T-Molding and Slot Cut

[paulscade]

I'm about to buy some 5/8" T-molding from T-molding.com for my build.

They specify a slot cut of 5/64" (.080") for all of their 5/8" molding.

I have a set of slot cutter bits that includes a 1/16" (.0625) slot cutter.

My question:

Am I going to run into problems with this combination?
My slot would be about .02" smaller than what's recommended.

.02" is not much and I'm thinking that it might just take a few more whacks with the rubber mallet to get it seated in the slot... or even that the "imperfections" of me cutting a slot in the MDF would easily make up for the .02".

I'm hoping to get some "oh yea, that's no problem at all; I've done that" responses.... and I'm hoping not to hear that the tolerances are so tight that it's just not going to work.

What do you think?

(I suppose that worst case... I just buy another slot cutter bit).

[Franco B]

0.020" isnt much??!! 

In my line of business thats a mile 

You should be fine though, I think my slotter is about a 1/16th and I have to hammer the t-moulding in but it goes in ok.

If it is too tight you could always off set the cutter 0.010" and then route it from both sides.

The best thing to do would be to wait until you have your t-moulding and then test it on a scrap piece of material.

[Dustin Mustangs]

Ditto.  You should do this anyways to get your cutter centered.  Once it is, bang a piece in and check for any cracks or board failures (top and bottom).  If all looks good then yank it out and check again.  If it isn't making the edge of your board fail then you will be fine.

 

[stan2323]

If it is too tight you could always off set the cutter 0.010" and then route it from both sides.

The best thing to do would be to wait until you have your t-moulding and then test it on a scrap piece of material.

I would follow this advice.