TESTED: Kreg corner rounding guide set
Examples of corner shapes achieved with the guide.
Review and photos: Raf Nathan
A perfectly formed detail makes a big difference to how we perceive it compared to one that is ‘almost there’. Perfect corners, edges and chamfers adds to the usually imperceptible appeal of a piece. You can of course saw and shape a corner to a perfect radius, but to get it just right takes time. A quick and consistent way is to use a jig like this Kreg guide.
The guide consists of a large polymer base, 12.5mm thick with a non-slip sole and large handle. Various profiles are clipped securely into one corner of the base. Under the base are four machined stops that rest on the edges of the workpiece.
Above left: General view of the base and various included profiles.
Above right: The individual profiles are securely clipped onto the base.
A hand-held or bench-mounted router with a profile cutter is used to form the corner shape with the router bearing running against the guide profile. For cutter selection, a bearing mounted to the base is for hand-held use while a bearing at the top is for router-table use. I trialled it with a 1/4" cordless router with good results, but you can use larger routers held held or table mounted.
The guides are easy and simple to use. Select the profile you want and clip it on to the base then position and push down, or as is my preference, clamp the guide onto the corner to be routed and then bring the router in to make the cut.
Above left: The profiles are cleverly tapered to give a neat transition from the corner to the straight edges.
Above right: Push guides firmly down onto the base or clamp to a bench.
There are five radius profiles at 1/4",1/2",1", 1-1/2"and 2" which I found to be a pretty good range. There are also three chamfer profiles at 1/2", 1" and 2" although these are not a shape I use a lot.
The corner profiles are very well designed as they have a slight taper that helps blend the profile you are cutting into the straight edge. It’s always better to follow the grain when cutting a corner. If you go against the grain there is a risk of tear-out if you remove too much wood too quickly. Alternatively, if possible, flip the workpiece to always follow the grain.
I found this product easy to use and consistently gave a good result, and the price is quite reasonable. It even comes with a wall-mounted holder to store the various profiles.
Available from www.carbatec.com.au at this link
Raf Nathan @treeman777 is a Brisbane based woodworker and frequent contributor to Wood Review magazine.