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Main => Woodworking => Topic started by: photon on June 24, 2012, 04:24:24 pm

Title: Pattern routing
Post by: photon on June 24, 2012, 04:24:24 pm
I'm just getting started on 3 identical bartops. Am I better off doing the pattern routing by hand or mounting the router in a table? I have a tablesaw extension that has a basic router mount that I've only ever used with a fence. Also the same question in regards to cutting the slots for the t-molding. The sides will be 5/8 or 3/4 MDF.
Thanks.
Title: Re: Pattern routing
Post by: selfie on June 24, 2012, 06:02:13 pm
Which is the most stable for your workpiece? If the saw bench has a large enough table top to support a large percentage of the pattern I would be doing it this was. If the router fixture in the saw is only small you will have more luck with the router in hand.
Title: Re: Pattern routing
Post by: yaksplat on June 25, 2012, 07:04:16 am
Any routing done on the outside of a piece is easier done with a router table.  Any button and joystick holes should be routed by hand.


I just did this over the weekend for a customer, but i didn't have my router table set up, everything was done by hand.  4 panels with the same outer edge and a row of button holes along the top edge.

(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5328/7439328584_214f521a75_z.jpg)

I then created plexiglass tops using these panels as templates.  They might be a little hard to see, but they're there. 

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7108/7439328464_792005cacc_z.jpg)