So, while restoring my wood windows, I found 2 of them that had “channel” weatherstripping instead of spring bronze. Now I’m kind of fired up to try that out myself on the rest of them since I disassembled those two and figured out how to reinstall them (easier than I thought).
Trying to figure out what router and bit would work best to create the channels in the sides of the sashes. The channel is 5/32″ wide. I’ve been planning to buy a router to recreate wood storm windows for the upstairs windows (like this). Just have experience using my dad’s old router but not for this work…and dad lives far away now.
Any suggestions for a decent hand-held router that would get both of these jobs done?
Replies
If all you're going to cut is 5/32" I would get a laminate trimmer. Otherwise the PC 690 is a good basic router.
I'm sorry, I thought you wanted it done the right way.
Oh, I'll be doing other more heavy duty projects with it, but I wanted to make sure that whatever router I do get can cut a 5/32" channel...
I'll look into the PC690...thanks.
About that photo of your storm window, how did you cut the mortises?
I didn't because the one in the photo isn't mine :) It belongs to Bob Yapp who I ran into in Chicago when he was here. But I love the idea. We're missing a bunch of wood storms and screens and I hate aluminum screens with the passion of a thousand burning suns.
But, their convenience, especially for the second floor, is appealing.
This type of storm/screen combo is a wood frame left in the window year round with swapable storms and screens from the inside on top and bottom. I want to retrofit the storms I have and make new ones for the windows that are missing them.
Therefore, the need for a router.
I swung by the local hardware store tonight to check out a PC 9690LR 1-3/4 HP router with the 1/2" collet. Seemed solid, nice price ($139), gets some decent reviews. I liked the sealed rocker switch. I'd like to get a decent edge guide. And, for the window weatherstripping project, I'd need a good 5/32" kerf slot cutter.
Just wanted some input from folks who know better before I committed to it.
Edited 5/27/2005 9:31 pm ET by jmo
In my opinion, trhe 690 is a rock solid no-frills router that will do almost anything you ask, and last a long time.
I'm sorry, I thought you wanted it done the right way.
jmo
I've got several 690's and I'd buy another if I needed to replace one.
That edge guide that you showed is a decent one.
Doug
Thanks for the response. The reason I didn't offer you any opinions on routers is because I know nothing about them.
Our passions about the look of aluminum windows reflect a common intensity. They destroy some of the most effective details of older houses.
I don't see a lot of responses, so I've come back to add something. Keep in mind I preface the remarks by saying that I don't have much experience here.
You might want to aim for future versatility by getting a router known to work well in a router table. That PC 690 might be good for that, I'm not sure. I used a router table once and was very impressed. I used it to mill some parts similar to storm window rails and stiles. The table was the ultimate edge guide. The difference between was analagous to that between using a hand held circular saw with an improvised edge guide and a good table saw fence.
for l;ight work like that I would consider a laminate trimmer or a pc 100 (7/8 hp router) It will do all you want and its fairly light....
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