how to widen t-molding slot?

[ericball]

Bought some t-molding to refurbish my Tempest cab.

[DreamArcades]

You might just try a regular old saw blade. It's slow, but you will be less likely to mess it up.  If you have a lot of inward curves it wouldn't work though (can't get  the saw blade in there).

Also, I often cut my t-molding groves with a skill saw. It's not too hard if you already have a smaller grove cut. Of course I'm pretty good with a skill saw so your mileage may very.

Honestly, I think your best bet will be to get a dremmel tool, just cut slowly. If you mess-up on a small section it's not a big deal. If you mess-up on a larger section use a glue gun to get the t-molding to stick.

Disclaimer: The above methods are NOT used on DA arcades. We have a CNC router do all the hard work!

[REBIRTH]

Not a great suggestion, but if you have NO tools to do this with, you can also use a box cutter type knife and just slice a bit off around the whole cab.  Will take a long time and won't be too neat - but onece you put the t-molding on it will cover up any imperfections.

[tommy]

I would run some sandpaper through the groove, you shouldnt need more then a 1/16 more room.

[Kev-in DFW]

I would consider a winged slot cutter the ONLY option.

[CJK]

I completely agree with Kev: a router with a slot-cutting bit is really your only option for a good result. (You might get an acceptable one using other techniques, but they're all either (1) dangerous, (2) unlikely to produce an even or straight result, or (3) both (1) and (2).)

There are numerous sources of slot-cutting bits on the net -- I buy most of my router bits through either Woodcraft or Amazon. Coastal Tool is another company with a huge selection and a good reputation.

I'd look at Amana, Whiteside, or Freud bits.

http://www.woodcraft.com
http://www.amazon.com
http://www.amanatool.com
http://www.whitesiderouterbits.com
http://www.freudtools.com

Hope this helps!
-- Chris

[Dagg]

If its truly MDF and has slot cut but its just not wide enough I used a utility knife to kind of score it "deeper" then just ran a screwdriver head in the slot to clean out the "cardboard" that was loosend and it actually widenend the hole and made it deeper.

MDF is very soft so this may not work on wood.

[19rjs99]

Instead of messing with the slot why not trim the molding? utility knife or sand paper... Sounds much easier if you don't have the correct tools for the cab.

[ericball]

I used tommy's suggestion and slid some folded 50 grit sandpaper through the grove.  That and making sure I had things lined up before I hit it with the rubber mallet.  I also notched the T going around corners.  Anyway, it's done and looks very nice.