new
timber length, a little final shaping to
smooth in curves or remove sharp
corners can be quickly and easily
achieved using simple hand tools.
Likewise cutter profiles can be joined
or married up smoothly in a similar
fashion.
One important point to bear in mind
is that the timber should first be
prepared by planing it straight and
true and that excess waste timber
should be removed by cutting rebates
and grooves, leaving only the final
shaping to be carried out with the
selected cutters.
When making cars and lorries, first
form rebates along the bottom edges
of the strip and cut a groove along
the centre of the bottom face leaving
two square beads to be machined to
the wheel profiles. Large areas of
waste such as on the flat back lorry
can be sawn on a table saw. The saw
table can also be used to cut angled
surfaces for house roofs and other
wide flat surfaces. Not all the cuts
will be able to be made by simply
running the square edges of the
timber against the router table or
fence. It may be necessary to make
up support blocks or jigs to be able
to present the work to the cutter at
different angles or to keep it level
while machining.
Another alternative when forming the
basic profile is to machine different
shaped sections of timber and glue
them together in a long length. This
can produce attractive effects when
using contrasting timbers and finishing
with clear lacquers or varnishes.
videos
The Router - A Beginner’s
Guide
A circular saw or band saw fitted with
a fine tooth blade is best for
separating the profile sections using
the table fence to determine their
width. Alternatively use a fine tooth
handsaw, taking care to cut the sides
square and parallel.
If you keep your cutters well honed
(do it regularly on a diamond stone),
you will only need to lightly sand the
machined surfaces before applying a
finish. In order to sand the sides,
stick a piece of abrasive paper to a
flat surface with double sided tape
and rub the faces over it, keeping
them flat to the surface.
Always use close grained woods such
as Beech. However, for a more
decorative effect use combinations of
light and dark woods, such as holly,
maple, mahogany and cherry, but again
avoid woolly or coarse grained
varieties. For children’s toys, bright
coloured stains or varnishes can be
applied, but as with all paints and
other finishes only use those that are
non-toxic and stated to be safe for
children. IP
The editor of The Router Magazine,
Alan Goodsell demonstrates the
techniques, the tools and the
accessories to unleash the full
potential of woodworking’s most
versatile tool.
Ref VIDEO/TRBG
Professional Door
Fitting
This video, one of a series
featuring Trend jigs and equipment
for the router, explains how the
Hinge Jig and other unique
accessories assist the carpenter to
fit doors with maximum ease and
efficiency.
Ref TV/5
Affordable CNC Routing
This video demonstrates the range
of applications which can be carried
out using the CNC860 together
with complimentary products such
as software, jig-making accessories
and tooling.
Ref TV/6
The Trend Routing
System
This video looks at the two routers,
the T5 and T9, together with the
MINIMACH vacuum clamping system
and the DJ300 Dovetail Jig. It shows
how to use these and other products
to accomplish many woodworking
tasks.
Ref TV/7
Autumn 1998
INProfile
5