Router and Recess for Joystick

[maffewl]

New to routing.  Used a patter cutter for the cab. sides this past weekend and that was my first "real" use of a router other than practicing.

However, I'm still somewhat confused or maybe scared of the router jumping or something on me when thinking about cutting the recess for the joysticks on my control panel.

Of course these would be in the center of the MDF and only so deep.  I guess my question is, how is this usually accomplished?  With a straight guide and several passes in linear fashion? Or?

Thanks in advance!

[Drnick]

There are many ways to skin this cat, Freehand, Jig, Straight Edge.  I used 4 Straight Pieces of wood set so that when routing only the bit that I wanted to remove could be removed. The smaller the base of your Router or the bigger the work area the easier this method is.

Ideally use a plunge router and make sure that the height adjustment is set nice and tight to the correct thickness before you start

If you plan on doing this multiple times (which for me is more then twice) then for perfect results you should make yourself a Jig and use a bit with a top bearing.

[hamburglar]

I made a template for when I cut out mine and used a Frued 1/4" straight bit with a 1/2" OD guide bushing.

The basic gist of this method is you determine the size of recess that you want to cut, offset it by 1/8", and layout your pattern on your template material. For me that is some 1/4" Sandeply that I have leftover from another project. I cut it out with a jigsaw close to the layout line and then sand it to the line with a piece of 80 grit and a block. Then if you are OCD like I am you can take a flush trim bit and just barely have the bearing hitting the edge with layout line on it and get the side of the template perfectly plumb.

[maffewl]

Thanks for the replies guys!  I went with the 4 pieces of wood and flush trim bit with using the jigsaw to make a rough cut then let the router clean things up.  I appreciate the help!