Main > Woodworking

Woodworking Tip - Routers rule!

<< < (4/6) > >>

Crazy Cooter:
Effayy's method works well as does using a guide.  After you get one side of the cabinet done, clamp it down to the other side and "trace" it.  That gives you a perfect match.

For a straight edge, stop by a local metal fabrication shop.  They might have a nice aluminum piece or two that are perfectly straight and have an edge that the router won't "jump" over.

rdagger:
I was disappointed when I first bought a circular saw, but now I use it all the time.  It's like soldering, it just takes practice and a few good tips (no pun intended).   Just try to find a pile of unwanted wood and experiment.

A few problems with using a router for cuts:
1.  It takes longer.
2.  It wastes wood.
3.  It produces much more dust.  (MDF dust is very unhealthy)
4.  You are shortening the life of an expensive bit.

tivogre:

--- Quote from: BrokenBones1 on July 30, 2005, 08:09:00 am ---I am so over my circular saw. It doesn't happen for me either.

I think a lot of the problem is having the confidence to just rip through it. Forceful but controlled. Unfortunately I seem to have neither of these.

I agree, the router is easier for somebody with limited woodworking experience.

--- End quote ---

I have LOTs of woodworking experience;  I still used the rough cut / router approach.  It gives you a cut that's a s perfect as your guide strip.

You'll see dozens of examples on my site of "screwing down a jig" or "screwing down a guide strip" and using the flush trimming bit / router.

Since I'm laminating my cabinet, I have no concerns about the extra screw holes;  screwing down the guide is a guaranteed no slip / no flex method.

Even if you were painting, a bit of Bondo in the screw holes sanded smooth won't be noticed.

tcheat:
I agree with the router approach.  But I had to buy a new circular saw (mine is in long-term storage along while the new house is under construction) so I got one from Sears.  It has a laser guide, and may be the best purchase I've made in a long time.  I was able to make great circular saw cuts with it.  It was especially helpful on mitered cuts. 

MonitorGuru:
Router bits don't have to be expensive.

Check out Menards or Harbor Freight or Homier if you have them in your area.

At menards you can get, when on sale, a 6 piece straight bit router set for $4.99 !  Yes, they're CARBIDE not the crappy HSS ones. Unfortunately that set doesn't have any edge trimming ones.

But all 3 places, PLUS eBay have larger sets that cost between $1 and $2 per bit total that do have the trim bits that last just as long as the $15 a bit ones individually from Home Depot and Lowes.

On eBay I got a 50 piece bit set with 5 different sizes of edge trimming bits (length/diameters varied) for about $45 shipped. Plus all the other bits that I may use sometime.

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page

[*] Previous page