I’d like to make a skirt below the small deck on my shed by cutting the sun, moon & stars into 1×12’s. The designs will actually be in the cut out areas – think stencils. Is a router the best thing to use for this? Any better ideas? And if a router is the way to go ~ a recommendation for a good one, please?
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Replies
A router is a good way to go. Make a template then use a guided straight bit to rout out the pattern. You'll be limited in detail to the radius of the bit. ¼" is about as small as you dare go.
I would think a router with a template would be a good way to go for a constant size of the shapes.
Top bearing bits will follow a template nicely. I recommend an "outside" template since the template will protect the wood which you want to keep - if the bit should wander, it will do no damage to the finished surface. A second pass with the router will cure the "wander" area of the cut.
A slimmer bit will yield sharper points in your cut outs, however, it will cut slower, be more fragile and prone to overheating.
I would 1) make the template, 2) position and trace the template, 3) cut the openings with a sabre saw to within 1/8" of the line and 4) clean the shapes up with the router. This technique will make the router cuts easier and save a lot of router bits.
Just my 2 cents - others will contribute theirs.
Good luck!
Jim
Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.
As for the router itself, one of the Bosch models will give good performance - I have a 1619 and it will run all day, though it is a little top heavy.
Router is probably the best bet. If it were me, I'd use a guide collar on the router base, a template and an upcut spiral 1/4" bit. Use a plunge router and take the material in three or four increasing drops. You won't believe the difference in the spiral vs straight cutter...way faster chip clearance.
PJ
Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.
I'll be the black sheep and suggest a jigsaw with a fine blade. With a little practice you can do a great job that way, and just trace out each cut from a cardboard pattern.
bobbi,
What ?
NO Cow?
bobbi, What ?
NO Cow?
***************
John, of course there will be a cow jumping over the moon. Silly ! ;-) Bobbi
Bobbi,
Since it's a deck skirt on a shed, and will be in the weather, I'm with David on this one. You need to use the jigsaw anyhow with the router method. It is easy to make it good enough for the context with jigsaw alone, and a lot faster. This assumes a pro-grade jigsaw like a Bosch, of course.
Bill
Thanks everyone - thinking here..... The moon & the stars might be easier to make templates for but not real sure about the curved rays of the sun. Maybe I need both ?? Doesn't that sound like a good reason for new tools ? ;-)
Bobbi