Replies

1. 
   georgek | Feb 04, 2005 02:06am | #1

   Do you intend to hollow out all the way through? I think it's safer to use a drill press with a forsner bit and square up with a chisel. Could also use a hand held drill if you clamp the piece to your bench.

1. 
   Yogi | Feb 04, 2005 04:59am | #4

   Actually, all I'm thinking of is hollowing out a box within the cube, leaving one side of the cube open and the walls a uniform thinkness- 

2. 
   JohnWW | Feb 04, 2005 02:08am | #2

   Dave,

   A few details of what you are trying to accomplish would help. 

   This is DEFINITELY not an operation to be attempted freehand or you might end up hollowing out your hand instead of the block.

   John W.

1. 
   Yogi | Feb 04, 2005 03:40am | #3

   John-  Thanks-  That "this is definitely not" was the realization which brought me to pose the question on the site-  Got it-  (Actually, it wasn't quite freehand-)  But what would be the general approach to squaring the inside of a 3" X 3" X 3" wooden cube, creating a box within the cube?  Thanks for your response-

3. 
   forestgirl | Feb 04, 2005 08:05am | #5

   I would use a Forstner bit to do most of it.  Finish up with a straight bit in a plunge router.  I would NOT use the router table for the operation.  I've recently been hollowing out a mere 1/8" recess in some 3/4" thick squares and can testify how dangerous it is.  A 3" tall cube would be an invitation to disaster. 

   How deep into the cube are you going to go? 

   [PS:  During both the drilling and the routering processes, I'd anchor that puppy but good.]

   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" .... :>) 

   
   

   ---

   Edited 2/4/2005 12:06 am ET by forestgirl

1. 
   Yogi | Feb 04, 2005 08:41am | #6

   "invitation to disaster".......  it did get sort of hectic there for a few minutes before I decided to pose a question about it on the site-  I did read some of your missives re your own project-  How'd it turn out?

   I was hoping to go about 2 1/2 inches deep, leaving a 1/2 inch wall all round-  It isn't important in itself , but I certainly became interested in "a better way"-  Thanks for your thoughts-

1. 
   forestgirl | Feb 04, 2005 09:05am | #7

   Hi Dave.  You shouldn't have any problem finding a router bit that will clean up that 2.5" hollow.  I've been learning alot about various mortising/straight/dado bits lately, LOL!

   My little project is coming along.  I had to live with a specimen for a few days, and show it to a couple people, before I was confident the balance was right.  Lost 4 days over the weekend, what with hubby being home, but I'm back at it.  Bought a bushing set for the router, and tomorrow will work on getting a template made.  I've never done any template routing before, so it's a new experience.  May have to spend some time cleaning the plunge router too -- action isn't very smooth for some reason.

   Eagle America and MLCS have a plunge design I haven't seen by any of the other makers such as CMT or Amana -- it has a carbide cutting edge straight across the bottom.  They also make a bearing-piloted bit that's designed to clean out the sides and bottoms of dados, might work well for your cube.  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" .... :>) 

1. 
   Yogi | Feb 04, 2005 09:32am | #8

   Thanks for the router bit pointer-  See what I can find-  I wonder why they don't just design a dado that doesn't require a bit to clean up afterward?