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| Cutting out complex shapes. What tool? |
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| wintermute:
I agree with Nannuu, and SteveJ. |
| Effayy:
Excellent ideas guys, thanks! So far here's a step-by-step of how I propose I can do this, after following your advice: 1. Route a circle in the side of my cabinet. 2. Route out a smaller circle (which will be the inset) in a seperate peice of MDF 3. Use a scrollsaw to cut out the intricate design on the peice from Step 2. 4. Glue the inset into the routed circle on the cabinet side 5. Laminate over the entire side of the cabinet 6. Use a drill and a dremel tool to route out the laminate covering from the "inner" side, so the laminate will follow teh same countours as the scrollsawed peice. Sound like a plan? I'm curious to know if simply gluing the inset will be adequate, or should I find a way to screw it in place as well? - FA |
| mccoy178:
One of the best things I've used to hold guides in place is an 18 gauge air nailer. I also found for straight cuts, I use whatever length of 1x4 and small nails to tack it to my working surface. Brad nails don't come back out of the guide piece very easily at all(which sucks when you want to use it over and over), and the tiny nails can be tapped back into the board making it smooth for the next use. Clamping can work as well, but it is sometimes easier just to fill in the tiny holes on a paintable surface that it is to deal with a long run of wood. For cutting circles, I bought a jig from a local woodworking store that attaches to the router face and lets you cut whatever size circle you need. I build poker tables, and I found this quite handy with odd size cup holder requests. BTW, the router with a bushing will make that laminate as flush with the wood as the day is long. |
| wintermute:
Glue when done properly should be stronger than solid wood, so I would think you should be all set with just glue for getting your "inset" in place. wm |
| Nannuu:
The router (or Dremel) can only take out so much of the laminate. On the sharp corners you'll have to do that by hand with a blade. |
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