Replies

1. 
   Dave45 | Jul 19, 2004 04:23pm | #1

   I've never tried to modify a router or shaper bit but I'm sure it's possible - people make custom molding cuttters all the time.

   If I were doing this, I think I'd take a high speed steel bit to a machine shop and see if they could reshape and resharpen it to match your desired profile.

2. 
   jackplane | Jul 19, 2004 04:52pm | #2

   Short of that, you could create a plaster molding using a sheet metal for the guide, then seal it with shellac and vacuum-press veneer to it.

3. 
   KeithNewton | Jul 19, 2004 05:36pm | #3

   I have made many shaper cutters, and altered a few router bits. I am not sure how small you are needing. If you are talking about a small router bit, I usually do that by eye. If you make a little pattern of what you are trying to achieve, you can grind a little until you sneak up on the shape. Keep in mind that both sides don't have to be exactly the same profile. Each cuttler will cut with the portion of cutter that is longer than the other. If you cut a little wood with it, you can tell which part of each is cutting by close inspection with magnification. Balance is always important, you will know if it is unacceptable as soon as you turn on the router.

   As you get larger, I use the bevel edge shaper cutters which consist of two removable knife blanks captured between the collars on their top and bottom edges.

   I usually make a plastic laminate pattern and scribe that into the machinist dye which I have painted onto the face of the knives. Balance is very important once you start getting larger, so you will need to get a balance scale which will weigh as fine as .1 gram. These can be found cheap at school supply stores.

   You can get everything else that you will need from Memphis Machine. a 1-800-388-4485. If they will send you a catalog, you can learn all you need and more.

   I hope this helps, now go for it.K

1. 
   foose89 | Jul 19, 2004 06:18pm | #4

   Thanks to all to have responded so far.. keep'em coming. Rootburl, where would one find a beveled edge shaper cutter and/or head?

4. 
   hammer1 | Jul 19, 2004 08:21pm | #5

   Rootburl is talking about what are called loose wing shaper cutters. You will have a hard time finding them on the web or at any of your typical woodworking stores. Today they are made with cogs that fit the collars. This is how cabinetmakers make restoration moldings or special profiles. The process requires special skills and if working carbide, special tools. I don't think they will be available for spindles smaller than 1".

   Doing miniature work on full size machines is always challenging. The site below has some molding heads for table saw and shaper but they are expensive. Looks like you could reshape the inserts. Having a molding head on a saw allows you to tip it which extends the shape possibilities. Sears used to carry a molding head that was inexpensive. I have seen others, Grizzly?

   Another thought is the Dremel or similar tool. You can get a router table for them and there are a variety of bits. Dremel has a set just for shaping, sanding and carving. For a few small pieces of molding it would be a less expensive than a molding head and a lot less scary than running 1/4" x 3/8" stock on a shaper.

   http://www.bladesllc.com/cuttermagicmoulder.html#Magic%20Molder

5. 
   Alan | Jul 20, 2004 03:13am | #6

   reepestien,

   Here I go again, the hand-tool fanatic.

   I don't know how much of this molding you're going to have to make, but if it's a small run you might consider using a scratch stock.

   With whatever power tools and bits you already have you can remove most of the waste and get close to the final profile.  A home-made scratch stock can easily take it from there.

   You can make a scratch stock out of an old saw blade, or card scraper, or any piece of similar steel.  Files, a grinder, A Dremel, or whatever metal-eating tools you have will easily make the final profile.  I have no doubt you can make yourself a first-rate holder/handle out of scraps and stuff already cluttering up you tools and benches.

   Cheap, easy to make, and easy to use are scratch stock's virtues.  You also will have the pride--and the bragging rights--of rolling your own.

   Alan

6. 
   hammer1 | Jul 21, 2004 04:48am | #7

   Just stumbled on this site, thought you might find it interesting.

   http://www.woodtechtooling.com/

7. 
   Midnight | Jul 21, 2004 11:01pm | #8

   I was browsing for cutter suppliers today and came across this...

   http://www.wealdentool.net/routers.html

   the second page of their cutters list mentions a miniature and modeling profiles.

   Mike Wallace

   Stay safe....Have fun