People use many terms to refer to types of edges, some of which are not that well-known. What is a beveled edge?
A beveled edge is an edge with an angle sharper than 90 degrees. Beveled edges are used to make two objects fit together. For example, floor tiles slide together neatly because they have beveled edges.
In many situations, beveled edges are the best way to create a very strong weld as well.
What is a Beveled Edge?
You can find beveled edges in everything from furniture to wedding rings. People can use sanders, drills, jigsaws, gouges, chisels, files, hand planers, and other tools to create beveled edges. Welders create beveled edges to make it easier to weld two pieces of metal together.
People bevel edges, corners, and ledges to make whatever they are working on look better. You can then further improve the appearance by staining or painting the material. Beveled edges have plenty of both practical and decorative purposes.
How Do You Bevel an Edge?
If you are using something like wood, fiberglass, or laminate, a sander or hand plane is enough to change the edge. This will take time, however, because you have to do it gradually. It depends on what material you are using and what angle you want.
You can also use a router to carve a sharp edge. This can be very precise if you do it right and have the right tool.
Of course, you can’t use an electric sander to carve metal. You will need a metal cutting lathe or facing tool to work with aluminum, brass, or steel. Specialized bevelling shears are sometimes necessary for cutting hard metals.
What Is a Bevel?
A bevel or beveling machine is a hand-powered or mechanical device for cutting materials and creating edges. It is only one of the many tools used to create a beveled edge. Welders often use them.
Drills and Jigsaws
Drills and jigsaws are good tools if you are working with acrylic. A drill with a chamfering bit is particularly effective, but you can also get a good beveled edge with a jigsaw.
For wood, you might use a chisel to bevel an edge. If a chisel is too difficult, try a router.
You can use a gouge to create a rounded edge. After beveling a wooden edge, use sandpaper and water to make it as precise as possible.
Take Your Time
When you are beveling an edge, don’t rush it. It is not very easy to do, especially not if you haven’t created a similar edge before, so you could damage the material. Sometimes, you need to start with a more powerful tool and then do the finishing touches with a file or a sander.
Why is Beveling Important?
Beveling is important for making metal parts fit together and not only for decorative woodworking. You can cut angled grooves into two pieces of metal so that they fit together and can be welded securely. It is more difficult to weld two metal parts together without beveling them, and the weld won’t be as strong.
What is Mechanical Beveling?
A mechanical bevel is a powered rather than hand-cranked device used to cut metal into shape. Mechanical bevels are used by welders to cut metal parts into shape before welding them together.
If someone operates a hand bevel for a whole shift, their work may become less consistent over time. Mechanical bevels are less tiring for their operators to use.
Mechanical bevels also let you get more work done in the same number of hours than hand-cranked bevels. A mechanical bevel also creates precise cuts that look like they have been machined.
Mechanical Bevels and Safety
Mechanical bevels produce metal chips, not hazardous metal dust like a hand bevel does. It is dangerous to breathe in metal dust, and someone might also slip on it.
Use Vegetable Oil Based Lubricants
You should use a lubricant when using bevels to cut metal. You may wear out the parts a few times faster if you cut dry material. Vegetable oil-based lubricants create a good surface finish, do not smell bad when used, and are resistant to heat.
What is Beveled Glass?
Beveled glass is glass with beveled edges. The cuts cause the light to shimmer when it goes through the glass, creating a pretty visual effect.
The beveled glass is still transparent. You may be able to see the shimmering effect from either side. People use beveled glass for windows, door windows, mirrors, and shelf edges.
Beveled Edges in Wedding Rings
Beveled wedding rings have three angular faces. This is different from most wedding rings, which have a round outer surface and no angles. A bevel can make a wedding band stand out.
Key Takeaways to Beveled Edges
A beveled edge is an edge with an angle of sharper than 90 degrees. They are used in construction, furniture, and much more.
People use many different tools to create beveled edges. Chisels, saws, planers, routers, and gouges are all used. For metal, you need a lathe or special beveling shears for harder metals.
Beveling often has a decorative rather than a practical purpose. You can add to the decoration by painting or staining a beveled edge.
Being slow and precise is key when beveling an edge. If you do it too fast, it might not turn out right. You might use sandpaper to polish the edge after using another tool to create it.
If you are working with acrylic, try a drill with the right bit or a jigsaw.
