workpiece that would keep the router bit at the appropriate height and also cutting a straight line -- does that make sense? Has anyone seen plans/descriptions of some kind of jig for doing this?
I don't think it would be practical to try and cut the flutes freehand with a gouge because I don't think I have the talent to keep them straight. How did pre-industrial woodworkers do this? Did it always require some kind of lathe or were they ever cut freehand?
I appreciate any advice, suggestions information. Thanks in advance,
All the best,Mike