How to Make Octagonal Tapered Legs by Hand

While building a Perch stool during a live broadcast I was asked about making octagonal legs instead of turning them. So here is one way to do it using hand planes that is easy to duplicate and gives you a lot of control over the process.

[@edwong8951]

I love the format/structure of your videos - they're great to work along with. I'm learning a ton! Thank you

[@vh9040]

Thank you for your clear explanations. You are a good teacher.

[@jrlejeune]

I feel very satisfied even though you did all the work! Great job Shannon!!!

[@Jim__K]

I was looking for something like this recently. Thanks for the great video.

[@vanessakitty8867]

Ah, just the video I needed. Thank you for all that you teach us.

[@johnevertsbaird]

I did a similar thing making a canoe paddle to make the shaft although obviously not tapered, it was pretty easy to get to round from an octagon too if you just knock the edges off with a spokeshave and then blend everything toghether

[@FredMcIntyre]

Thanks for the info Shannon!👍👊

[@jasantiagomd]

Thanks Shannon.

[@davidclark9086]

This is a very well made and super informative video. How about a video on how to make that same leg round with no lathe. Better how about new straight-leg rounded without just a hand plane but certainly no lathe.

[@adrianhanson9584]

Looks like a good opportunity to use a tail vice😉

[@RenaissanceWW]

Actually this is a good reason for the tail vise but just don’t get into the trap of planing a bunch without checking your layout lines. Locking the work down can sometimes do that and we blow past lines or create bevels where we want square

[@MultiWarrior63]

Nice job

[@carbonitegamorrean8368]

Looks great but I coulda swore I just saw you do a oct leg in an older vid. I would like to learn how to do the hex/oct (wtvr) hammer handles, they feel much better than big fat ovals.

[@somewhat-32W3R]

I did this to make a mallet handle but kept going until it was rounded, it was surprisingly very fast.

[@Wyrmwood66]

I want to make that but in miniture

[@reforzar]

Nice leg😉

[@jamesreeves9740]

Why do you divide by 2 when your reducing all 4 sides?

[@RenaissanceWW]

Because I'm keeping the taper symmetrical on each face. So to reduce from 1 3/4 down to 1 on 1 face I have to remove equal amounts from both (2) edges. I am reducing all 4 faces but I'm doing it one face at a time.

[@oscaryuan7812]

Hey Shannon. Do you a "how-to-make" for your trusty straight edge? I did a quick search on your site and no dice.

[@RenaissanceWW]

Oscar Yuan nope that is a Hand Tool School project from semester 2

[@timothyorourke895]

how would a 5 jack plane do there

[@RenaissanceWW]

just fine go for it

[@riosmoodie5763]

I bought instructions from woodprix and I builded it very very cheap.

[@luislujan8715]

Rios Moodie built it

[@peterchessell28]

wood butcher.