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

Main > Main Forum

<< < (2/4) > >>

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 8) 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 :P

Happy slot cutting !

S.M.

Navigation

 Message Index

Go to full version