PR

Pieter Ruiter

23/01/2004 2:23 PM

Cutting slot in table edge?

I need to cut a slot into an existing table top to apply a hardwood edge,
either with a spline or tongue/groove the hardwood. The tabletop is 1 1/2"
thick, so the slot could be 1/4 inch or bigger. I plan to use a slot cutter
with handheld router for this - but is this safe? How to I prevent tipping
the router base? Apply an aux base with a longer side over the tabletop?
Any advice will make me feel safer...


Pieter


This topic has 4 replies

Sk

"Swingman"

in reply to Pieter Ruiter on 23/01/2004 2:23 PM

23/01/2004 8:36 AM

http://www.patwarner.com/offset_subbase.html

... or make your own.

--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 1/16/04

"Pieter Ruiter" wrote in message
> I need to cut a slot into an existing table top to apply a hardwood edge,
> either with a spline or tongue/groove the hardwood. The tabletop is 1 1/2"
> thick, so the slot could be 1/4 inch or bigger. I plan to use a slot
cutter
> with handheld router for this - but is this safe? How to I prevent tipping
> the router base? Apply an aux base with a longer side over the tabletop?
> Any advice will make me feel safer...

MB

"Mitch Berkson"

in reply to Pieter Ruiter on 23/01/2004 2:23 PM

23/01/2004 10:09 AM

Are you sure you need to do this? Perhaps you could just glue and clamp the
edge on.

Mitch Berkson


Pieter Ruiter wrote:
> I need to cut a slot into an existing table top to apply a hardwood
> edge, either with a spline or tongue/groove the hardwood. The
> tabletop is 1 1/2" thick, so the slot could be 1/4 inch or bigger. I
> plan to use a slot cutter with handheld router for this - but is this
> safe? How to I prevent tipping the router base? Apply an aux base
> with a longer side over the tabletop? Any advice will make me feel
> safer...
>
>
> Pieter



MN

MattH

in reply to Pieter Ruiter on 23/01/2004 2:23 PM

23/01/2004 3:18 PM

Pieter Ruiter <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:

> I need to cut a slot into an existing table top to apply a hardwood
> edge, either with a spline or tongue/groove the hardwood. The tabletop
> is 1 1/2" thick, so the slot could be 1/4 inch or bigger. I plan to
> use a slot cutter with handheld router for this - but is this safe?
> How to I prevent tipping the router base? Apply an aux base with a
> longer side over the tabletop? Any advice will make me feel safer...
>
>
> Pieter
>

You didn't say how wide the edge is but could you use biscuits instead
of a spline? If it's not very wide then maybe you could just glue it on
with no mechanical fastener.

Otherwie..

If you're using one of these:

http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/smarthtml/pages/bt
_slot.html

then it should be reasonably safe and easy to cut the slot. You could
get one of those offset router bases if you want:

http://shop.woodcraft.com/Woodcraft/product_family.asp?family%5Fid=3778
&gift=False&mscssid=05014B7F238684BD28CF0EA8545A2046

But it's not really necessary. It won't tip if you're careful. It
would be nice to be able to cut that 1/4" in two passes. Maybe get two
bits, 1/8" and 1/4".

Matt

JD

"James D Kountz"

in reply to Pieter Ruiter on 23/01/2004 2:23 PM

23/01/2004 7:16 PM

You're right on track, a wider base adds a nice level of insurance against
tipping and gives you a better grip to boot.

See you knew the answer already!

Jim


"Pieter Ruiter" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I need to cut a slot into an existing table top to apply a hardwood edge,
> either with a spline or tongue/groove the hardwood. The tabletop is 1 1/2"
> thick, so the slot could be 1/4 inch or bigger. I plan to use a slot
cutter
> with handheld router for this - but is this safe? How to I prevent tipping
> the router base? Apply an aux base with a longer side over the tabletop?
> Any advice will make me feel safer...
>
>
> Pieter


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