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Apologies for starting a thread that isn't about a challenging repair, but it's hard to find info on the proper way to cut bevels. So yeah, what's your preferred method?

I beveled a piece today with small sanding blocks and sand paper, but that took way too long. I also tried cutting bevels free-handed on a belt sander, but that didn't go that well either (might be better if I tilt the sander horizontally). I also thought about cutting the bevel on a band saw, then flattening it on the sander, but haven't had a chance to try that yet.

Luthiers make a lot of cleats, so there must be a quick way to cut the bevels on them.

Thanks!

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Sorry, I made the mistake of writing splints and not cleats (I edited it now), and you're write, there are discussions about splints and how to bevel them to make them fit a crack.

However, I'm talking about beveling a cleat (the piece that supports the crack), and I have searched for it multiple times (using google to search this forum as well), but didn't find a discussion about it. Sorry about the confusion, and I'm terribly sorry if there's a thread about beveling cleats, I just never found it.

tell me where as I cant find it either

Ron

Use a very sharp chisel.  A 3/8" or 1/2" will work well. 

It'll take several tries to get the right feel for it, but then it's like rollin' off a log.

http://frets.com/FretsPages/Luthier/Technique/ToolUse/KnifeTechniqu...

Knife, chisel, a few strokes on sandpaper. It all works, its whatever works for you (and what look you are after)

Thanks Jelle! You have no idea how long I was looking for something like that on Frets.com. I should have known to go to Knife Techniques. Thank you!

you're very welcome Eliya. If you are ever looking for something again, try to typ: frets.com (and then your subject) in google. For example frets.com cleats. And then go to "images". It'll save you a lot of time, searching through all the pages on frets.com.

Cheers!

I have a bench hook that's useful for that.  It's a shooting board, planing/chiseling stop and miter box all in one.  The stop is tapered in thickness and there is an accompanying riser block that helps make it one of the most versatile tools in the shop.  

I place the cross patch against the planing stop and use a very sharp chisel to cut the bevel into the spruce or whatever.  I got the idea from a fine woodworking magazine article about 10 years ago.

If you don't want to build a bench hook, simply screwing or clamping a piece of hardwood to your workbench top will serve the same purpose for making cross patches.

Here's that article I mentioned:

http://www.finewoodworking.com/workshop/article/expand-your-workben...

Thanks! I do have a little bench hook. I think I figured out how to use it in the right way for cleats.

Thanks again everyone who helped. I have enough to go on and try to figure out what works best for me.

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