[Crossvine]

This is a spice rack with a slight problem I need to correct. A friend with a cabinet shop built it for me from scrap maple. Bad communication on my part, he put the shelves 4.5 inches apart. My glass spice bottles are 4 9/16ths inches tall.

I was thinking I could use my 611 router to shave a little wood from the bottom of each shelf and then paint it for an antique look.

I would much appreciate any tips on guides or other things I should get to do this job safely and properly. I only have the 611, no attachments and only 1 bit too short for this job.

Also… The shelves are 2 inches deep but I don’t need to cut that deep. 1.5 inches would give the bottle lids proper clearance. I would appreciate recommendations on the bit I should buy for this task. I’ve seen ones with a bearing on the end and was told they give better control. The kid at the box store wouldn’t tell me which bit I needed. He kept trying to sell me a set of bits.

I read all the threads in this section since 2013 trying to under the terminology. I still haven’t got it down yet. Thanks for any help in advance.

 

[MT Stringer]

Personally, I would look for some spice jars that would fit the cabinet as it is and transfer the spices to the new jars.

https://www.amazon.com/Square-Bottles-Silver-Shaker-SpiceLuxe/dp/B01KJ72SEO

 

[Crossvine]

Unfortunately, I’ve spent years collect one particular spice bottle. I’ve more than 100 and use them for many purposes. I’d rather spend money upgrading the usefulness of my router.

 

[MT Stringer]

Are you thinking about laying it on its back and building some sort of jig that would allow you to make several passes cutting a little deeper each time?

DeWalt 611 router, right?

If so, I don't know if a straight router bit is available with a 1/4 inch shank that would cut that deep.

 

[Shop guy]

IF you can remove the shelves which I doubt can do without damaging the sides and or back you could easily do what you have in mind on the table saw. Otherwise buy new jars. Just my opinion.

 

[Crossvine]

Are you thinking about laying it on its back and building some sort of jig that would allow you to make several passes cutting a little deeper each time?

Yes, that was my plan. I can't take it apart, each individual shelf has 7 nails and is glued across the back as well as each end.

If I can't get a bit long enough then I'm out of luck. I checked 1/4 straight bits on amazon but was confused by the terminology. shank length vs bit length vs cutting length.

 

[Semipro]

Pattern

First i think you need to start over, but it possible.
A pattern bit with double bearings top and bottom then replace the bottom bearing with a 1/16” smaller bearing. Lay a board acrossed the the cabinet to run the the top bearing on. Now the problem like Mike said your need a router to accept a 1/2” shank bit. Also that bit is Probably over $30

 

[Auriga]

I did see some 1/4" router bits with 1.5" cutting depth (or I could be misinterpreting it, since I use metric by default), which would be the easiest fix. If I were to improvise, I'd probably use a circular saw and cut into each shelf (after scoring the line with an xacto knife - this helps a lot) and then chisel out the rest.

EDIT: I did misinterpret it. It was a 1/2" bit, sorry.

 

[Stick486]

¾'' trim bit w/ a bottom bearing...
Freud Tools | 3/4" (Dia.) Bearing Flush Trim Bit
change the bottom bearing to ½'' dia. that will remove 1/8'' of material...
Freud Tools - Search Results for bearing
do yourself a favor and get the set of bearings for the long range...
cut for depth (front to back) in a minimum of 3 passes... 4 would be better..

now you have to make a 2'' filler for the router to ride on as well as the shelf so that router doesn't tip or rock as rout...
think of it as the router is riding on two parallel rails spaced about as far apart as you can safely space them.....
do not forget about your feed direction..

...

 

[Auriga]

was confused by the terminology. shank length vs bit length vs cutting length.

That would be: the length of that bit that goes into the router chuck vs total length vs length of the part with the blade.

 

[Stick486]

First i think you need to start over, but it possible.
A pattern bit with double bearings top and bottom then replace the bottom bearing with a 1/16” smaller bearing. Lay a board acrossed the the cabinet to run the the top bearing on. Now the problem like Mike said your need a router to accept a 1/2” shank bit. Also that bit is Probably over $30

John..
a 1/16'' smaller bearing will only give a 32nd of an inch of cut...

 

[Crossvine]

Thank you Mr. Stick. Amazon has that bit in stock!

 

[Stick486]

Thank you Mr. Stick. Amazon has that bit in stock!

what about the bearing???

 

[Crossvine]

what about the bearing???

They have them at the big box store. When I get the bit I'll take it with me to the store so I can see everything.

 

[Stick486]

They have them at the big box store.

they do???

 

[Crossvine]

That's what the kid told me who tried to sell me a set of bits.

 

[Shop guy]

Don’t bet on it.

 

[Stick486]

That's what the kid told me who tried to sell me a set of bits.

seek out the Freud bearings...

 

[woodknots]

@Crossvine - you only need to remove a little over 1/16" on the bottom of each shelf. Rather than finding a bit, setting up a proper support for the router, I'd be tempted to use a ROS (random orbit sander) to remove some material. You don't have to go the full 2 inches on each shelf. Might be a lot easier, less costly.

 

[mimac]

If you have plastic lids on the bottles sand them down. You're going to beat up the sides of your cabinet. Maybe try a cabinet scraper or just make a new cabinet. The cost of the wood would probably be less than the price of a new bit and bearings and you would get some satisfaction and experience doing it, plus you would have 2 spice racks, maybe gift the undersized one.