T moulding question

[ideacipher]

First cabinet build and I'm taking my time on this project for sure. I already have a test control panel setup so I think that is helping with the time it is taking to complete the cabinet building. Anywho on to the question. When sanding my sides to match I noticed that after matching with an orbital sander a few spots were not square by a little. I haven't received the T moulding yet but wanted a heads up on how forgiving T moulding is on a non flush surface.

I don't mind spending some more hours sanding if needed. Also I have not unclamped the two sides to check for square individually so it may be a moot point just wanted to check.

[GoYouSalukis]

I think the answer is "how close are you looking?" I just installed t-molding on a retrofit of a Super Pac-man cabinet, and I can see many places where the edges weren't quite straight enough. That being said, when I step back a little, I can't notice it at all, and the family certainly won't notice it.

You could sand a little dimple or whatever in your test piece to replicate your cabinet side and then cut a small length of t-molding and install it to see if it bothers you a lot.

[kahlid74]

Are these supposed to be straight edges or curves?  If you need a straight line, sanding can get you 85% of the way but not all the way.  The only way to do it is with a guide and a flush trim bit on a router or a sawboard and circular saw.

When cutting your sides did you clamp them together and use the flush trim bit to make them identical?

[GoYouSalukis]

Your best bet would be to post a photo, so we can see exactly what you are talking about. I don't usually think of using an orbital sander to flush an edge of plywood or MDF. It is too easy to tip over on either side and get an edge that is not 90 degrees. If you do not have a router with a flush trimming bit, I think the best aproach is to use a jigsaw to get close to the line and then carefully use a flat file, checking often with a square.

[ideacipher]

Thanks for the info guys.

I do not have a flush trim bit yet but may look into picking one up. I took a day off from the cabinet work but will try to get some pictures soon to show you just how far off they are. It is very close but being a perfectionist is never easy when doing anything by hand.

Are these supposed to be straight edges or curves?  If you need a straight line, sanding can get you 85% of the way but not all the way.  The only way to do it is with a guide and a flush trim bit on a router or a sawboard and circular saw.

When cutting your sides did you clamp them together and use the flush trim bit to make them identical?

There are curves. It is based on the classic Nintendo cab. I also did not cut them clamped together (learning as I go). To make matters worse the jig saw seemed to be square before cutting but I had a slight angle on both sides when I finished. I most be lucky because sanding by hand with the orbital got all but one curve square throughout. So I may be OK to use the flush trim bit for the strait lines and hope I have the same luck when touching up the curves a bit after removing a tiny bit of mdf.

Your best bet would be to post a photo, so we can see exactly what you are talking about. I don't usually think of using an orbital sander to flush an edge of plywood or MDF. It is too easy to tip over on either side and get an edge that is not 90 degrees. If you do not have a router with a flush trimming bit, I think the best aproach is to use a jigsaw to get close to the line and then carefully use a flat file, checking often with a square.

This sounds good as well and I already have a flat file. Just need to find out what is going on with my jigsaw cutting angle. More test cuts I guess until it cuts true. I was hoping that T Moulding curved down at the edges and sort of formed when hammered in but that would be to easy. I'm not off by a lot by any means just enough to see that it isn't perfect.

[ideacipher]

I'm going to go with the flush trim bit. It will take some time setting up the template and all but in the end has to be the best course. I love the idea of a clean flush line. I've worked on wood projects before and this one is teaching me so much each step. And I learned that I'm pretty good at freehand curve sanding, is there a market for that lol?