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Another router question
shmokes:
When routing out recesses in the bottom of your control panels are you all freehanding it or are you building little templates or jigs to have your router follow? I've never used a router, but I just bought one and I'm going to try my hand at it (and try not to lose my hand at it simultaneously).
bionicbadger:
I just freehanded it. Mark out the area you want routered out in pencil and go. Because its a non visible part and your joystick will be secured with bolts anyways, if you are 1/8" out it wont matter much. Just be prepared for lots of dust and wear glasses or goggles if you are sticking your face close to the router to see your pencil marks.
BobA:
I just marked it a bit larger with marker and freehanded it. It I was making more I would have made up a template and got the right guide bushings to use with templates.
BobA
slug54:
Just mark it and freehand it.
If your using a plunge router,Use your depth gage and depth stop to remove just the right amount. test the depth on a scrap piece.
Slug54
Wienerdog:
Holy shmokes, use a straight edge.
Think of:
-The cost of the wood
-The time you spent cutting the cp out
-How pissed off you would be if your router jumped grain and cut through the end of the wood
One of those three should give you motivation to use a straight edge and a stop (something to stop the router at the end of the cut.
It isn't about the 9 people who are successful cutting freehand, it is about the 1 person who messes it up. I couldn't care less about the cost of the wood. I would just be mad at myself if I messed up.