I recently made my first drop leaf table. I used a cove and round over bit to make the routed edges for the drop leaf but the fit is just not perfect. Is there any benefit to buying a “set” of two bits specifically for drop leaf tables? Or, what is the trick to getting a perfect fit of the two edges?
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Replies
If your bits match for size, then your only variables are router setup and hinge placement.
If your joint fits together well without the hinge, your router setup is OK. Just make sure your bead is cut low enough that you can set the hinge properly.
Hinge placement is the most critical point. You want the joint to close up nicely with the leaf up, but as you drop the leaf, you want the leaf to move away a bit for clearance.
The hinge pin needs to be at the same height as the center of the bead radius, and just a little to the outside, depending on how much clearance you want to develop. I set mine out about 1/32". Some will use less.
Michael R
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