Slot Cutting After Construction?

[jeffhlewis]

I've got a time dilemma on my hands here....I ordered a 1/16th slot cutter from Amazon (couldn't find one anywhere here strangely between Menards, Home Depot, Lowes, and True Value) and the ---daisies--- aren't going to ship it until like the last day in June - with an expected arrival between July 1st and 7th (ugh).  I'm moving in about a month so every weekend I get I have to be out in the garage finishing this project up.  My two sides have been cut even with a router and I've been working on getting tack strips cut for my initial mounting.

My question is - can I just run the slot cutter over the sides once the cabinet is assembled (but unpainted)?  I figure it might be a bit more cumbersome than doing it prior to assembly but I don't have time to idle around for another week.

thanks!

[Blanka]

If you can run of the edge with it: yes, if a part that needs T-bolding is locked between two other panels, than: no. Just go along the edges with the router to imagine what will work when you get to the T-molding point.

[Franco B]

Just make sure there will be no screws/nails etc in the cutter path, you dont want the cutter hitting one of those at ~20,000RPM.

[jeffhlewis]

That's pretty much what I thought but I figured I'd consult the experts first.  What I should actually probably do during my downtime is get my blog site finished so I can post a worklog, haha.  Or better yet actually announce the project on this forum.

I don't have any interior T-Molding (my control panel is recessed) so it should be a problem - just the two sides.

[Chadwick]

Just make sure there will be no screws/nails etc in the cutter path, you dont want the cutter hitting one of those at ~20,000RPM.

This is paramount!  An off-the-shelf 1-78" slot cutter will have a 1/2" depth of cut.  Wear those saftey glasses!

[jeffhlewis]

slot cutting is complete...I got it sooner than expected and got everything taken care of before assembly.  thanks though, guys!