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Channel routing a hardwood tabletop

2382 Views 12 Replies 8 Participants Last post by  DaninVan, 
Austin13
I am planning to router a 1/8" x 1/8" channel in all the plank lines for my 5' x 3' x 3/4" Manganus Hardwood tabletop. The table top planks were glued and screwed together. I will be positioning my Bosch router to move along two clamped rails. I am worried about hardwood tear-out and/or breakage of the router bit while routing such a long channel. Is there anything I should be wary of while doing the channels with such small bit.

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difalkner
I doubt you'll get much tear out cutting with the grain and it looks like a good part of the groove is already in place. Use a downcut spiral bit and you'll reduce the tear out possibilities even more.

You'll be cutting with both sides of the bit, assuming you're using a 1/8" bit to cut the 1/8" channel. So one side will be climb cutting and the other will be conventional cutting; make sure your guide is on the correct side for the direction you'll move the router or it will try to walk away from the guide. Do a test on scrap if you're not sure.

David
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H
I think if I was going to rout an 1/8" slot freehand along the edge of a board like a tongue and groove, or a spline down the center of the edge, I would put a guide on both sides of the edge so as to center the bit and give it no reason to veer off to one side or the other.
Herb

If you are doing it down the jonts like the picture seems to show, then you have the right idea to use 2 guides.
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Nickp
Good approach...make sure there is no bowing in your guides...they need to be perfectly straight so as to minimize jamming or loose fit of the router base.

Wax the edge and face of the base so it's as smooth as can be.

Be careful of too much pressure against the guide...you may bow the guide towards the middle...let the bit do the work.

Test drive along several spots along the plank lines to make sure the bit is centered along the joint...it will otherwise exaggerate the error after the cut. You could use a V-bit to test the edge guide straightness.

Mark the base so you're always using the same face while you're cutting.

A V-bit would give the joint a nice look...just a thought...

Nice table...
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Austin13
Thank you all. I guess my description was slightly off. I will be moving the router base between the two rails (except the first groove). I will make sure I moves easily between them. Wax is a great idea. I will also sand and wax the rail guides. I like the idea a cutting the edges of the channel with slight v-bit cut first to minimize any tear out. I am planning to fill the the channels with turquoise sand and thin CA glue.
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Bstrom
Every one of those responses were spot on! Hardwood guides would be ideal too - I try to use scrap hardwood for router tables guides to hold accuracy. A running blank router test run will add some confidence to your cutting. Keep the cord free from snags and check extension cord travel too. You’ll do great!
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Austin13
Thank you everyone. All great comments and they cut down on the possibility of having Murphy's law cause a mistake. I also will test out on a scrap piece to learn what technique I need to use. Either good or bad I will post a result. Waiting for CA glue and router bits to arrive at my doorstep, so posting may take a while. Thank again.
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J
Looking good. Have you finished it, what epoxy did you use for a wood finish?
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Austin13
2
Thanks for everyone's advice. It all worked rather well and of course not perfect. I don't think my errors are noticeable. I ended going with 1/4" bit channel bit. Guided both sides except last one on the outside. I cut my own inlay pieces of pine and custom stained it aqua. The finish is Danish Oil which worked out well (thank you youtube). It will be a working art table so that will be easy to refinish in the future. I also put Briwax on it as an experiment. Improved the finish in my opinion.

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H
Austin, you did a great job on that top. It is amazing how the shadow lines line up almost perfectly the full length, the sun must have been straight up over it. Beautiful Colors and nicely executed.
Herb
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A
Good one.
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Nickp
Very nice...and love the idea of dying the pine...came out great...!
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DaninVan
heh... I did a doubletake when i saw the picture. It wasn't until i looked at an expanded view that I realized the black bands were shadows from the overhead pergola. Nice job, Austin! :)
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