Whats the best way to cut the 3/8 ” lip around a birch plywood door? First I ran the door on edge over the table saw blade raised 3/8″ and 3/8″ from the fence. Then I placed the door flat on the table and was about to push it over the blade when I thought I shouldn’t allow the 3/8″ piece to cut off between the blade and fence. I then moved the fence the width of the door away and cut the piece off to the outside. Any danger in cutting that 3/8″ lip off when its between the blade and fence? Maybe I should first push the door on the flat over the blade and then stand the door on edge to make the final cut? Or should I install a dado cutter to make this 3/8″ rabbet? Also, is a rounding over bit in a router the best way to round over the front edges of this plywood door? Thanks for your help.
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Replies
Rick, You can make this cut on the tablesaw, with the skinny 3/8 piece (the offcut) between the blade and the fence, but the piece will usually get pinched between the blade and fence and, after the cut is finished, come shooting forward and end up on the floor, a few feet in front of the saw. If you do it this way, just stand to the side out of the line of fire. If you cut it this way, either use a tall fence or make the last cut with the door flat on the table.
An alternative way, and I think a better way, is to use a router and a bit called a "door lip cutter". It cuts a 3/8" X 3/8" rabbet in the door edge. Also, it cuts one edge slightly beveled instead of straight 90 degrees. Gary
Rick12 ,
I've cut 3/8" lip doors with shaper cutters , dado blades , router bits as well as on the TS and even on the jointer . The TS is my choice in most cases even though some kerf marks will be left . The shaper or router will leave a cleaner cut .Whatever you feel more comfortable with . In general a 3/8" lip is not used on fine furniture .
When using the TS as said stand to the side and away from the line of fire . Or use an auxiliary fence that has clearance off the table and a space for the off cuts to go without shooting back .
hope this helps dusty
I disagree with your comment that 3/8" lip doors are not used on fine furniture. I have made highboys, lowboys and many pieces of reproduction 18th & 19th century furniture and a great percentage have 1/4" to 3/8" lip drawers & doors.
You are certainly correct on the period pieces , I suppose many if not the majority had flush inset and some may have had overlay as well as lipped .
My opinion was based on ,,,,,,,,
How much new / now made fine pieces have lipped doors and such ?
no disrespect meant to any period lippers out there
dusty
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