routing mdf

The best way to have the basics right is to begin by making some simple templates. Probably the most difficult element of template routing is making the template itself. All of the information about the ultimate shape you intend to rout should really be encoded in the look of the template. The more accurately a template is manufactured, the additional time will soon be saved in the long run. In this way less time will soon be spent in sanding, fitting and fudging later in the manufacturing process.

Sawing, rasping and filing are time intensive and tedious to way to produce templates. It is also difficult to produce a perfect curve with hand tools. Accurate templates are most easily created using sanders and routers. routing mdf

Templates should really be dimensionally stable, durable and effective at taking the fine details. Wooden is really a poor choice for templates since it isn't dimensionally stable. While steel is stable and durable in the event that you accidentally touch a spinning bit to a template created from steel, you will likely wreck the bit and the template. Acrylic is transparent and enables visibility of the work beneath but a slow bearing can generate enough heat from friction to melt a template made from acrylic. Although all of these materials can be utilized, Medium-Density Fibreboard (MDF) is probably your best option and indicates to produce great results.

Templates For Repeatable Shapes

A furniture maker might manage to produce a single curved shape like a cosmetic shelf support, using a scroll saw and an oscillating sander, just as fast as using a template router. But this may only be an original occurrence. If the method will be repeated template routing will soon be easier and faster. A modem bit leaves a much smoother edge when compared to a scroll saw and the edge will need a loss less sanding. Make the template using smooth gradual curves on MDF, by sanding to layout lines on a stationary belt sander. routing acrylic

For this kind of work it is easier to use a straight bit with a collar guide because you can adjust the cutting depth to fit the thickness of the shelf support stock. Collar guides will displace the cut from the actual edge of the template. With straight lines this merely entails positioning the template at the offset distance from the layout line so your layout lines are just as straight.

Curves are a bit different. A collar is likely to make the bit cut a slightly larger radius on outside curves and smaller radius on inside curves. The effect would have been a finished piece slightly different from the template, although not consequential. To get where the bit will actually cut, run a pencil in a loose bearing with exactly the same offset since the collar over the template to draw the layout line.

Cutting Shallow Mortises and Tapers on Small Pieces

Cutting shallow mortises which are clean and evenly deep such as those for butt hinges is a hard task with traditional tools. A modem guided with a template can give more accurate cuts faster and with less variation. Router stability on the template is essential to a precise and safe cut. A modem that wobbles with a lot of cutter engaged can break the cutter, tear the stock and template as well as result in a kickback that can cause the router to fall to the floor. The machinery has to remain flat and stable at all times.

Some workpieces are too small to rout safely if they are sandwiched between a workbench and template. For instance to taper legs for a coffee table you are able to build a template that holds the workpiece set up with toggle clamps. Guide blocks can be utilized to put the medial side and end of the leg leaving room enough to their rear to clamp the template inverted to a workbench edge. To acquire a smooth taper, the guide blocks must be secured at the desired angle in relation to the edge of the template. Since the router follows the edge, it cuts the taper angle of the blocks in the leg. Know more

Utilizing a template frees the woodworker from following the edge of the workpiece. The router becomes effective at two more fundamental woodworking tasks: joinery and milling repeatable patterns. The original investment of time to produce a template for an accurate task is really worth it. Your router will perform the job faster and a lot more reliably than other tools can.