When to route for t-molding...

[ratzz]

Should I route my cab sides before I build it, or after I've build it.

Bear in mind that it is not a full sized cab and therefore a little easier to handle.

Ratzz 

[Hoopz]

Before you build it.  I also suggest before you paint anything also. 

Route though after you cut everything.   

[ratzz]

Thought that would be the case.

I saw a video online recently http://revision3.com/systm/mamecase2 and they routed the cab for the molding after assembly -- also in the upright position. It looked kind of awkward and, well, not quite the right way. I thought I might have been missing a trick.

Thanks HooPZ, and I will definitely remember to route AFTER I've cut   

[javeryh]

I also think it's a good idea to route before assembling the cab.  Before I apply glue to anything I generally make sure I don't have to make any more cuts or do anything else to it. 

[Hoopz]

Thanks HooPZ, and I will definitely remember to route AFTER I've cut   

You know to cut MDF in the house, right?  Our fearless leader did.   

[ratzz]

Thanks HooPZ, and I will definitely remember to route AFTER I've cut   

You know to cut MDF in the house, right?  Our fearless leader did.   

No ... no ... no ... that would just get dust everywhere!!! I did my cutting in the garden shed with the door closed behind me to keep the cold out, with a cigarette out the corner of my mouth! Plan to do my routing in there also. 

[Hoopz]

No ... no ... no ... that would just get dust everywhere!!! I did my cutting in the garden shed with the door closed behind me to keep the cold out, with a cigarette out the corner of my mouth! Plan to do my routing in there also. 

Right, thats what I meant.  But you know to spray paint inside right?

 

[leapinlew]

ratzz - it's a safety thing. You don't want to hit a screw or nail with your router. It's also much easier to route the thing when it's laying down.

[ratzz]

ratzz - it's a safety thing. You don't want to hit a screw or nail with your router. It's also much easier to route the thing when it's laying down.

Yea, that's what I thought -- strange video that.

cheers guys

 

[Bender]

Yeah, very strange, routing vent slots on the top after is was assembled?
routing T slots in the vertical possion?
I think the should have read Saint's book a little more thoroughly
[/quote]

Yea, that's what I thought -- strange video that.

cheers guys

 
[/quote]

[Pops]

I'm in the position of having assembled my cab dry, ie. no glue, if routing the slot needs a dissemble so be it, but I'm only doing the sides and laying the cab on its side will be fine with me. No gubbins inside yet.
I'm making things up as I go McGyver fashion and the cab gets assembled and disassembled and tweaked and tampered with constantly.
(Do thees things ever get finished? Or do I stick a fork in it when I run out of ideas?)

I'll let you know how it goes....

[fjl]

One of the regular on this forum made a video on youtube on correctly using the t-slot cutter. Forget who it was and I can't find the video on youtube.
 

[bratwurst]

I think it was Spacies.  The link is in the wiki but the video I think was removed from the site.

[WaRpEd]

Another thing to remember is a respirater or air filter due to the MDF dust.
You can give yourself a nasty cough from breathing a lungful.
Just an inexpensive paper face mask will do.
Cheers 

[Jdurg]

A respirator is almost required.  I'm using 3/4" Poplar plywood on my CP top and just cut the T-molding slot last night.  Even with a very good vacuum system hooked up to the router, the nature of the slot cutter kicked a BOATLOAD of dust out of there.  (Because the vacuum couldn't get all sides of the router.  Only the back side.)  I can't even begin to imagine what MDF would do!   

The really nice thing about the slot-cutter is that it's easy to adjust the depth of the router to ensure that it's cutting right where you want it.  I'm liking my router more and more.   

[pacmandude]

Yeah, I just routed the grooves for T-molding the other day. It was a mess even with a dust collector attached to the router. I would imagine the work area would become 'hazy' from dust without one.

[DaOld Man]

I agree with everyone, route slots before assembling.
On my first machine, I assembled first, big mistake. It is harder to route, plus I messed up my slot cutter when I hit a screw.
Hint: when you paint your cab parts, put strips of thin cardboard in the t molding slots. It will keep paint from clogging up the slots. Be sure to remove the strips as soon as you finish painting, they may get stuck when the paint dries, if you dont.