Our New Articles
Woodworking, Making Shelves And Larger Projects For Woodworking
by Tony Scorch
I get the question a lot lately about cutting dado’s and grooves for larger projects such as shelves. If you are a beginner woodworker, you spend a lot of time just trying to figure out which tool you need to build the project you are interested in. It’s nice if you have someone there with you to ask your questions to, but it does not always work that way. If you go to a website to purchase the tools, you probably will not be able to speak to someone knowledgeable about how to make a part or cut a certain type of joint. The one question I get asked about a lot pertains to router tables. A lot of people want to use the table to cut the larger grooves to hold the horizontal shelf portion for a book case. Usually these items are longer, averaging about 72 inches in length. Most router tables are only about 30 to 35” long.
The problem you run into is that the project is longer than the table and you cannot support the work piece. This is a common problem, so you’re not alone. Unless you work in a cabinet shop, you are going to have to figure out a way to support your work piece. You can always go out and by a roller stand for the support. I recommend setting up some sort of bench stand. Even boxes that help hold your work piece have worked. The whole idea is to make something work and then take it apart. Again this is very common.
Cutting the grooves is left best to two different tools. The first is the table saw. You really need to have a dado blade set up in the table saw to do a decent job that will not take you all day. The table saw allows you to cut the grooves in one or two passes. Again because the pieces are larger you will have to fashion some sort of support. The other tool you can use is a handheld router. You will need an edge guide for this method. An edge guide is a nice tool that is basically a straight edge with a clamp built into each end. You can even substitute a straight piece of wood if you do not have an edge guide. You will want to install a straight bit into your router and line up the edge of the cutter with a line you have drawn on your project. Next clamp down your edge guide so that your routers base plate will move along the cut line as you have it drawn. It only takes one complete cut before you will be flying through this type of joint. The time is spent in the setup and in figuring out how you want to make the cut. Make sure you only take the stock out in small bites so as not to bog down the router. This is better for the tool and for your router bits.
About The Author: Tony Scorch is a contributing editor to Router Table Depot. You can find it at http://www.routertabledepot.com/articles.html
These articles on lifestyle and more
Return to the selection of woodworking
You may want to try these articles on hobby
Woodworking, Choosing The Best Woodworking Saws by Ken Morris Approximately 472 Words
Woodworking, Dealing With Contractors - How Not To Get Ripped Off by Josiah Roell Approximately 455 Words
Woodworking, Finding The Best Woodworking Contractor For The Job by Josiah Roell Approximately 398 Words
Woodworking, The Ins And Outs Of Evaluating A Woodwork by Josiah Roell Approximately 389 Words
Woodworking, Building A Work Bench: How To Utilize Your Knew Found Wood Working Skills by Josiah Roell Approximately 541 Words
Woodworking, Woodworking: Keys For Spoting Quality Lumber by Josiah Roell Approximately 544 Words
Woodworking, How To Effectively Market Your Woodworking Products by Josiah Roell Approximately 343 Words
Woodworking, Do You Have These Woodworking Tools? by Leroy K. Calstard Approximately 521 Words
You may want to try these websites for additional information
http://www.binkyswoodworking.com/
http://www.popularwoodworking.com/
http://www.rockler.com/
The information provided in this article is the express opinion of the author. Exchangenet is not responsible for the content!
I get the question a lot lately about cutting dado’s and grooves for larger projects such as shelves. If you are a beginner woodworker, you spend a lot of time just trying to figure out which tool you need to build the project you are interested in. It’s nice if you have someone there with you to ask your questions to, but it does not always work that way. If you go to a website to purchase the tools, you probably will not be able to speak to someone knowledgeable about how to make a part or cut a certain type of joint. The one question I get asked about a lot pertains to router tables. A lot of people want to use the table to cut the larger grooves to hold the horizontal shelf portion for a book case. Usually these items are longer, averaging about 72 inches in length. Most router tables are only about 30 to 35” long.
The problem you run into is that the project is longer than the table and you cannot support the work piece. This is a common problem, so you’re not alone. Unless you work in a cabinet shop, you are going to have to figure out a way to support your work piece. You can always go out and by a roller stand for the support. I recommend setting up some sort of bench stand. Even boxes that help hold your work piece have worked. The whole idea is to make something work and then take it apart. Again this is very common.
Cutting the grooves is left best to two different tools. The first is the table saw. You really need to have a dado blade set up in the table saw to do a decent job that will not take you all day. The table saw allows you to cut the grooves in one or two passes. Again because the pieces are larger you will have to fashion some sort of support. The other tool you can use is a handheld router. You will need an edge guide for this method. An edge guide is a nice tool that is basically a straight edge with a clamp built into each end. You can even substitute a straight piece of wood if you do not have an edge guide. You will want to install a straight bit into your router and line up the edge of the cutter with a line you have drawn on your project. Next clamp down your edge guide so that your routers base plate will move along the cut line as you have it drawn. It only takes one complete cut before you will be flying through this type of joint. The time is spent in the setup and in figuring out how you want to make the cut. Make sure you only take the stock out in small bites so as not to bog down the router. This is better for the tool and for your router bits.
About The Author: Tony Scorch is a contributing editor to Router Table Depot. You can find it at http://www.routertabledepot.com/articles.html
These articles on lifestyle and more
Reprint this article free of charge as long as you keep the author's resource box or bio intact and the links active. A copy of the ezine or URL of the page where the article was reprinted emailed to the author would be very much appreciated. woodworking
Return to the selection of woodworking
You may want to try these articles on hobby
Woodworking, Choosing The Best Woodworking Saws by Ken Morris Approximately 472 Words
Woodworking, Dealing With Contractors - How Not To Get Ripped Off by Josiah Roell Approximately 455 Words
Woodworking, Finding The Best Woodworking Contractor For The Job by Josiah Roell Approximately 398 Words
Woodworking, The Ins And Outs Of Evaluating A Woodwork by Josiah Roell Approximately 389 Words
Woodworking, Building A Work Bench: How To Utilize Your Knew Found Wood Working Skills by Josiah Roell Approximately 541 Words
Woodworking, Woodworking: Keys For Spoting Quality Lumber by Josiah Roell Approximately 544 Words
Woodworking, How To Effectively Market Your Woodworking Products by Josiah Roell Approximately 343 Words
Woodworking, Do You Have These Woodworking Tools? by Leroy K. Calstard Approximately 521 Words
You may want to try these websites for additional information
http://www.binkyswoodworking.com/
http://www.popularwoodworking.com/
http://www.rockler.com/
The information provided in this article is the express opinion of the author. Exchangenet is not responsible for the content!
