Any tips for routing?

[alfietinker]

Have been practising on offcuts of a beech worktop in readyness to cut round a belfast sink. All been OK so far but before we take the plunge any further suggestions/hints/tips?

Much appreciated, ta.

 

[big-all]

heeelllooo at

several passes dont take off to much at once

how do you plan to keep to pattern
are you using strait edges or a template

i take it you are overhanging the sides and back
of the sink

 

[TexMex]

What size router is it. (collet size, power).

 

[alfietinker]

Hello all, ooh, good question. Hubby actually does routing, I'm just writing.

We were intending to draw and mark out the hole and then clamp straight edges on to use as a guide.

We are going to overlap the side and back edges but wanted to make the rounded corners we see in the showrooms. This is what we're nervous about. Not sure how to do this apart from freehand so will probably do square corners instead, unless anyone has suggestions?

Router is a cheap B&Q make, not sure of the wattage but not that powerful. It does have variable speed and a 50mm plunge depth. If the collet is the spindle the bits go on, it is 1/4 inch, not 1/2 inch. Sorry, I'm writing this at work, 50 miles from the tool!

Many thanks

xx

 

[big-all]

if youve got a template guide [the circular metal bit with a raised middle]
that fixes into the centre of the router
you can make a template of about 4mm thick [depends on bush depth]
now the opening needs to be about 4mm or so bigger than the shape you
need due to the cutter being a few mm away from the guide bush

you could make a cardboard template of one corner with a suitable
radius
mark the cut out on your ply or hardboard use the template to curve
all the corners or both if the sink comes to the front cut out with jigsaw
clean up all edges so they are smooth

make shure your template is big enough to take clamps with room
for the for the router to pass

big all

 

[alfietinker]

Thank you! - will pass on to hubby.

 

[big-all]

a few other points

if you cut out with a jigsaw about five or 6 mm inside the line
you will be able to cut with fewer passes of the router

cut in a clockwise direction if you cut anti it will push away from
the guide

cut a dummy out of ply the hold it over the sink if its wrong
you can adjust the template

also exagerate the curve on the template it will be slightly less
on the worktop

support the top evenly on both sides of the cut so there is no
strain on the point your cutting[ssssssssnnnnnnnaaaaaaaaapppppppp]

what material is your wotktop and how thick

you may need a longer cutter the cutter should be inserted
with two thirds inserted into collet [chuck]

what size is your router half inch or quarter inch 6mm or 12mm

and dont let your old man exagerate the size of his tool

 

[eric_cartman]

cut in a clockwise direction if you cut anti it will push away from
the guide

Thats not correct. You feed in a clockwise direction for internal cuts but anti-clockwise on external cuts.

One of the many references and a few tips for the beginner here:

http://www.wa1.quik.com.au/tod/safe_routing_procedures.htm

 

[alfietinker]

Ooh, it all seems very scary!

Well, we got as far as marking out the hole last night - hubby still won't do roundy corners so i'll make him read this, or, even better I might even threaten to do it myself hee hee!

Other questions that have been asked: Router is 1/4 I think. Worktop is beech butchers block, quite thin at 28mm thick and not the best quality in the world.

I'm off to look at that website,

Thanks everyone

Me.

P.S. Why does my hubby think I can't use powertools? Are all men like this?!

 

[big-all]

hellooo eric

cutter rotates clockwise

so cutting an internal hole requires you to go clockwise to feed into
the work indeed if you dont the cutter will pull away from the guide
[assuming you cutting into solid wood and not an edge]

ok ive read your reply again eric and your basicly aggreaing

it was specific point for this specific hole

big all

 

[Dewy]

Simple rule:
- Anticlockwise on the outside of a workpiece.
- Clockwise round an inside shape (sink hole etc)

Hi big all, cant get away from eachother can we? lmao

 

[big-all]

heeelllooo dewy how the devil are you :

 

[deepred]

I know this topic is old now and the job in question has been done by now, I hope, but if anyone else like me has a good look at the the subjects then any comment may be valid...
I would be very cautious about fitting a belfast sink in this fashion, though it is common practice and one I have done many times when employed as a kitchen fitter.
I understand that 'Junkers' for one, will not guarantee a top that is fitted over a belfast but have not seen this in any official form.
Make sure the taps over hang the sink by plenty as I have seen a solid top ruined in a few weeks by drips from a tap.
They look really nice when fitted but consider the fact there is no drainage unless of course you are really crafty with a router

 

[Dewy]

cut in a clockwise direction if you cut anti it will push away from
the guide

Thats not correct. You feed in a clockwise direction for internal cuts but anti-clockwise on external cuts.

One of the many references and a few tips for the beginner here:

http://www.wa1.quik.com.au/tod/safe_routing_procedures.htm

big_all was correct.
This is an internal cut for a sink so it should be cut clockwise.
Someone jumped to conclusions before reading the question.

 

[alfietinker]

Hello everyone, didn't realise this was still going!

Well, it's all done and looking very nice if I do say so myself Further to the previous post, the taps do over hang by a lot and I'm paranoid about getting water on the wood - and drips get mopped up immediately.

RE the draining, we were to cowardly to attempt routing, but I bought a lovely detachable draining board off ebay.

many thanks to all

Me
xx