t-molding / laminate question

[Iori]

I am getting ready to order a laminate and a some t-molding to finish off the top of my cp and have a few questions before I make my decisions...  

1)  When applying laminate to a cp top do you cut the laminate right up to the edge of the cp or do you let it hang a bit and tuck it under the t-molding a bit afterwards?  If you gut it exact will look bad?  Does anyone have any pics that will show this well?  I plan on doing a custom printed laminate job.

2) Has anyone used this type of t-molding?  Link:  http://t-molding.com/cart/customer/product.php?productid=10&cat=4&page=1  
It looks like this is the stuff that alot of the pre-made CPs use and I think that it would look pretty nice and protect the edges of the laminate as well.  The thing is that I am using 3/4" MDF for my cp and this claims to be a little larger 13/14".  I assume that this is for 3/4" wood and is just wider to clear the edge.  Am I right?  Anyone have experience or comments on this stuff?

3)  Where is the best place to get a router bit for cutting the slot for the t-molding?  From what I have gathered you need a 1/16" bit, the smallest I saw at Home Depot was 1/8th or 3/16th I think...


I hope I am not re-asking some old questions that have been covered a million times!  Looked for the answers to these a few days ago and couldn't find them... If anyone knows of a tutorial on line that explains how to do the cutting for the t-molding I would love a link also.    My girlfriends Dad has all the tools, and I don't know how to use alot of them, the router is one of those.  Thanks!

[SNAAAKE]

Just get 3/4" molding.
I have no idea why some people think using 3/4" wood+laminate and 3/4" molding wrong.
I think it looks fine.

Here are pics if it helps.first one is from scotts unicade and second from my site(how picky do we really have to be?).

http://home.austin.rr.com/shumate/unicade/photos/speaker-finish.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid68/p3f5a8318f64d95a6d9deb240649e819a/fbc14d22.jpg


Check out his site too.
http://home.austin.rr.com/shumate/unicade/cabinet.htm

[Iori]

Nice... Snaaake, so your cp is just a stick on laminate with the t-molding around it then?  It *almost* looks like it is has a plexi cover over it too...  Looks good, though I think that the laminate that I will more than likely be using will be textured so will not be as shiny.  Did you tuck laminate under your t-molding or did you cut it at the edge of the cp?  Thanks!

[SNAAAKE]

The panel is 5/8" wood+1/8" plexi and 3/4" molding.
The bottom part of the cab is 3/4" wood+laminate and 3/4" molding.

I cut the slot with a 1/8" slot cutting bit from home depot and used hotglue so the molding stays in place.It was a pain in the ass(should have known better).
Make double sure you get 1/16" bit and you wont have to use hotglue.

[Sprucemoose]

SNK,
Use a 1/16" slot cutting bit for the tmolding.  You probably need to order that online.  My local stores did not have one.  You need to cut the laminate to overhang about an inch over all the edges.   Then use a laminate bit to finish the side so they meet up perfectly to the edge.  Apply tmolding.  Put your left leg in, take your left leg out and do the hokie pokie

[Iori]

SNK,
Use a 1/16" slot cutting bit for the tmolding.  You probably need to order that online.  My local stores did not have one.  You need to cut the laminate to overhang about an inch over all the edges.   Then use a laminate bit to finish the side so they meet up perfectly to the edge.  Apply tmolding.  Put your left leg in, take your left leg out and do the hokie pokie

 Hehehe... a laminate bit for the router eh?  Glad I asked.

It looks like one of these is what you are talking about:

http://www.oldham-usa.com/Products/BitsMain/LaminateMain.htm

Which is the correct one to use or will the all work about the same for me?  Yea I am full of questions when it comes to this...

[Tilzs]

You just need a flush trim router bit. Take your pick, free shipping

http://mlcswoodworking.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/smarthtml/pages/bt_flush.html

[PedroSilva]

Hi,

Here: www.dremel.com ... use this and all your problems will be solved ....  

[crashwg]

For a 1/16 slot cutting bit go here

http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/smarthtml/pages/bt_slot.html

items #5341 or #7641 depending on your router.  They're $16, not bad at all considering what others charge...

[nipsmg]

SNK, where are you from?   I picked a 1/16" slotting cutter + arbor assembly up (luckily) at a local woodworking shop in CT.

If you want to find that bit, look for WOODWORKING stores, NOT normal hardware stores.  I can pretty much guarantee Home Depot & Lowes will not have it.

--NipsMG

[Iori]

Kind of bringing up an old one here... but just wanted to say thanks for the links and tips.  

[Stingray]

So did you finish your CP then? Lets see some pics!

-S

[Iori]

Not yet... Just ordered the overlay and the t-molding last night.  Need to order the bits still so it will be at least a week or two before it is done  

I will post pics when it is done though, just watch for an update on my project page(link in sig)!   Thanks...

[Stingray]

I've been following your progress on that thread as well. I didn't realise this was the CP for your bartop. Nice looking machine you're putting together there.

-S

[Iori]

I've been following your progress on that thread as well. I didn't realise this was the CP for your bartop. Nice looking machine you're putting together there.

-S

Thanks , still a bit of work to get done with it, but it is coming along pretty well...

[Stingray]

Last weekend I bought an empty cab from a guy. He also had three or four bar-tops in bad need of restoration. I was tempted to buy one of those too, but I felt like I was probably pushing my luck with the upright as far as Mrs. Stingray is concerned.   After I finish the upright I may go back and see if he still has those bar-tops. I'd sure like to have one.

-S

[eightbit]

You use the terms overlay and laminate interchangeably. Which one is it that your doing? With an overlay you don't need the flush trim bit and you can wrap it around the edges. If your actually applying laminate you need to let it over hang and then use the router and a flush trim bit to cut the overhang off.