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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: General Zod on December 10, 2003, 06:03:15 pm

Title: Panel Construction Help ? What Tool...
Post by: General Zod on December 10, 2003, 06:03:15 pm
As I'm not too bright with woodworking yet, although I learn something new everyday ... would someone please tell me the tool needed to make my panel resemble the bottom picture? ( see pic below)  :)

I want to take the panels I have now, and round off the corners. I'll be doing 2 panels, one for my cab, the other for the SideWinder stick I'm making for my PC at work. Any difference/ or roadblocks I might face when working with 2 unique size panels?

Any help is definitely appreciated.

Thanks in advance.
Title: Re:Panel Construction Help ? What Tool...
Post by: SNAAAKE on December 10, 2003, 06:06:54 pm
Draw the shape/line whatever then use jigsaw ;)
Title: Re:Panel Construction Help ? What Tool...
Post by: General Zod on December 10, 2003, 06:11:19 pm
Ahhh !  ;)

Home Depot was nice enough to cut down a sheet of MDF for me, and make the needed sizes. Now that they're already cut, is it still possible to use a jigsaw to round off the corners? I still have some MDF scraps left if I need to make a new cut or panel.




Title: Re:Panel Construction Help ? What Tool...
Post by: SNAAAKE on December 10, 2003, 06:15:18 pm
Ahhh !  ;)

Home Depot was nice enough to cut down a sheet of MDF for me, and make the needed sizes. Now that they're already cut, is it still possible to use a jigsaw to round off the corners? I still have some MDF scraps left if I need to make a new cut or panel.

Sure,why not.
Just draw the line and use a fine tooth jigsaw.Practice on scrap pieces first.

Practice makes perfect !
Title: Re:Panel Construction Help ? What Tool...
Post by: General Zod on December 10, 2003, 06:26:41 pm
I will give that a try !!

Thank you SNAAAKE  :)

If I find I have messed those up, I can always cut again.

Now you can laugh ...  ;)

</ was originally using some sandpaper and a dremel  :-[
Title: Re:Panel Construction Help ? What Tool...
Post by: Tilzs on December 10, 2003, 06:29:20 pm
I will give that a try !!

Thank you SNAAAKE  :)

If I find I have messed those up, I can always cut again.

Now you can laugh ...  ;)

</ was originally using some sandpaper and a dremel  :-[

Ya can always use some type of sander if you aren't trying to get rid of a whole lot of material. Such as a drum sander or belt sander or disk sander.
Title: Re:Panel Construction Help ? What Tool...
Post by: Minwah on December 10, 2003, 07:11:03 pm
Be careful with the jigsaw starting off and finishing - it can be a bit tricky!  Leave a bit too much if in doubt so you can just sand the remainder off...
Title: Re:Panel Construction Help ? What Tool...
Post by: rdagger on December 10, 2003, 08:21:57 pm
A router with a flush trim bit would work well.  You cut the corner with a jigsaw on scrap until you get it just right.  Then use the scrap as a template for all your corners.
Title: Re:Panel Construction Help ? What Tool...
Post by: Raider on December 10, 2003, 09:53:14 pm
"Be careful with the jigsaw starting off and finishing - it can be a bit tricky!  Leave a bit too much if in doubt so you can just sand the remainder off..."

I'll second that tip.
Title: Re:Panel Construction Help ? What Tool...
Post by: Tailgunner on December 10, 2003, 10:00:29 pm
Actually I'd cut the corners off with a saw, and then sand them to a rounded corner with a belt sander.
Title: Re:Panel Construction Help ? What Tool...
Post by: grafixmonkey on December 10, 2003, 11:28:26 pm
Quote
As I'm not too bright with woodworking yet, although I learn something new everyday ... would someone please tell me the tool needed to make my panel resemble the bottom picture?

Giant laser beam!!

...   man, I keep telling people but nobody ever gets one.
Title: Re:Panel Construction Help ? What Tool...
Post by: u_rebelscum on December 11, 2003, 01:57:47 am
Giant laser beam!!

...   man, I keep telling people but nobody ever gets one.

What model are you using?  my pocket laser pointer doesn't do the trick.  ;D
Title: Re:Panel Construction Help ? What Tool...
Post by: StickyC on December 11, 2003, 08:13:38 pm
Depending on the radius of your corner, you might get the cleanest look with a belt sander and some patience.  The best would be a router, but if you dont have one, it's an expensive investment just to round off some corners :)
I've not had good luck getting nice large-radius corners with a jigsaw, I'm just not that steady-handed :)
Title: Re:Panel Construction Help ? What Tool...
Post by: General Zod on December 11, 2003, 08:19:37 pm
I actually got started on that today ... decided to practice on a few pieces before I made the big cut .... turned out pretty decent with the jigsaw, also ... im not very steady handed, thus I'm always afraid I'll make mistakes.

Didnt turn out that bad on the practice wood .. so now that I have a feel for this new jigsaw, I'm going to try a few more cuts tomorrow, and then make the final cut .... still while working on my new project ....

 :-\

thanks though , for everyone's input ....

</ me says ... it ain't easy being a noob, not to mention my lack of woodworking skills.