I’m trying to figure out a way to cut about a 1/4-1/2″ “slot” in an s-shaped piece of oak, which is the underside of the top of a headboard, so a headboard panel will fit into it. Of course, due to the shape, I can’t run it vertically on a routing table, and there’s no way I’m free-handing it.
Is there any way other than buying a rabbeting bit or slot cutting bit to run it horizontally? My “shop” is fairly limited, as is my budget, and apparantly imagination as well. I can’t think of anything.
Thanks!
Michael
Replies
First off welcome to Knots. Now my suggestion for your slotting problem.
If your are willing to make an attachment, your router and straight bit are all you need. Your router table is the basic principal.
Instead of a flat table with the bit poking through as it exists now, you need the top to have a concave curve (hump) with a radius less than the inside curve of the headboard. (Depending on the curve you can either add the hump to the existing table or make a quick an dirty table out of scrap.) The wood then touches a "line" across the concave table with the straight bit cutting the slot. (In several passes please.) You control the wood to bit position, by raising and lowering the ends of the board as it is feed over the router. A single fence will work, but if you want concentrate on just the feeding then use two fences to create a slot that the board stands in. Two fences also have the benefit of not caring which way the stock is feed, so you can start in the middle of the board and work out to the ends.
A smaller version can be made as a replacement for the base plate of the router and hand feed along the headboard if you prefer. Make one of the fences tall/deep enough to put a knob/handle on it for more control. One hand is on the router by the switch and the other below on the fence opposite side of the bit.
If there is a problem making a curved base, substitute a pair of narrow sticks placed on either side of the router bit for 2 point contact, but exercise care at the ends of the slot.
Edited 5/7/2006 2:35 pm by QCInspector
If you have a jig saw....(or even a cheap coping saw)
Clamp ####flat board to your headboard, take a pencil and transfer the outline of the headboard to your clamped board. Take it into your shop and cut out what you need from that board to make a template for your router. If you need a top and bottom template, turn the template already made upside down, transfer that outline to a second board and cut it out. Now you have what you need to router your slot by hand. If you don't own a plunge router, drill a hole that is slightly larger than your router bit into the wood where you want to start your slot. With the router turned off, place your router bit into your drilled hole and then start your router-carefully. If you need to, have a helper turn on your router so you have full control of it with both hands on the handles.
Santa Barbara,CA
I hate to tell you to part with some of your cash stash, Michael, but I think you would find many uses for a slotting bit, this being one.
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
I sure know the funds tight feeling, But for under $20 you can get a pretty fair Rabbet bit from http://www.pricecutter.com I really feel it would be your best bet, a pretty safe and quick way put that slot in the rail.
Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!
Bruce S.
Yeah...I think y'all are right. If I've learned anything in my embryonic state of woodworking, it's the importance of using the right tools for the job. Better to invest in a $20 bit which I'll have forever than ruin a $20 piece of stock and be back at square one.
I went out and stared at my routing table and stock and junk laying around and really couldn't envision a method to build a "hump" through which I could run a routing bit, with fence, much less two, and not cause a disaster.
I'm ordering the bit. Thanks for the link!
Michael
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