Router Jig

AndyKitchenfitter said:

Hello i am wanting to make a router jig to do ribbons on some wood work like the crohns ribbon or aid ribbon what is best to make this with?

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Are you trying to do 3D carving on wood or just cutting out the shape?

If 3D carving,
you can
1. build a 3D pantograph
2. Buy or build and USE a CNC router
3. Use a TREND router carver bit with thick plywood or MDF jigs IF FEASIBLE with your design.

Interesting system but a quick Google search doesn't yield much, at least not much in the USA.

sreilly said:

Interesting system but a quick Google search doesn't yield much, at least not much in the USA.

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In the UK Trend sells it.
in Australia, Carb-i-tools makes and sells a similar system.
In the EU, CMT makes and sells a similar system.


This 3D carver system will only work with a PLUNGE BASE ROUTER which is less popular in the USA.

Andy, in spite of all my years routing, I can't see any way to make a template for this purpose. A CNC router is the only way that I can think of.


https://www4.bing.com/images/search?q=crohns+ribbon&qpvt=crohns+ribbon&FORM=IQFRML

I think I agree with Harry. The 3 D Carver system is available here though not extremely popular. Jessem also sold it but I think it was a rebadged CMT. It's made for doing this: Systems and accessories-3D Router Carver system-CMT tools where the tip of the vee bit rises and falls as the bearing cone rises and drops in the template. It wouldn't gradually slope off to one side which is what the ribbon does.

harrysin said:

Andy, in spite of all my years routing, I can't see any way to make a template for this purpose. A CNC router is the only way that I can think of.


https://www4.bing.com/images/search?q=crohns+ribbon&qpvt=crohns+ribbon&FORM=IQFRML

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3D pantograph manual copying of a carved model (or molded sample or CNC made sample) is another "way to skin the cat".
(Say you want to curve on a cupboard that will be too big to load on a CNC router.)

Use other materials perhaps

1. Use a 3D printer to make the ribbons in plastic
2. A carved sample can be used to make a mound for casting Gypson (plater of Paris) - more suitable for walls and ceilings
3. A carved sample can be used to make a mound for casting clay - then fired in a Kiln to make ceramic ribbons. Good as gifts.
4. A carved sample can be used to make a mound for casting "plastic wood" ribbons that can be attached to wooden furnitures.
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harrysin said:

The problems with the 3D carver system are: one can only use the listed templates and without a CNC router I see no way to make the templates because the cut-outs have to vary in width for the cone to rise and fall.

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Harry,
I attended a demo by Carb-i-tool (inventor of the system). They said that they can design templates for customers too e.g. if you want your company logo etc.
It is not hard to make own templates. Just a graph or a spreadsheet using some formulae would be enough.

It is "NOT impossible" to do the ribbon. Some experimenting would be required.
e.g
First get the shape cut out using std pattern bit and outline template first.
Then use the 3-D carver with multiple templates to make the required slope(s)
The slope may also be created with a palm router with a small template guide bushing with the small base plate riding on a preformed sloping (non flat) template with a grove that fits the small size guide bushing.

Your description sounds logical Reuel, but I would love to see someone actually do it. I really thought that I was very knowledgeable about routing but such a project is way beyond my skills.