I need to replace a missing rail on a 1890s window but can’t quite find the sticking profile that matches.
I am looking for router bits that match 105 and 106 in this old millwork catalogue. If anyone could help point me in the right direction I would really appreciate it.
Thanks in advance.
Replies
Without radi and other dimensions that isn't much help to match a molding profile.
Plus you mention one rail but your example is for 2 entirely different profiles.
Many pros who specialize in historic home restoration find the only thing you can do is order custom bits.
Here is a company I had used once and was happy with the product.
https://www.vexorcwt.com/custom-router-bits
PS. I'm not sure exactly what you are expecting but it's highly likely you may need to make you cut in multiple operations using multiple bits. If the rail was cut by hand it certainly was. If it used an early version of a shaper it may have been a single bit but not necessarily.
I do mention two separate profiles without clarification. The lower sash is a bit of a frankenstein. It was repaired some time ago, but little effort was made to match the original profile so there is both ovolo and ogee profiles. The muntin is the original ogee and one of the stiles is the newer ovolo. It's interesting to say the least. I would settle for either as a temp fix or the missing rail.
Thanks for the link. Custom might be the way to go in the end.
These might be close for the #105.
https://factorydirectsupplyonline.com/products/cmt-855-801-11-window-sash-router-bit-sets?variant=35333588648097¤cy=USD&utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=shopping&utm_content=CMT+855.801.11+Window+sash+router+bit+sets&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=17890253930&utm_content=&utm_term=&gclid=CjwKCAjwtp2bBhAGEiwAOZZTuJCHwFj52GyCd-xgfTyXqUCn3oBYTrl77boZpkaFMYW3XQC3BGryJxoCEsgQAvD_BwE
I searched on Muntin / Mullion router bit
Thanks for the link. That feels really close. The others I've seen had more aggressive ogees. This one feels a lot more subtle. These subtleties is what stands out to me most with this old work.
There are a number of companies that will create custom router bits for you. Prices vary quite a bit, so look around. Typically you will just need to send them an accurate drawing or a sample piece of the profile that you are wanting to match. I reproduce moldings from time to time for projects like this and this is one method that can work well.
If it needs to be a dead match, then +1 on a custom bit.
How about a scratch stock??
One rail? Probably not worth the trouble but a millwork shop can reproduce anything. If your windows are common to your area from that time period they may have cutters already profiled ,save you some money- or maybe a recycle center near you might have it. Back in my youth I worked on a bunch of Philadelphia Society Hill restorations. There were preservation cops that would require that everything was authentic and they checked and were mercenary! No commercially available millwork was an exact match to colonial era millwork and it had to be exact. Alot of stuff we would reproduce with hand planes and chisels and such ,grind a cabinet scraper to match a profile ,effectively whittling the piece. It got done!
Great ideas. The profile have to be common from that period. This whole neighborhood was built over a span of a few years. Salvage centers or millwork shops sound like good possibilities. I'm in Brooklyn and it's been impossible to find someone interested in taking on such a small task. I'm sure they're out there. I just have't connected to the right community. I have had luck in Philly with other projects (even old lime plaster work) so searching for window restoration in Philly sounds like a good idea.
In Philadelphia there is a firm that only does restoration of old windows.I dont have there name handy but will try to chase it up if necessary
As for me I would use a set of hollows and rounds to make the part.Assuming it is pine,it would be a sinch.
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