Fixed or Plunge?

[TerryLL]

I like that pin router, Terry. Did you design it yourself or are there plans? The jigs seem to be products of a certain amount of experimentation and development, being rather sophisticated and all made in the same style. How are the stainless steel pattern plates cut? A very nice operation all around.

Thanks Jim.

The pin router is my own design, but it's fairly typical of an overhead pin system. I built the prototype about 25 years ago and it worked so well I didn't get around to building the final version until just a few years ago. But I used a bigger router in this one, a beefier lift, and a larger table.

The routing patterns shown are in .100 aluminum plate. My older patterns are in 1/8" tempered hardboard and my newer ones are in Lexan. I make a master pattern by hand and then use the same pattern router to cut out a small batch that are all the same.

That slab of aluminum flat bar brings back a flood of memories from my welding days. Mostly unpleasant.

[Jim Ledger]

Thanks Jim.

The pin router is my own design, but it's fairly typical of an overhead pin system. I built the prototype about 25 years ago and it worked so well I didn't get around to building the final version until just a few years ago. But I used a bigger router in this one, a beefier lift, and a larger table.

The routing patterns shown are in .100 aluminum plate. My older patterns are in 1/8" tempered hardboard and my newer ones are in Lexan. I make a master pattern by hand and then use the same pattern router to cut out a small batch that are all the same.

That slab of aluminum flat bar brings back a flood of memories from my welding days. Mostly unpleasant.

Thanks Terry, and I'm sure if you could see your way to posting more pictures of the pin router there would be more than a little interest.

In the meantime, more of Jim's quick 'n dirty jigs made to get a job done and move on. This is an good example of an extremely useful type. It's simply a piece of melamine board with four cuts made with a tablesaw. The saw fence is set in the desired position and the blade raised into the material. This takes advantage of the accuracy of the saw fence adjustment, so a close measurement can be crept up on if need be. As can be seen, a guide bushing follows the pattern. Successive cuts are taken as the bit is plunged into the work.

it's pretty foolproof.



The result. Four identical openings for return air ducts, as it happens, although the principle would remain the same if you were cutting handholds into a drawer front or fancy slots in your drop boards. In this case, the jig registered on the corners, so no measuring was needed.


Along the same lines...the jig used to rout the recesses in the fence posts shown in Post #85. The stop at the far end registers on the top of the post and one edge of the jig aligns with the edge of the post. A jig was used to make this jig.

[Paul Girouard]

Back to fixed or plunge , both, again, is the best answer.


Loosely based on Jim's circle jig , mine extended,







Plunge router with 1/2" spiral bottom cutting bit.





Fixed router with 1/2" flush triimer bit used to make the other side of the arch using the jig cut arch as a pattern.




Two identical cut arches, two routers , two different type of bits , one jig.



Can we push this thread to 2000 views and 200 posts?? Time will tell.

[TerryLL]

What in the heck does a bit like this cost? And how in the world do you sharpen it?

[Paul Girouard]

What in the heck does a bit like this cost? And how in the world do you sharpen it?

It's Whiteside's RFTD 5200 bit sells for $81.20 USD , from :

http://woodworkersworld.net/flush_tr...s.shtml#updown

Or direct from Whiteside's :

http://www.whitesiderouterbits.com/catalog.html#catimgs

I've never had it sharpened , so I can't address that. Maybe you can ship it back to Whiteside's and they can sharpen it? If my local guy can't do it when it gets dull, which is what I expect will be the case , I'd more than likely just order a new one, or check with Whiteside's , but knowing me when I realize it's dull, I'll need the bit ASAP and end up buying a new one.

[Breakaway]

Cool. And thanks for the link to whiteside.

Kevin

[Paul Girouard]

Cool. And thanks for the link to whiteside.

Kevin

Your welcome , they are nice people they have a 1-800 number , very friendly helpful people there.

[David G]

Squid,

My local guy sharpens spiral bits regularly.

Of course... we're in Oregon, not the wilds of Washington

[Paul Girouard]

Squid,

My local guy sharpens spiral bits regularly.

Of course... we're in Oregon, not the wilds of Washington

You also live in Portland , I think , I'm two hours from Seattle and my local guys 5 minutes from my house , he works out of his garage , so he may not have the gear to do spiral bits. Also my work generally involves remodeling and / or I cross over into carpentry so my bits some times get some harsh treatment , I can't remember ever having a spiral router bit that needed sharpened , or was worth sharpening after getting done with it. Generally they get chipped hitting nail or some such when I used them for some "wonder fix / great idea " to use the router to do some odd ball job.


