Routing a screen spline dado on a curve
I would like to rout a screen spline dado (1/8″ wide x 1/8″ deep +/-) in a piece of curved sash about 1 1/2″ wide. I was thinking of fabricating and attaching a matching curved fence for the router table – is that reasonable or is there a better way to follow the curve of the sash?
TIA
Jeff
Replies
How about a small hand held router using an edge guide with an added 'shoe' with it's edge formed to ride on, (and along)the curvature of the sash?
Secure the sash to a flat surface.
Also, to prevent the router from tipping, add a similarly thick (and parallel)' rail to the work bench to support the opposite side of the router's base.
Steinmetz
I certainly could do that but I already have the small router mounted in a table - I thought that would be less risky from the standpoint of maintaining a consistent distance from the edge of the sash - ??Jeff
You may be able to use the scrap you cut out for your router table fence. You could also use a section of it to attach to the hand held router plate, to act as a guide fence. I have a pic of an arched fence I used for stile and rail work. You would not need to bury the bit in the fence.Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
Yes, it would be sort of the reverse of that, with a concave section to the right of the bit in the normal fence position. I thought it would be easier to control the cut with the table than with the router over the work.
Jeff
How about a laminate trimmer with an edge guide
An 1/8" slotting cutter with the right sized bearing to only allow an 1/8" depth of cut.
I've done similar on the shaper without using a fence. Once I go larger/deeper, I use a piece of the off-cut or a piece of ply cut for the curve (as mentioned) and use it basically as a starting pin to get the piece started. Once started, you can simply use the bearing as the guide.
Most times I simply use a scratch stock to work the groove in. They don't have to be absolutely perfect.
Take care, Mike
Lee Valley has a router bit with a guide wheel on it that might work.
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&p=47818&cat=1,46168,46176&ap=1
I have used this for making a slot on drawers - but it meets your spec PERFECTLY. 1/8 groove, 1/8 deep.Good luck.
Gavin Pitchford
"Sail fast - live slow" (build even slower)
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled