Making the groove for t-molding

[Rhetro]

Hello everyone! (something just happened here so please excuse this if you see it twice)

I'm trying to cut the groove in the side of my control panel to install some t-molding.

I bought the correct groove cutter, installed it properly in the router, tightened everything down, but cannot get a straight line to save my life! The cutting wheel just seemed to start out ok, but by the end of the pass, the line was far from centered!

I had to use wood filler a couple of times and start over. On the last attempt I just gave up.

I'm about to have it done professionally as I cannot seem to beat this one!

I'm not that inept, and I know I'm not asking a whole hell of a lot!

Any advice from anyone who has done this successfully would be great!

Thanks in advance!

[cbmeeks]

How do you have everything secured down?

Are you freehanding or are you using the guide on the router?

What kind of router are you using?

[Jakobud]

Are you using a slot cutting bit?  This is what a slot cutting bit looks like:



Or are you using a straight bit and you are trying to cut the groove while the wood is standing up on its side??  

[whammoed]

can you post a picture of your router with bit installed?  The only problem I have ever had is snagging the routers power cord making the router jerk and screw up the cut...otherwise a very easy process.  most routers have some kind of clamp to lock the base to the motor after adjusting the height...if it does not clamp tight the height can change as you cut...you can adjust the pressure of this clamp.

[NoOne=NBA=]

The most likely reason for this would be that the collar is not tight on the router.
There's usually a big turning ring with a wing nut to clamp it down on the outside of the router.
This ring adjusts the height of the bit above the base.
If it's not clamped down tight, it will rotate while you use the router, causing the bit to move up or down in relation to the base of the router.

[bdsjake]

are you using a plunge router or fixed base?  I was using a rotary tool (about 1/2 of a router) with plunger attachment, the plastice wouldn't hold properly, and so wouldn't keep the correct calibration.  I bought a "real" router, with a plunge base that can be removed, and it worked great the first time.

[AlanS17]

I've noticed that when you apply downward pressure, your plunge depth can shift. I had a plunge router that couldn't hold it's proper depth so I traded it in for a fixed router and never had anymore problems.

[Donger]

Anyone have a (reliable) website where I can buy the slot cutting bit?  I've been to like 5 Home Depots and 1 Lowes and this piece is impossible to find.

[namzep]

http://www.t-molding.com

[rdagger]

Anyone have a (reliable) website where I can buy the slot cutting bit?  I've been to like 5 Home Depots and 1 Lowes and this piece is impossible to find.

Amazon also sells a high quality Freud slot cutter:
Freud 58-100 1/16" 4-Wing Slot Cutter for 5/16 Router Arbor
You will need to have an arbor with this bit.  Freud router and forstner bits are expensive, but work great.

[Sylentwulf]

Don't have a link, but I got mine from coastal and thought the price was good.

[JoeB]

These bits cost an arm and a leg here in Toronto..

I ended using an attachement to my dremel (that cost much less) and doing it REALLY REALLY slowly.

It came out very well I might add.  

[mmmPeanutButter]

These bits cost an arm and a leg here in Toronto..

Don't say that!  

I have an old cab (with slot already cut), but I'm replacing the bottom 6 inches.  I was hoping to borrow one for the afternoon from somebody, but was also considering just buying one.

Looks like I'll go back to looking for one to borrow...

psst... anybody got a bit in Toronto they could lend me for the afternoon??  

[SoundDoc]

These bits cost an arm and a leg here in Toronto..

I have an old cab (with slot already cut), but I'm replacing the bottom 6 inches.  I was hoping to borrow one for the afternoon from somebody, but was also considering just buying one.

Looks like I'll go back to looking for one to borrow...

psst... anybody got a bit in Toronto they could lend me for the afternoon??  

If all you have to do is 6 inches... What I did when I needed to lengthen the slots on my cab a little was to make my own....

I took one of my router bits apart, and took a 1" washer about a 1/16" thick, and  ground 4 "teeth" into it on the grinder. Put it on the shank with a couple of spacing washers and the bearing and away I went! (Just make sure its evenly gound out, or it will virbrate horribly and possibly damage your router.)

Its no replacement for a proper slot cutter with carbide teeth, (which I now have) but if you only need a few inches, it does work. You just need to go extra slow, and watch for smoke...  

[MiKman]

Hello everyone! (something just happened here so please excuse this if you see it twice)

I'm trying to cut the groove in the side of my control panel to install some t-molding.

I bought the correct groove cutter, installed it properly in the router, tightened everything down, but cannot get a straight line to save my life! The cutting wheel just seemed to start out ok, but by the end of the pass, the line was far from centered!

I bet you are travelling the wrong direction with the router. If you move the router the wrong direction when cutting it will have a tendancy to climb out of the cut.  You should always move the router in a clockwise direction when routing inside edges. And move the router in a counterclockwise direction along the outside edges of a peice (most cabinets only have outer edges so counterclockwise). Think of a picture frames inside edge and outside edge, then you will know what I mean.

hope this helps.
MiKman

[Rhetro]

Never thought of the direction!!!! Perhaps that's what it was!!!

If looking down at the wheel (like when holding the router while in use) it spins counter clockwise, so I would cut the grove from right to left. In other words, I would be going along with the rotation of the wheel as opposed to it. Is this what you mean by "climbing"?

I think I need to practice on a blank board in the other direction to test out what you mean!

This helps. Thanks again!!

[MiKman]

Never thought of the direction!!!! Perhaps that's what it was!!!

If looking down at the wheel (like when holding the router while in use) it spins counter clockwise, so I would cut the grove from right to left. In other words, I would be going along with the rotation of the wheel as opposed to it. Is this what you mean by "climbing"?

I think I need to practice on a blank board in the other direction to test out what you mean!

This helps. Thanks again!!

Yes if you move the router in the same direction as the bit is spinning it will climb out of the groove you are cutting. move the router in the opposite direction.  Always test first to be sure.  good luck!