4 Methods for How to Round Wood Edges Without a Router

Most woodworkers like to use a router to round wood edges because it’s much easier. It’s a handy tool, but you might not have one available. They can get expensive, and it might not be something you can justify buying if you round edges infrequently.

Therefore, you may want to learn how to round wood edges without using a router. This is often the best solution because you’re not spending tons of money.

Today, you can learn about four methods to round wood edges without having to use a router:

Method One – Use a Hand Plane

If you need to round a lot of edges, it’s best to use a hand plane. This tool is highly effective in removing most wood. The great thing here is that you don’t need a lot of practice to get the hang of it, and the process is straightforward.

Make sure to start with your hand plane at 45 degrees to your edge. Then, you can slide it along the full length of the wood. However, you must change the tilt to make facets resembling a rounded edge.

Continue using the hand plane until you’ve got the right effect. Then, you may switch to sandpaper to finish the job.

Method Two – Use a Chisel

You can also use a chisel to round wood edges. Just be careful because this is an aggressive method and isn’t as easy. Though it’s effective, you do require some practice to do it right.

Before you begin using a chisel to round the corners of wood furniture, you should ensure that your tool is sharp. Remember, it’s harder to use a chisel than the hand plane.

First-timers might find it hard to handle the chisel correctly. Take your time to learn how to hold and use the tool. You can do it, but it takes a bit longer.

It’s better to practice on some scrap wood to get the hang of it. As you go along, don’t use a lot of pressure when you strike the chisel. That could remove too much or crack the wood. Then, when you’ve got the basic shape, finish it with some sandpaper.

Method Three – Use a Wood File

If you prefer a medium-strength way to round edges, a wood file is a great choice. It’s less aggressive than chisels and hand planes but quicker than sandpaper.

Typically, a wood file works well when you wish to have a smaller radius on the wooden piece and works like sandpaper. If you can use sandpaper, this tool shouldn’t be a problem.

You’re ultimately grinding the edges down. Just rub your wood file against the piece where you want it to be rounded. As you keep doing this, you see it’s rounding off slowly.

Continue rubbing the wood with the wood file until you achieve the right size. When you’re there, go over it again with light pressure to smooth it out and remove the tool marks. From there, you should use sandpaper to finish.

Method Four – Use Sandpaper

The sandpaper technique is the easiest option for rounded wooden edges. However, it doesn’t work well if you have tons of edging to do or deep edges. Typically, it works best when your goal is to break the sharpness of your edges.

You may also use a sanding block instead of sandpaper, but you must apply more pressure to it. Then, rub your sanding block along the edges, ending at a 45-degree angle. When you’re close to your preferred facet, use your sandpaper and go over it gently.

What’s great here is your hands bend the sandpaper to contour it for the rounded shape you want.

If you only have sandpaper and a lot of edges to round, you may consider a power sander. It can make the work that much faster and easier than doing it all by hand.

Still, if you’re using a power tool, it’s easy to remove too much of the edge. Be very careful and mindful about how you want the piece to look when you’re done. This option takes some skill and practice because the tool moves so quickly. Just make sure you’re not applying more pressure than necessary and take things slowly.

Conclusion

There’s no perfect way to round your wood edges without a router. However, these methods get the job done and come with varying degrees of difficulty.

With that, you can start your woodworking business or enjoy it as a hobby without having to spend a lot on power tools. Put more love into the piece with some regular sandpaper, or try any of the methods listed here.