And for Kevin here another company that makes some different type of bits that the normal outfit may not make,

https://www.onsrud.com/plusdocs/Doc/...peed-Machining

That spiral bit with the top bearing is a Onsrud bit I think. The one I routed the lock-set into the face of the door with.

[Paul Girouard]

This spiral bit is the Onsrud bit, with bearings from

Bit : Onsrud ¾” spiral bit #40-141
Bearings: (2 each) Whiteside B19 ¾” OD , ½’ ID
Bearing Stop Collar: Whiteside LC-1/2



I found out about this bit here:

http://darrellpeart.blogspot.com/201...of-tricks.html

[RodB]

http://www.patwarner.com/plunge_or_fixed.html

More than you could want to know about routing... and per the author.... He recommends a fixed base (7518 Porter Cable) with the base mounted to a sheet of 5/8 MDF (with a support frame underneath) (coated with watco oil)... very simple and rock solid.. .

http://www.patwarner.com/


RodB

[Nicholas Carey]

Spiral bits come in three flavors, too:

• Up-cut (as pictured)
  Gives a clean cut on the bottom (tip) side, tear-out limited to the top (shank) end.
• Down-cut.
  Reverse of the above.
• Compression-cut.

Top and bottom both cut towards the middle. Clean cut on both surfaces.

http://www.thewoodwhisperer.com/arti...l-router-bits/

[Mrleft8]

That double helix bit boggles the mind.... How the hell would you sharpen that one!?

[Paul Girouard]

That double helix bit boggles the mind.... How the hell would you sharpen that one!?

Carefully, of course!

[David G]

If you're looking for one - the third option (above) is called a "compression" bit.

I have used them for applications where there is something delicate or expensive on BOTH faces of a panel. When you've ordered custom, sequence-matched, veneered panels... you simply don't have any room for losing one thru blowout. When you've invested in the layup of some expensive trendy p.lam with a 12 week lead time for getting more... likewise.

[David G]

If you're looking for one - the third option (above) is called a "compression" bit.

I have used them for applications where there is something delicate or expensive on BOTH faces of a panel. When you've ordered custom, sequence-matched, veneered panels... you simply don't have any room for losing one thru blowout. When you've invested in the layup of some expensive trendy p.lam with a 12 week lead time for getting more... likewise.

They do a sterling job, but they are expensive to buy (solid carbide), and expensive to sharpen.

[Paul Girouard]

Nice work we get two for one on the post count David. We could send that compression bit to you for your guy to sharpen eh!! LOL

[David G]

Definitely... send it my way. I trashed my old one, and haven't replaced it. I promise I'll sharpen it. As I age, though, my memory gets a little dodgy. I can't be absolutely sure I'll remember to send it back <G>

[Paul Girouard]

Definitely... send it my way. I trashed my old one, and haven't replaced it. I promise I'll sharpen it. As I age, though, my memory gets a little dodgy. I can't be absolutely sure I'll remember to send it back <G>

Maybe I'll send it to bobbys , I trust him, even if he is YOU.LOL

[David G]

Maybe I'll send it to bobbys , I trust him, even if he is YOU.LOL

Safe bet. Roofers have little use for compression bits. Though... being on the N. Coast... lord knows where he'd send it to be sharpened. Though there is a pretty good outfit based in Salem that I think might send a rep up that way.

[Paul Girouard]

Safe bet. Roofers have little use for compression bits. Though... being on the N. Coast... lord knows where he'd send it to be sharpened. Though there is a pretty good outfit based in Salem that I think might send a rep up that way.

Maybe you missed the joke at the end that you and bobbys are one in the same, maybe not , LOL = Laugh Out Loud , maybe should have been a clue it was joke.

[David G]

Maybe you missed the joke at the end that you and bobbys are one in the same, maybe not , LOL = Laugh Out Loud , maybe should have been a clue it was joke.

bobbys & I... the same person? Perish the thought.

[Paul Girouard]

Arch installed:

[Vince Brennan]

Y'know, fer an Airedale, you ain't a bad carpuntooter!


Lookin' good!

[TerryLL]

Paul,

Nice bit of work. My Sweetie is planning something similar between our kitchen and dining room. I hope you'll post photos of the finished product.

[David G]

Y'know, fer an Airedale, you ain't a bad carpuntooter!


Lookin' good!

Just goes to show... squids CAN have socially redeeming qualities <G>

[Paul Girouard]

Thanks all .

I'll try to remember to get some photo's after painting and floor coverings get completed.