My boss told me to always use a 1/4 inch roundover bit on drawer fronts

He said it was the only way to get a comfortable feel, so I did it on a big built-in job for a client in Tacoma. After a year, the edges on the maple drawers are already showing wear in high-touch spots, and the client mentioned it. Should I have stuck with a smaller radius or maybe even a chamfer instead?

3 comments

3 Comments

uma_webb2821d ago

Ever have a boss who's stuck on one method? Mine was the same... I switched to a tiny chamfer years ago after seeing roundovers wear down on painted cabinets. That sharp edge just lasts longer, especially on hard maple. The client might not see the difference at first, but they notice when it doesn't chip. A 1/8 inch round is okay, but I just don't trust them for heavy use anymore.

the_phoenix4d ago

See, I've had the total opposite happen. A chamfer on painted maple in a busy kitchen just felt like a chip magnet to me (maybe I did it wrong, ha). I still like a small roundover there, @uma_webb28. It seems to take the hit better without that crisp corner to catch.

adam_nguyen720d ago

Yeah, that "sharp edge just lasts longer" thing is so true. I mean, I learned the hard way trying to round over everything on a bookshelf I made. It looked soft and nice for about five minutes before it started looking sad and dented. Maybe it's just me but I get too into the look of a thing and forget it actually has to live in a house.