I am using a template for a chair back and it is driving me fits! The grain direction is such that I am getting tear out when I use my flush trim router bit. I’ve had to resort to using hand planes, cabinet scrapers, and scrapers–really slow work.
Does anyone know of a flush trim sanding drum? You know, a 1-3 inch diameter sanding drum with a bearing on the top so it rides against a template?
Regards,
Scooter
“I may be drunk, but you’re crazy, and I’ll be sober tomorrow.” WC Fields, “Its a Gift” 1934
Replies
They're fairly easy to find. Do a google search for RoboSander. I'm pretty sure that's the marketing name they use. Can't remember for sure where I bought my set - possibly Eagle ?
If you build it he will come.
Edited 12/29/2005 6:04 pm ET by douglas2cats
Thanks!!Regards, Scooter"I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow." WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1934
You could use a regular drum with a disc the same diameter fastened to the table under the drum.
What kind of wood are you working with? Tearout can also happen if the router bit is dull or you're taking too much of a cut. I like to do template work with 1/16" (max) cuts.
Do you have a spindle sander or are you using a drill press? Here's the link for a Robo Sanders.
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
Try a spiral flush trim bit. There will likely be less tearout as they are ment to do a sheer cut instead of a chopping cut.
Garry
http://www.superwoodworks.com
Yeah, I had heard about spiral flush trimmers by Pasa forget the last name. Expensive, but smooth as a baby's bottom. I have a large router, router table, and drill press but not a spindal sander. This particular wood is poplar, and I'm not very good at getting the cut a mere 16th outside the line.Regards, Scooter"I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow." WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1934
Whoa, poplar should be pretty easy to rout. Slow the bit down and take less off?
Instead of a spiral bit, which are solid carbide, you could try a shear angle bit. They aren't so expensive. "Instead of chopping at the wood fibers at a 90ยบ angle, the shear angle design allows for a smoother shear angle, slicing cut. Use this bit to eliminate tear-out problems from routing end or cross grain on very hard woods." Here's a link at MLCS, scroll half-way down the page.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
Well, after a month, I finally figured this out.
First, the larger diameter, the less chance for tear out. So a larger diameter flush trim bit worked wonders. Apparently the angle of the carbide knife is such on larger diameter trimmers that it has less tear out.
Second, I found a helix type flush trimmer from Amana with a 3/4 inch bearing.
This resulted in a smooth as glass trim.
I went through:
One half inch flush trim bit. Way too much tear out. It goes back in the router drawer, never to be used again. $30 down the drain. Sigh.
One flush trim micro planer used in a dril press. The bearing and cutting edge had a quarter inch gap so that nothing less than a 3/4 inch template works on the thing. Toss another tool into the scrap box. $30 down the drain. Sigh.
Robo Sander type flush trim tool from Woodworker's supply. Again, a large gap between the bearing and sanding surface is suitable only for three quarter inch templates. I bought the whole set up with different grits and extra paper. $75 down the drain.
Trial and Error is expensive.
Regards,
Scooter
"I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow." WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1934
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