Chamfer/Rounding handles and cabinet edges.

[djtecthreat]

Whats the most simple way to build a jig for cutting and rounding out the insides of the handles on my Titan48 and Otop12's? and What size bit do I use?

Also, I need to buy/build a "Gate" of some kind, and a bit for rounding the edges and corners off the cabs. What should I be looking for.

I'm sure there's a bit of a learning curve, but I'd like to do this the most simple way. I've got a Craftsman 1-1/2HP router that has 3 mounting holes on the bottom.


Thanks!

[DaveK]

1/4" roundover bit with a bearing on the bottom. The bearing follows the cutout (but it's a little tricky when you flip it over to round the other side)

[djohnson573]

For cutting out the handle holes,it is easy to build a template and attach a guide bushing to your router. Basically, you take a piece of wood and cut out a hole a little larger than the hole you want to replicate. Attach the template to your work piece, place your router with the guide bushing against the edge of the template, and guide the router around the template hole. Use a spiral bit and make several passes increasing the depth of cut each time.

The size of the template hole and the thickness of the template vary according to your router and the bushing you choose. Here is a link that my explain it better than I can:

http://www.newwoodworker.com/guidebush.html

[bgavin]

That was an excellent reference for guide bushings.

[SoundInMotionDJ]

+2

I've been using guide bushings with my router for years. I actually prefer to use bushings to bits with bearings.

[Harley]

http://www.newwoodworker.com/guidebush.html

Bill, this should be a sticky.

[djtecthreat]

The bushing guide is really helpful for my handle jigs. Is it still wise to use the bit with a bearing on the bottom for the round-off of the cabinet edges?

[bgavin]

I moved the topic here, because this section is not supposed to get pruned.

[Tim A]

The bushing guide is really helpful for my handle jigs. Is it still wise to use the bit with a bearing on the bottom for the round-off of the cabinet edges?

It's not only wise, it's necessary. The bushing has to contact the workpiece and it can't do that with a roundover bit.

I use both bushings and bearing-guided bits depending on the application. If this is all you're ever going to do with your router, skip the expense of the bushing and just get a top-bearing straight bit and a bearing guided roundover. For the straight bit get a 1/2" diameter, it will cut better than a smaller bit. For the roundover on handles, all you're looking for is comfort, so use a 1/8". By using the smaller radii you can route both sides fully and the bearing will still make full contact with the workpiece.

Using bearing guided bits also simplifies the template for someone new to woodworking, as it only needs to be the same size as your finished opening.