Hello,
Maybe someone can help me with this. I'm trying to cut 7" squares, 3/8"
deep in a pine board
that is 38" long. I recently got a Ryobi fixed base with it's own bench
table. I tried to do these squares free hand, but when I'm routing the
inside of the square, there's no way to keep it level.
I've routed out the insides of the squares, but I get gouges on the bottom
because router dips when I run off the edges. I guess I need some sort of
jig, but really don't know how to make it.
If I used the router in the table, it would be routing blind. Don't know
how to use this either.
The fence on the table seems to be off an 1/8th of an inch. Tried to get
the fence even and pushed it back to 3". One side is right at 3", but other
side is 3" and an 1/8". Is it supposed to be like this? Any suggestions on
how to cut out these squares? I would appreciate any help you could offer.
Thanks, Pat

Pat,

Here is a link to the router forum. Look under "How to route 10" squares"
for some ideas. The members here are a BIG help in router usage. Please
sign up and visit often.

http://routerforums.com/



"psmrmn" wrote in message
...
Hello,
Maybe someone can help me with this. I'm trying to cut 7" squares, 3/8"
deep in a pine board
that is 38" long. I recently got a Ryobi fixed base with it's own bench
table. I tried to do these squares free hand, but when I'm routing the
inside of the square, there's no way to keep it level.
I've routed out the insides of the squares, but I get gouges on the bottom
because router dips when I run off the edges. I guess I need some sort of
jig, but really don't know how to make it.
If I used the router in the table, it would be routing blind. Don't know
how to use this either.
The fence on the table seems to be off an 1/8th of an inch. Tried to get
the fence even and pushed it back to 3". One side is right at 3", but
other
side is 3" and an 1/8". Is it supposed to be like this? Any suggestions
on
how to cut out these squares? I would appreciate any help you could
offer.
Thanks, Pat

psmrmn wrote:

Hello,
Maybe someone can help me with this. I'm trying to cut 7" squares, 3/8"
deep in a pine board that is 38" long. ...
I tried to do these squares free hand, but when I'm routing the
inside of the square, there's no way to keep it level.
I've routed out the insides of the squares, but I get gouges on the bottom
because router dips when I run off the edges. I guess I need some sort of
jig, but really don't know how to make it.
....

For this all you need is an additional support the same thickness as the
stock and a fence (or two at right angles to make it even more
precise)...then the base of the router can just slide right of the edge
of the workpiece and remain flat and run against the fence(s) to produce
a straight edge(s).

"Duane Bozarth" wrote in message
...
psmrmn wrote:

For this all you need is an additional support the same thickness as the
stock and a fence (or two at right angles to make it even more
precise)...then the base of the router can just slide right of the edge
of the workpiece and remain flat and run against the fence(s) to produce
a straight edge(s).

Duane,

I don't think that addresses routing out the middle of a square which is
basically the size of the router base. He's not concerned about the edges.

Bob

BillyBob wrote:

"Duane Bozarth" wrote in message
...
psmrmn wrote:

For this all you need is an additional support the same thickness as the
stock and a fence (or two at right angles to make it even more
precise)...then the base of the router can just slide right of the edge
of the workpiece and remain flat and run against the fence(s) to produce
a straight edge(s).

Duane,

I don't think that addresses routing out the middle of a square which is
basically the size of the router base. He's not concerned about the edges.

Bob

Why not???...just start in the middle and work to the outside instead of
inside out...

But, if he can't seem to control the router by keeping one side on the
outer/non-routed edge, then make a larger sub-base...

"Duane Bozarth" wrote in message
...

Why not???...just start in the middle and work to the outside instead of
inside out...

Gotcha.

Bob

BillyBob wrote:

"Duane Bozarth" wrote in message
...

Why not???...just start in the middle and work to the outside instead of
inside out...

Gotcha.

Actually, to be more precise, the way I'd approach it would be to do a
single pass around the outside (against the fences as I described
earlier) then start at one side and work across. This provides a clean
edge first then keeps the most material for a bearing surface possible
plus gives clearance at the ends so you don't get small "divots" along
the edge coming against the fence over and over...

Actually I'm rather fascinated to know where all this is heading.
Maybe we'll get a pic of the finished project?

FoggyTown

"psmrmn" wrote in message
...
Hello,
Maybe someone can help me with this. I'm trying to cut 7" squares, 3/8"
deep in a pine board
(snip)
----------------
How about this:

Use two fixed fences and two sliding fences as well as one filler piece.

(3/8" stuff is not that available here as we are all metric, but 9mm is just
a little shy of that. If you can make the filler piece any thickness you
want then you can have any depth you want. So I've used 9mm as an example
only)

Use 9mm MDF and cut 2 strips wide enough to support your router and long
enough to provide a 'slide' entry for the moving fences. Stick them down
with double-sided tape excately on the edge lines of two opposing sides of
the square. Cut two more pieces 7" wide (or just a little less) and long
enough to span the whole 7", from either side, and still be clamped without
obstructing your router, these will be the sliding fences. Cut one filler
piece the same width as the sliders but about 1.5", or so, long (this is to
stop any possibility of the slider sagging once a portion has been routed).
Position the sliders such that you are bang up on one side and some distance
off with the other that creates a 'window' that your router can easily span,
clamp sliders down. Use a suitable bearing guided bit, chomp out the wood in
the window until required depth is attained. Remove sliding fences. Drop
filler into newly chomped hole, resposition sliding fences and repeat until
done.

"gandalf" wrote in message
...

Use 9mm MDF and cut 2 strips wide enough to support your router and long
enough to provide a 'slide' entry for the moving fences. Stick them down
with double-sided tape excately on the edge lines of two opposing sides of
the square.

I tried to follow the directions and now I have double-sided tape stuck to
my eyebrows and MDF pieces stacked in a pile. I think this is one of those
"you had to see it yourself" explanations. I'll re-read again after a
couple of cups of coffee. The old brain isn't too smart this morning.

Bob

"gandalf" wrote in message
...

"psmrmn" wrote in message
...
Hello,
Maybe someone can help me with this. I'm trying to cut 7" squares, 3/8"
deep in a pine board
How about this:

Use two fixed fences and two sliding fences as well as one filler piece.

SNIP

Use a plywood template - easily made with the router and tacked-on
strips -for the outline. Cut the template with a collar/bit combo which
yields larger than 7" by the amount of difference in the collar you will use
for the clean rout. Climb direction holds the guide to the template.

Take the center out freehand by clamping/screwing two runners to your router
base and dropping the bit to the proper depth.