Replies

1. 
   Woodwrkr | Jan 04, 2006 05:46am | #1

   There are many door companies out there that will make doors to your specs, both concave and convex.  I personally wouldn't waste your time or money on something you can order and have in a few weeks. 

2. 
   DougU | Jan 04, 2006 06:11am | #2

   JBD

   Are you talking about bow front doors?

   If so you need to bend your panels just like you did your drawer fronts.

   If you dont have a vacume then you need to build a jig to bend the panels in. Make sure you cut the panel material(laminates) thin enough so that springback is minimal. This will depend on your radius.

   Sounds like you have this part down, you mentioned that you did it for bow front drawers.

   When I have to raise a bowed panel I make a sled type jig with the radius to match the panel. The jig can sometimes be made from your glue up jig. If you plan it out you can do it that way and save some time.

   You want this jig to mount to your router/shaper table so that all you have to do is take your panel and slide/pass it past the cutter (with the jig secured in place). Thats how you raise the two bowed sides.

   The two strait sides; Just build up under the one side so that your panel(or at least the part that is being profiled) stays parallel to the table.

   I'll try to sketch a pic if you dont follow what I'm thinking. I can do it but not explain it!

   Doug

    

1. 
   JBDesigns | Jan 04, 2006 06:27am | #3

   Thanks Doug,

      That's a big help.  Would you also rip the vertical stiles at a slight angle to mimick the bow of the rails?  

      Making a pair of clamping cauls is kind of a pain.  I am sure that a vacuum press would save tons of time.  Well, half.

      Justin

1. 
   DougU | Jan 04, 2006 06:43am | #4

   Justin

   The vacuum is so nice but you can do it with out it. You still have to make a jig if you do it in the bag, it just does so much better of a job clamping.

   I don't think I'd do anything different with the styles, unless you have a really tight radius.

   Here is a quick sketch of what I was talking about. Don't know if you can make out what I'm inferring.

   Obviously you'd need to cut out an area for the cutter and then make sure that you can get the cutter up high enough. I've done this maybe 30 times and always had good luck doing it this way. You just have to fiddle around with it and do 100 dry runs before the big one. Its no fun re-making the damn panels.

   I can do this much easier then I can explain it!!!

   Doug

    

   
1. 
   JBDesigns | Jan 04, 2006 07:34am | #5

   Doug,

      Thanks again.  I currently use a vertical panel bit but will pick up a horizontal one for this purpose.  Mounting the jig upright would be too tricky. 

      Really, thanks for the response and the sketch.  They will help a lot.  I am running a business out of Salem, Massachusetts but I only have so much experience under my belt.  Thanks for the tips. 

   Justin

    

1. 
   DougU | Jan 04, 2006 02:22pm | #6

   Justin

   You can do this with a vertical bit as well. Make your fence the jig and run the panel past it that way. Then when you get ready to do the two strait sides you have to make something to hold the ends up just as you would on the horizontal bit.

   I've seen it done and I don't know that it really makes it any more complicated. You may need to make multiple passes but that's probably OK.

   Remember the dry runs, need to be able to foresee any potential problems!

   Doug