by John Perkins |
Making frame and panel doors using the router is now an accepted and common practice for many professional woodworkers . For the home craftsman it used to be expensive as there was a need for a heavy duty router , router table and 12.7mm shank cutters . However , with the addition to the Craft Range of 1 / 4 inch and 8mm shank profile scribing cutters , router power and the cost of professional tooling is no longer a consideration . These profile scribers are now available in three styles : Flat Classic , Straight Bevel or Ogee Panel Profile and can be used in conjunction with various shaped panel raisers . Such tools with smaller shanks are ideal for use with the Trend T5 router fitted in the CRT MK2 router table or with other routers above 850 watts . |
Frames and Panels
For strength , profile scribed joints rely on a tongue cut by the scribing cutter to form a tenon . This tenon engages into the panel groove that is cut along the inside edge of the door rails and stiles . By reassembling the cutter components , both parts of the joint can be routed to produce a high degree of accuracy .
Cutting Profile Scribed Joints
It is general practice when cutting profile scribed joints to cut the rail end tenon and scribed moulding first , otherwise the bearing guide may drop into the groove routed when making the profile mould .
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Setting out and cutting the materials to size :
■ First decide on the overall size of the door by measuring the cabinet door opening .
■ Decide on the width of the stiles and rails . Remember by making the bottom rail slightly wider than the top rail and stiles , the door will look better balanced .
■ Plane the frame timber to an equal thickness , between 18mm and 22mm .
■ Calculate the length of the top and bottom rails . This will equal the width of the door minus twice the width of the stiles plus twice the depth of the panel groove ( example 420mm - ( 2 x 52mm ) + ( 2x12mm ) = 340mm rail length ). Cut the rails exactly to this length leaving the ends square .
■ Cut the stiles 20mm to 30mm overlength , the door length can be set out as the doors are glued up , any excess being trimmed off later .
■ Decorative curved edge top rails are cut to length in the same way , only the width of the rail will differ .
■ Cut several pieces of similar size timber for use as test pieces .
■ Mark the face side and edge on each piece .
Cutting the Scribed Rail Ends
The profile scribing cutter consists of a threaded arbor with lock nut , moulding cutter , a grooving cutter and a guide bearing . There are also three copper shims and a steel washer . The cutter is assembled ready for cutting a scribe when it
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leaves Trend and easy to follow assembly diagrams for changing its mode are supplied . In order to reduce stress on the cutter , turn one of the cutters so that they are at 90 ° to each other .
Mount the cutter in the router and set the cutter height to give a top quirk depth of no less than 1.5mm . When cutting , the rail ends must be run against the backfence with the rail at right angles to it . Use a steel rule to adjust the fence so that the face of the bearing is aligned with the face of the fence . Also check that the fence is parallel to the mitre fence groove on the table . To hold the rail square to the fence , it is advisable to make up a sliding workholder incorporating a secure means of clamping the timber .
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