Replies

1. 
   jgaiennie | Jan 16, 2003 05:57pm | #1

   Scott,

   You're right, a twitch could be very disappointing.  You could try using a router table with featherboard to hold the piece solidly while routing.  Or if you want, you can rig a fence / guide on your router - even both sides to be sure that your twitching problem won't adversly effect your fine work.  Also, you must consider the ends of your grooves must all be precisely even.  Figure out your router stop block at the ends before you get there, or you're almost certainly going to have some grooves different lengths from the others.  Further, you probably will get a better job if you cut partial depth on first pass and finish up with a shallow cut.

   jdg

2. 
   jeffn7 | Jan 16, 2003 08:33pm | #2

   you could make a template out of 1/4" hardboard and find a corebox bit with a top mounted guide bearing.

3. 
   davamoore | Jan 16, 2003 11:36pm | #3

   I have this, the Veritas Beading Tool from Garrett Wade:

   View Image

   http://www.garrettwade.com/jump.jsp?lGen=detail&itemID=101987&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=0&iSubCat=0&iProductID=101987

   Works great... of course, the Lie-Nielsen would be nice, but there's that cost thing...  Anyway, the danger of making an error -- as when using a router -- is much less.  I slipped once using a router on a very nice tabletop that had taken me hours to put together... it wasn't pretty -- and never again.

   David

   Look, I made a hat -- Where there never was a hat!

   
   

   ---

   Edited 1/16/2003 3:38:01 PM ET by davamoore

4. 
   johnhardy | Jan 17, 2003 12:06am | #4

   I've done something similar and I built a jig for the column and used it easily. The jig held the column very tightly, it was easy to put stops so that each different flute (in my case I wanted flutes) was exactly the same length as the prior flute, etc.

   When using a router you want to make sure that you always have the base oriented the same so that the router bit cuts identically. A good trick is to put a piece of blue tape on the base and always have that piece up against the fence you use as a guide.

   If I'd had a router table at the time it would have been even easier.

   John

5. 
   rslatm | Jan 19, 2003 08:41pm | #5

   I've done it many different ways but prefer a moulding head in a table saw. A CNC router would work well but is probably overkill on the budget.