How To Cut Thin Slots In Wood
The router will turn it to sawdust but you can buy moldings at most D.I.Y. Use a router with a cutting bit, you say you will be using an old 2 inch door, so cut a slot in each side to within an inch or so of the front of the shelf, screw the molding to the walls and slide the shelf over the moldings. Cutting a.020' wide slot to the length and depth you want would be murder with an end mill. A slitting saw is what you need. Of coarse, a slitting saw will not give you a nice square end and that is what you need, you may have to finish with an end mill.
- How To Cut Thin Slots In Wood Floors
- How To Cut Thin Slots In Wood Lathe
- How To Cut Thin Slots In Wood Dowels
Router Bit Edge Groove Cutters
4-Wing Slot Cutter Bits
DeckWise® Router Bits have been specifically designed to create a perfectly symmetrical groove to accept Ipe Clip® Hidden Deck Fasteners. The 4-wing design provides a smooth cut for creating slots and grooves in decking material including exotic hardwoods, thermally treated softwoods, and composites. Two sizes available and fits most router devices.
Router Bit Slot Cutting Instructions
Warning: Do not use bit if dull, cracked or damaged. Bits exceeding 1” diameter should be mounted in a router table. Never exceed maximum (16,000 RPM) recommended for this bit. (Visit deckwise.com/safety for additional safety instructions.)
Safety Equipment: Eye Protection, Dust Mask, & Ear Plugs
Residents of California: Please see Proposition 65 information & warning
Deck Groove Profile
Cutting Slots with a Hand Held Router
Make sure the deck board is securely clamped to work area using a clamp at each end.
Step 1: Insert Router Bit
ALWAYS unplug the power cord before removing or installing router bit. Insert the bit until the arbor (shank) hits the bottom of the collet chuck; then ease it out about 1/8” to 1/4” before tightening the collet.
Step 2: Set Router Depth
Adjust the bit to the correct depth following the deck groove profile above.
(Visit deckwise.com/deck-groove-profile for more details on the groove profile.)
Step 3: Cut Slots in Deck Board
Place the baseplate on the edge of the board so the router bit is in position. Turn on router and grasp the router with both hands. Do not allow the bit to come in contact with the wood until the router is up to full speed. Moving from left to right, plunge the cutting bit in the side of the deck board above each joist and cut.
Step 4: Fit Ipe Clip® in Deck Board Slot
The DeckWise® Ipe Clip® should slide into the slot above the joist with the legs flush against the side of the deck board. Make sure the top of the clip is level in the slot above the joist.
Cutting Grooves Along Entire Deck Board
Determine the correct cut depth setting of the router bit by following the diagram above.
Step 1: Secure Deck Boards
Make sure both ends of the deck board is securely clamped before routing.
Step 2: Cut Groove
Turn on the router. Ease the bit into the left end of the deck board while keeping the baseplate of the router flat on the surface of the deck board. Cut groove from left to right, moving the router along the deck board with both hands while allowing the bit to cut the groove. Keep moving the router steadily until you reach the other end. Turn off router.
Using a Router Table
Step 1: Install Router Motor in Table
Set up router table according to manufacturer’s instructions. Tighten the DeckWise® Slot Cutter bit into the router and mount the router in the base. Adjust the height of the bit to fit the groove profile shown on the previous page.
(Visit deckwise.com/deck-groove-profile for more details on the groove profile.)
Step 2: Align Deck Board
Attach the fence guide to the router table to keep deck board straight. Clamp featherboards to the table and the fence to keep the decking snug against the fence and to help resist kickback.
How To Cut Thin Slots In Wood Floors
Step 3: Groove Deck Board
Turn on router. Hold deck board firmly against the fence and push past the bit moving from right to left. Use push sticks or pads to keep your hands away from the bit. Turn off the router when entire board is grooved.
Tip: To avoid burn marks from the router bit, feed the board at a steady rate without stopping. The rate of feed depends on the bit and type of hardwood.
Step 4: Fit Ipe Clip® in Deck Board Groove
The DeckWise® Ipe Clip® should slide into the groove with the legs flush against the deck board. Make sure the top of the clip is level in the groove.
Symmetrical Grooves
The symmetrical groove profile allows boards to be reversed and/or flipped to put the best side up. Whether using pre-grooved deck boards or cutting groove slots on the job, the DeckWise® Hidden Deck Fastener Clip fits perfectly within the edge groove and allows just the right amount of tolerance for an easy installation.
This is the best way to cut wood without splintering and it is so incredibly easy!
The hubs and I have been working on a project that I should have installed and ready to show you next week, but I thought I’d share a little tip with you in the meantime.
Cutting can be a problem if the wood is too thin or if you are cutting something with a laminate overlay because the wood will splinter or the laminate (which is just really thin plastic,) will chip. That doesn’t make for a very pretty finished product. And let’s face it if you are going to haul out your power tools and make a big mess, you better have something lovely in the end to show for it. Right?
I used this trick awhile back when we were installing white laminate counter tops (yet another project that I haven’t posted here yet…ugh.) So when we had to cut this really thin (5mm) underlayment I knew just what to do.
This is the best way to cut wood without it splintering…and it won’t take you but an extra 10 seconds.
First, you will need to mark your cut with a pencil. So do your measurements (twice) and get ready to cut (once.)
Once you have your line, tape along your mark with painters tape, so that the line is on the side of the piece of wood that you don’t want to keep.
Then make your cut along the line with your saw.
The tape holds the wood together so that even the cheapest piece of wood comes out with a clean edge.
How To Cut Thin Slots In Wood Lathe
I’m using these pieces of underlayment in a part of a project that will be visible so I don’t want all those ugly splinters. Hopefully I’ll have it done this weekend and ready to show it to you next week!
/biscuit-joiner-56a6327e3df78cf7728bc949.JPG "How to cut thin slots in wood floors")
Have a fabulous weekend!