I cut out the frames for my gun cab project today. I had a 3 piece raised panel set that is 5 years old I have never used. No name brand.
I practiced rail/stile setup on scrap stock. Tried on 3/4 stock and found that this set needs 7/8 stock. I have some straight stock so dimensioning to 7/8 is not gonna be a problem.
I made a set of rails/stiles and the fit looked pretty doggone good. Made the cuts in two passes (PC 693 vs router). Had a little tearout on the rail copes but using a backer seemed to fix that. Ok, I'm cooking with oil now, got a nice frame set...let's try the raised panel bit. I'm stoked.
Well, the router plate that came with my Benchdog router table is only two inch. RP bit is 3.25 inch diameter.
I can buy a phenolic Benchdog ProPlate with a 3.6 inch hole for $33.46 from Amazon (no reducing inserts for this plate). Or the aluminum Proplate 40-018 with reducers to provide 2", 2.625", 3.625" for $82.45. Both have holes predrilled to mate with my PC 693. Hmmm, what to do? :eusa_thin
Then I get to thinking maybe I should just break down and get the larger aluminum plate and a new router. Something big enough to spin a big bit without complaining too much. :eusa_thin
Then I get to thinking I should build a larger table top, buy a larger router plate and a new router. :eusa_danc OK, I'm getting carried away here. Back down to earth.
What do you think? Buy the phenolic plate (cheap) and make the raised panel in 2 or 3 passes and live with my small router? Or buy a big router and aluminum plate? Eventually I'm gonna get one anyhow, right?
Other cheaper ideas are valued and appreciated. Like, can I make one out of wood for this single project?
Chuck
I practiced rail/stile setup on scrap stock. Tried on 3/4 stock and found that this set needs 7/8 stock. I have some straight stock so dimensioning to 7/8 is not gonna be a problem.
I made a set of rails/stiles and the fit looked pretty doggone good. Made the cuts in two passes (PC 693 vs router). Had a little tearout on the rail copes but using a backer seemed to fix that. Ok, I'm cooking with oil now, got a nice frame set...let's try the raised panel bit. I'm stoked.
Well, the router plate that came with my Benchdog router table is only two inch. RP bit is 3.25 inch diameter.
I can buy a phenolic Benchdog ProPlate with a 3.6 inch hole for $33.46 from Amazon (no reducing inserts for this plate). Or the aluminum Proplate 40-018 with reducers to provide 2", 2.625", 3.625" for $82.45. Both have holes predrilled to mate with my PC 693. Hmmm, what to do? :eusa_thin
Then I get to thinking maybe I should just break down and get the larger aluminum plate and a new router. Something big enough to spin a big bit without complaining too much. :eusa_thin
Then I get to thinking I should build a larger table top, buy a larger router plate and a new router. :eusa_danc OK, I'm getting carried away here. Back down to earth.
What do you think? Buy the phenolic plate (cheap) and make the raised panel in 2 or 3 passes and live with my small router? Or buy a big router and aluminum plate? Eventually I'm gonna get one anyhow, right?
Other cheaper ideas are valued and appreciated. Like, can I make one out of wood for this single project?
Chuck