Routing for t molding

[Craig]

Hi, can someone possibly advise me what Dremel parts and part numbers I need to successfully route the slot so I can put tmolding in? So far I have a Dremel and I know that I need a 1/16 bit is this available for the Dremel?

Oh and I checked out tmolding.com and found their prices to be excellent. It seems cheap enough to make an arcade cabinet look like a million bucks. 

Thanks.

[NoOne=NBA=]

It's almost impossible to make a T-molding groove with a Dremel.
Unlike a router, there is no depth setting on them.
That means that you would have to freehand right down the middle of the entire piece, to get the T-molding to fit properly.

Unless you have alot steadier hand than anyone I've ever met, you're going to end up with a wavy groove, which will make the T-molding stick out to one side or the other in places.

I would also question if the motor has enough torque to cut that much wood without burning itself out.

[Craig]

Thanks. I will buy a router then I guess. Where can I buy the bit from?

[ROMbler]

I used the #330 Router Attachment and the #542 Cutting/Shaping Wheel.

[More Cowbell]

Hey ROMbler, so the cutting wheel was wide enough for the t-mold? I am considering the same method and I had planned on doing it exactly as you specified. However, I wasn't sure if the t-mold would fit in the groove. I'm waiting for my t-mold in the mail to test. Sounds like it will work which saves me about $100.
Thanks

[Craig]

I found a site online which has bits. About $50 for a bit. Isn't this expensive? Anyway I might not get change out of $150 after I get the router as well.

[javeryh]

Try MLCS for all your router needs - I've ordered from them a few times and they have been EXCELLENT.  Great customer service and the items always arrived quickly... plus the prices are good.

The bit I used to cut my t-molding groove was $16.00 here:  http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/smarthtml/pages/bt_slot.html#Anchor%20slotct3w

[Craig]

Thanks for that. I was excited to see that I could get one for $16 but then I added the postage which is $19 to Australia and pressed X on the browser.

I mean get real! Almost 20 bucks to send a small bit of metal? I wouldn't go to the effort of ordering from there and be better off getting one locally for a couple of bucks more. The order from USA would be $45+ AUD after conversion..

It really annoys me when you can get something so damn cheap over there but when you add the shipping cost, it scares me off. If the postage cost was reasonable with all companies then I would be buying a lot from the USA.

[More Cowbell]

If I have learned anything from tv and movies, the shipping is probably so expensive because the mailmen are afraid of...
a) getting eaten by a dingo
b) getting punched out by a kangaroo in boxing gloves
or c) getting mugged by Crocodile Dundee and his giant knife.
Just kidding. Shipping charges are a profit center for a lot of companies. It sucks.

[Craig]

Yeah the same with eBay too.

[Craig]

Should I get a router bit with 2 or 4 flutes?

[wintermute]

If you're talking about a router bit to cut a slot for T-molding, it shouldn't have flutes.  I use a "3 wing slot cutter". 

Normally straight cutter bits are the ones with flutes, for routing out larger areas.

[rbarr110]

I also used a 3-wing slot cutter with a Router.  I found mine at Home Depot with their router bits.  I spent about $33 for it.  You have to buy 2 parts, the 1/4" shaft with bearing and the 3-wing blade.

[ROMbler]

Hey ROMbler, so the cutting wheel was wide enough for the t-mold? I am considering the same method and I had planned on doing it exactly as you specified. However, I wasn't sure if the t-mold would fit in the groove. I'm waiting for my t-mold in the mail to test. Sounds like it will work which saves me about $100.
Thanks

It's the right width - i had to tap the molding in and it was a nice fit (3/4 inch width molding)

[Craig]

Seems to be some really helpful & interesting posters today.

Could someone possibly tell me out of what's on this site what I need to get?

http://www.apworkshop.com.au/html/slot_cut_trim_saws.html

Cheers.

[ROMbler]

Seems to be some really helpful & interesting posters today.

Could someone possibly tell me out of what's on this site what I need to get?

http://www.apworkshop.com.au/html/slot_cut_trim_saws.html

Cheers.

I'd recommend the four flute cutter.  The ball bearing guide would be a good idea to keep the cut depth even and help your run the router along the edge.  Just my opinion - I've only used routers a few times.

[Craig]

ROMbler, with using your Dremel, was the cutter thickness wide enough to push the t-mold in? Looking at the Dremel site, the cutter looks very thin.

How much did you pay for the router attachment and a cutter?

[ROMbler]

the thickness is perfect for molding - nice tight fit- I had the same worry.  I don't remember exactly what I paid... I'm thinking ~$30 for the attachment and ~$18 for a package of three cutting disks from Lowes.

[tcheat]

www.tmolding.com has molding and router bits. 

A nice trick I picked up from someone on this site is to route the groove and then flip the piece over and route it from the opposite side.  That gives you a perfectly centered molding.

Good luck.

[Craig]

Thanks tcheat. Didn't realise they had the bits. I will order it there when I get my tmold from them.

Cheers

[peyote]

craig if your in melbourne try woodworking warehouse in braeside
for a router bit http://www.woodwarehouse.com.au/
i got one from there about a month ago for AU$24.45
i rang first and spoke to a woman who was really helpful
and ended up geting it for the distributors price.  (ref No. SL18AB4)
http://www.linbide.com/product.php?sid=2327006&pid=107

if you have'nt purchased a router yet check your local big W
to see if they still have the GMC 1/4inch router for AU$39
if not try bunnings they should have some Ozito brand 1/4inch routers
on sale for AU$49

also if you have'nt purchased your t-molding i found a place
locally that sells it cheap the only catch is it's in 100metre rolls
at 53c a metre and black only
http://www.consolidated-edgings.com.au/