Anyone used a dremel to cut your T-Molding slots ?

[joeblade]

Just got my T-MOLDING from the US. Sussing out options for cutting the slot.

My folks have a dremel, nobody I know has a router. Just wondering if anyone has used a dremel to cut their T-Molding slots, and how much success did you have ?

I did do a search through the archives here, found a fair few bits and bobs about dremels, but nothing solid on slot cutting.

Cheers

 

[austinrfnd]

Just got my T-MOLDING from the US. Sussing out options for cutting the slot.

My folks have a dremel, nobody I know has a router. Just wondering if anyone has used a dremel to cut their T-Molding slots, and how much success did you have ?

I did do a search through the archives here, found a fair few bits and bobs about dremels, but nothing solid on slot cutting.

Cheers

 

I am in the process of building my cabinet and I have used the router for alot of things.  I have used it to cut a slot on the inside of my cabinet to allow the lexan or plexiglass to slide into the cabinet.  It turned out awesome.  I even used the router to cut the lexan itself, that turned out better than I expected.  I will post pictures tomorrow or the next day for you dude.  I hoped I helped

-Austin

[AlanS17]

You be pleased to find out that Dremel makes a routing attatchment. I think it's about $25. That way you can aim to precise depths. Never used it so I wouldn't know, but sounds like a better solution than "freestyling" it or buying an $80 router.

You could also do what I did. I went to Sears and bought a Craftsman All-In-One Cutting Tool. It's like a Super Dremel made specifically cutting. It insludes all the attchments and comes in a large case. It also includes a good routing attatchment. I know it's not free, but it could solve multiple issues with one power tool.

[AgniTheSane]

If you look at the "Savoia Arcade" project on the examples page, he used a dremel to cut the slot for his t-molding.

I am going to OSH tomorrow to see if I can find the cutting wheel he used. If I find it I will let you know how it works--if I can't find it I am buying a router.

[SNAAAKE]

I did..it took forever to finish but whatever(didnt wanna buy router).
http://www.geocities.com/brian_coney/4PlayerPanel.html
Forgot where mrsalty(spelling?) page is.I recall him coming out with the idea of using dremel.
It takes forever for a cabinet so AVOID at any cost unless no choice.
I would never use dremel for t-molding again...EVER !
get a router..I bought one for $60 from home depot(good deal ).

[armad1ll0]

my cordless B&Decker set came with a router attachement. It's so nice to have and I basically only use it for light duty work... (control panels)

You need a router to cut a very nice accurate slot for the T-molding. Even a little off makes the T-molding look bad.

[Rocky]

I used a dremel to cut the T-molding slot for my CP.  I refurbed a cab, so thankfully I didn't have to do it  

The top slot is nice and tight.  The bottom slot is a little loose.  I think it had something to do with where the screws are place during construction.

I created a "jig" out of a couple of 2x4's screwed together with a 1 1/8" hole in the middle for the dremel.  That way I could keep it at the right distance (in the center of the board).

I got the dremel bit that was mentioned earlier in this thread.  I think it cuts the slot a little wide, but I don't know of any other alternative for using with a dremel.

Good luck

Rocky

[skirge66]

I have a dremmel with a router attachment...there is no way I would use it to slot for the t-molding, just routing the formica for the button hole on a couple buttons heated the thing up something fierce, I could only imagine what slot cutting all the MDF woulda done.

don't be cheap...buy the router, you'll never regret it...it's by far the most versitile tool I ever bought, you will find endless uses for the thing. besides for the price of the dremmel, the router attachment, and the bits...you coulda just bought a router...if you're doing an entire cab, I bet you burn out that little motor.

[armad1ll0]

I have that attachement too. It works good for cutting out the slot to "top mount" the J-stick"

[spidermonkey]

If you insist on using a dremel then get a router attatchment for it or at the very least build somekind of jig to hold it in place otherwise you will be all over the place when trying to cut a straight groove. If the groove isn't dead center then the t-molding will overlap on one side and fall short on the other. Also keep in mind that if the dremel isn't held REALLY securely then the slot will be inconsistant and oversized. Now you'll need to buy a glue gun just to hold the t-molding in the sloppy oversized slot. Glue guns are not fun to work with. You have to work very fast because the glue hardens so quickly. If you squirt too much glue in any given area it will ooze out the sides when inserting the t-molding and while all this is happening you have to deal with glue strings getting all over the place when pulling the gun away. I know that this all sounds exaggerated but believe me if its your first time installing t-molding and you don't use the correct tools then anything that can go wrong WILL. If you want professional results then a dedicated router with a 1/16" slot cutting blade is the answer. If you don't think you'll ever have a use for a router after your cab is completed then go buy one at Home Depot , cut all your grooves then return it and tell them that it  kept tripping your circuit breaker in your house and that there must be something wrong with it. God knows that I've bought stuff from Home Depot that was either broken or missing parts because the stuff was just put back on the shelf for the next poor sucker. Its time for some payback. :DBesides, if it ain't broken and you clean it before boxing it back up then the next person who buys it will never know. If that idea sounds too  8)shady to swallow then just rent one from Home Depot. Just make sure you have all your boards ready to cut grooves into and you should only have to rent it for one day. You'll want to get the slot cutting bit first because a 1/16" is a hard size to find and I highly doubt Home Depot will have one. Most online woodworkers tool sites will have them. DO NOT use the more common  1/8"  slot cutting bit or you'll be dealing with the dreaded glue gun again

Happy slot cutting !

S.M.

[Ghoward]

Hi,

If I were you I would buy a router, buy one online if you have to and have it shipped.

The right tool makes all the difference and since I

[crsdawg]

here's a 1 hp plunge router at harbor frieght for $30 bucks. they also have pretty reasonable shipping here in the us.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=47937

having the right tool for the job makes all the difference. when you start cutting corners in a project you usually get a result that looks it.

my 2 pennys

[joeblade]

Thanks to all who replied ... a lot of sound advice in the replies.

I don't want to make a pigs ear of the job, so will get router. I will probably end up having to route out parts of the CP anyway, for the joysticks.

Cheers all

 

[steve_pss]

Does anyone own that router? Price seems to good to be true.

[skirge66]

harbor freight has a location close to my house...all of their prices are pretty low on just about everything. some stuff is pretty close to the name brands other stuff...well not quite there, I've bought quite a bit from them and more often than not have been pleased with the product. never used their router though I will ask my woodworking friends at work tonight, see if any of them have.

[steve_pss]

thanks man. really need a router for my next (hopefully more polished) product but 100 bucks is... well...a 100 bucks.