Replies

1. 
   DonStephan | May 25, 2002 05:36am | #1

   Probably the biggest problem was that, since I was mitering the corners of the edging, I glued on all four edges at once. When it was time to flush trim, there are usually two pieces of edging against either the fence (my approach) or against the table top (your interesting idea). The two edges would be the side being trimmed and either the leading or trailing perpendicular end. In hindsight, if only opposite sides glued on, flush trimming would probably be much more effective.

1. 
   jase | Jun 04, 2002 07:12am | #2

   Clamp your piece vertically to the side of your bench. Align the top edge of your piece with the top of the table so your table will give your router base support. The clamps  have to be long enough to span the entire the width of your bench.Chuck your bottom bearing bit in your router and go. The downside to this method is that you will have to clamp your piece twice for each surface of each edge. Hope your workbench isn't attached to the wall.

   Jase--Is there a better way?

2. 
   forestgirl | Jun 07, 2002 06:14am | #3

   Hi Don, I ran across this jig for trimming edging in Methods of Work in Issue #150 (pg. 16). Thought I'd toss it out here in case it might help:

   View Image

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

1. 
   cuttoff | Jun 08, 2002 07:02am | #4

   I appoligize cuz I didnt go back and read all the other posts but my flush trim bit has a bearing and it is about 1/32" shy of flush. Sand to finish and you are done. Did I miss something here? Expressions Fine Wood Working and Cabinetry..A division of Schefer Engineering Inc., Santa Rosa, Ca.

2. 
   jase | Jun 08, 2002 04:29pm | #6

   This jig scares me. Do you really hold the router with one hand or is it fastened to the platform.

   Jase

1. 
   forestgirl | Jun 08, 2002 09:37pm | #7

   I'll summarize the directions (details to be found in Issue #150, page 16).  Install a flush trim bit in the router.  The stop on the back of the platform keeps the bit centered in the slot.  Clamp the plywood in a vertical position.  Use your left hand to hold the jig's fence against hte plywood.  The flush-trim bit rides on the right side of the plywood.  "Push the jig away from you while exerting a little pressure on the router to keep the bit bearing against the plywood."

   Obviously, you wouldn't want to use this jig with a 3.5HP plunge router!  It's being shown in the diagram with what appears to be about a 1HP or 1.5HP smaller router.  It appears that the top of the handle protects against the router tipping to the left.  There's pressure being exerted at the front by the bar (or stop).  As long as the user's sober and paying attention,  I think it's probably an OK jig.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

3. 
   byhammerandhand | Jun 11, 2002 07:36pm | #10

   Jere Cary in "Make Your Own Kitchen Cabinets" has a jig similar to this.  It has a fence to ride the edge and a bridge to clear the untrimmed side and clear the chips on the other.  It's sort of like a special-purpose sub-base that rides on the wide side and trims perpendicular to the edging.  Another data point.

   Don't have a scanner, see if ASCII art works:

      +-------+   |       |   |Router |+--------------------------+|   | U  +-----------------++---+

3. 
   del505 | Jun 08, 2002 08:10am | #5

   Don,

   I think that forest girls jig is a great idea for getting the edging flush but I know that there always seems to be a little trimming here & there. I've tried lots of methods. Even using my #4 as suggested which works great but every once in a while I would go through that ever thinning veneer. I've found  the best thing for me is a delicate touch and my stanley #80 cabinet scraper.

                                                                        Good luck,

                                                                                             Del

4. 
   wallygs | Jun 10, 2002 06:20am | #8

   I have used a simple jig that require an aux. plate to be fastened to the bottom of the router ( I.E. -3/4" melamine works good) This rides on the workpiece and you adjust the 3/4" router bit down to trim the edging. Afterwards you can use a cab. scraper or random orbit sander to finish and smooth. ( See diagram )

   Cheers! Wally.

   
1. 
   DonStephan | Jun 10, 2002 02:40pm | #9

   Wally: Thanks for an excellent suggestion! As often the case, I was thinking too narrowly, only in terms of a flush trimming bit. Don