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StaveCalc — Table Base Stave Calculator
HIDDEN LIFE DESIGNS
Welcome to the Stave Calculator
This tool calculates the exact cut angles for every board (stave) needed to build a tapered oval, round, rectangular, or diamond-shaped table base from flat lumber — no templates, no trial and error.
Set your base dimensions, stave count, and stock thickness. The cut list gives you every bevel, rip, and end-cut angle ready for the shop floor.
⚙ INPUTS▾
Shape Mode
Shape type
Bottom Shape (Floor)▾
ovalsquare
bottom
Top Shape (Table Mount)▾
auto
Lock Aspect Ratio
Lock Aspect Ratio
When enabled, Top Width is automatically calculated to match the same length-to-width ratio as the bottom shape.
For example: if the bottom is 30"×15" (2:1 ratio) and you set Top Length to 20", Top Width is automatically set to 10" — preserving the 2:1 ratio.
Diamond mode: Locking the aspect ratio guarantees zero twist in the staves, since all four sides taper at the same angle.
ovalsquare
top
Stadium Extension▾
Inserts a straight section into the oval — same end radii, longer overall shape. 0 = pure oval.
Taper ends only
Straight sections stay full length; only the curved ends taper inward.
Overall = end diameter + extension
Base Dimensions▾
Options▾
Two-Group Simplification
Two-Group Simplification
On a true oval, every joint between staves has a slightly different angle. A stave at the tip needs a steep bevel; a stave along the flat side needs a shallow one. In full-accuracy mode the calculator gives each stave its own unique left and right bevel — meaning your table saw blade angle changes for nearly every piece.
Two-Group simplifies this to just two saw settings. Staves are sorted into two groups:
Group A (End staves) — the curved arc sections at each end
Group B (Side staves) — the straighter sections along the sides
Each group gets one averaged bevel angle for both edges. Set the blade once for Group A, cut all those staves, then set it once for Group B.
The trade-off
The averaged angle is close but not exact for every joint. Small gaps close under glue and clamp pressure, and the final shape looks correct to the eye — but it is an approximation.
Full Accuracy
Two-Group
Saw setups
One per stave
2 total
Joint geometry
Exact
~±1–2° per face
Best for
Visible fine wood
Painted / faster builds
Think of it like this: full accuracy is a custom suit — every seam cut to the exact angle. Two-Group is a well-fitted off-the-rack suit — close enough that most people won't notice, and much faster to make.
Rounds End & Side staves to 2 saw setups
Lock Symmetric Design
Top mirrors bottom squareness & aspect
Units
Fraction precision
Wood Species (3D)
Saved Designs▾
No saved designs yet.
📐 DIAGRAM▾
Stave:
Drag · Pinch/scroll · Two-finger pan
Lighting
Background
build 3.7.0
📋 CUT LIST▾
Summary
Cut Sequence per Stave▾
① Rough cut — Cut boards to rough length and width from your stock.
② Taper & Bevel — Shape both long edges on the table saw. You have two options:
• Two passes per edge — First rip both long edges to create the taper (wide bottom → narrow top) using a taper jig (Rip°). Then tilt the blade and run each edge through again to cut the bevel (L Bevel / R Bevel) so adjacent staves close flush.
• One pass per edge — If your setup allows, combine both at once: set the taper jig to Rip° and tilt the blade to the bevel angle simultaneously.
③ End Cut° — Miter or table saw bevel across the width when crosscutting to final length. Same angle both ends, same direction. Seats the stave flat to the floor and table underside.
⚠ Corner staves may be too narrow — One or more staves adjacent to a corner are narrower than the minimum usable width after the bevel cut. Reduce the stave count or widen the base.
⚠ Asymmetric staves detected — L and R bevel angles differ.
Cut sequence: set saw to L Bevel → cut left end → reset to R Bevel → flip board → cut right end.
Mark the top face before cutting. Two-Group mode simplifies to 2 setups.