Replies

1. 
   TomCalisto | Jun 28, 2002 08:27pm | #1

   When confronted with blind slots for panels I will use a slot cutter. They can be stacked to produce various sized slots up to about 3/8" and they cut much faster and cleaner. Occasionally I encounter tear out with these cutters but that can be easily corrected by making a shallow (less than 3/16") climb cut followed by a full depth conventional cut. To set the depth of the groove you can adjust the router fence or play with different bearing to get the depth you need.

   Good luck

1. 
   jmdiii | Jun 28, 2002 08:32pm | #2

   Thanks for the idea. How can I make a stop-cut with a slot cutter?

   Jim

1. 
   EBrandt | Jun 28, 2002 08:54pm | #3

   I have successfully made lots of stopped slots in cherry using a 1/4" upcut spiral by whiteside using a router table + fence.  To me it seems like a straight cutter would clunk around on wood chips where the spiral spits them out.

   A slot cutter also sounds like a very plausible idea.

   Good luck.

   E.

1. 
   jmdiii | Jun 28, 2002 09:06pm | #4

   Makes a lot of sense. I have an upcut spiral bit on order. Have you found that you get any tear-out on the top edge when using the spiral bit?

   Jim

1. 
   EBrandt | Jun 28, 2002 09:14pm | #5

   I was doing a stopped cut/slot from one mortise to another, and on the 12 slots I cut that way on my desk, I didn't get any tearout anywhere. That's not a testimonial or advice, just my experience. YMMV.

   E.

2. 
   jmdiii | Jun 28, 2002 09:28pm | #6

   Thanks Eric. What does YMMV stand for?

   Jim

3. 
   EBrandt | Jun 28, 2002 09:32pm | #7

   your mileage may vary.

   E.

2. 
   TomCalisto | Jul 01, 2002 08:04pm | #9

   I am not sure what type of joinery you intend to use, I typically will use mortise and tenon joints when joining a frame and panel assembly. So in regards to your question I just run the slot from mortise to mortise. If you elect to use biscuits you will need to stop the slot short to avoid removing excess wood where the biscuit slot will be. As suggested by other posts an upcut spiral bit will do a nice job also, I'm just partial to the slot cutters for this application.

   Good luck,

   Tom

2. 
   quatersawn | Jun 29, 2002 01:51am | #8

   I've had great success with spiral cutters as well. I have moved most all of my router bits to 1/2 inch. It's much more stable to use. As for making stop cuts with a slot cutter, you'll need to stop short, and then hand chisel out the rest, or set up another run to mill the remainder of the slot with a spiral cutter. Being able to have the wood face down and not on edge is a big advantage to minimizing the tear out. Good luck.