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t slots

2K views 9 replies 7 participants last post by  Ghidrah 
#1 ·
Help! I'm trying to develop a sliding divider in a cigar box I'm making by using a t slot and a corresponding shape on the bottom of thin divider material. I plan on inserting the divider into the long axis of the slot and once seated rotate the divider 90 degrees. If snug enough, this should keep the divider upright and allow it to move laterally along the bottom of the box. My design does includes using less than a 3/4" bottom piece and most t slot bits are desined for 3/4" thick or more material. My questions are: Can I get a narrow t slot bit that will work in 3/8" - 1/2" material? If so, where? Also, is there a better way to design and build this sliding divider concept?
Thanks, Rod
 
#2 ·
Greetings and welcome to the router forum. Thank you for joining us.
 
#4 · (Edited)
key hole bits works the same way as a T-Slots bits...but smaller...
I will say I have cooked my share of key hole bits using them for t-slots but they are just the right size for the 1/2" slot for 1/4"- 5/16" hex bolts and square nuts and tee slot nuts..

Here's a snapshot of one of the slots put in with the key hole bit..


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#6 ·
Hi Rod, :) I'm having a bit of trouble visualizing just exactly what it is you are trying to do :confused: but it seems as though your idea hinges on having a sliding joint. I wonder if a sliding dovetail would work for you?
 
#7 ·
John,

I think a shallow sliding dovetail is where I was going and probably where I will end up but the dividers are only 1/4" thick and the depth of the bottom of the box is 1/2". Thus, I will have a shallow sliding dovetail (probably only a 1/4") and it will only be 1/4" wide. I'm not sure that it will be strong enough to last through multiple movements or fit tight enough to keep the divider upright.
 
#9 ·
HI Rob

I edit the bolts all the time just because of that :)

see below

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#10 ·
rjhansen,
Odds are you'll eventually snap the single "T" or dovetail slot with repeated lateral pressure, (tilting the top back from product) or torsional pressure from rotating the divider.
Have you considered running DT slots along the sides of the box? You could make them a tad looser to minimize DT snappage
 
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