Router the best way to cut groove for t-molding???

[Jakobud]

I got some black 5/8" t-molding from www.t-molding.com, and I'm curious as to the best way to cut the groove for installation of it.  For a while now I have been planning on using this small radial handheld saw with a guide to cut the groove.  This would work quite well, although now I can see that the guide is just too small and flemsy.  I just know that my groove is not going to end up being completely centered.  So I am thinking to use a router...I know many have used a router for this.  I'm wondering if anyone can tell me which router bit to use?  I'd be easiest for me to get one from Home Depot...

Thanks

Jake

[JustMichael]

Yes a router works best.  Use a 1/16" slot cutting bit.  Take a scrap piece and adjust the router until you get the slot as close to centered as you can.  Cut the slot in the pieces.  Flip the pieces over and recut the slot (you are doing this before assembly right?).  By cutting the slot twice in this way, it will be perfectly centered.

[aramis]

Yup, a 1/16" slotting bit is best. But, you won't find it at Home Depot. Try Woodworker's Warehouse instead. They had the cheapest prices of the places I looked on-line. And, they had a local store with it in stock so I just drove over and picked one up...

[Jakobud]

Okay, so 1/16" is the width of the groove that bit will cut?  What about the depth? I don't want the groove any deeper than necessary.  If HomeDepot doesn't have these bits, what other large chains on the west coast would carry these?

Jakobud

[RandyT]

Okay, so 1/16" is the width of the groove that bit will cut?

[aramis]

my 1/16" slotting bit makes a cut 9/16" deep.

In a few spots, I had screws slightly closer to the edge than that, so I just cut a little notch out of the t-molding "tab" and it worked just fine.

A little hot glue in the slot really helps to hold the t-molding in too.