Routing a precision 'ledge' for GG in mahogany, which bit type?

[Tin Can]

Exactly!

I was not allowed to take shop classes in high school, nor art classes. I was put on a college prep route. So, I became a Vietnam era college dropout who became a self taught mechanic. To increase my stubbornness, my father would never let me touch anything mechanical or hand work, such as woodworking. He relied on experts, damn fool, got taken for a ride by his experts.

After you screw it up once, it'll be much easier the second time around!

[vinny]

On my 8x10 that i recently finished, I used spiral upcut bits on my milling machine after the back was glued up. Making the cut too deep isn't as much of an issue as too shallow since you could shim the ground glass to get it perfect.

[Tin Can]

Ah, good advice Vinny.


Thanks!

On my 8x10 that i recently finished, I used spiral upcut bits on my milling machine after the back was glued up. Making the cut too deep isn't as much of an issue as too shallow since you could shim the ground glass to get it perfect.

[Jim Jones]

My router hasn't been dismounted from a cheap router table in years. The fence is usually mounted, too. It's far more accurate than needed for a camera back. As for precision, it's the craftsman, not the machine, that accomplishes that. The machine is merely more productive and convenient. Amateur telescope makers were finishing mirrors to within a fraction of the wavelength of light long ago. Stradivari was making decent fiddles without fancy equipment, too.

[Tin Can]

You are correct, I ran across one guy who uses a trim router to make custom violins.

I have also heard of people hand boring rifle barrels, that must be a good bit of work. (pun intended)

My router hasn't been dismounted from a cheap router table in years. The fence is usually mounted, too. It's far more accurate than needed for a camera back. As for precision, it's the craftsman, not the machine, that accomplishes that. The machine is merely more productive and convenient. Amateur telescope makers were finishing mirrors to within a fraction of the wavelength of light long ago. Stradivari was making decent fiddles without fancy equipment, too.

[Paul Fitzgerald]

Randy,

"I may rout the ledge in the 4 pieces first and then build the GG holder."

backwards, the ledge will extent to the ends, light leaks, dust collector, weakness, alignment problems while gluing, ect.

"My 1/2" stock right now is 0.504. I'm going to let it set a while and adjust to my RH. Then I will sand it to darn close to 0.500"

backwards, better to sand to final dimensions after it's glued and routed

"I do wish I had that granite surface block they threw away at work."

too damn handy not to have one large enough, look around look around, it's called 'sport shopping':
building tear-down near by?
granite counter-top store?
gravestone shop?
marble slab for making candies and pastries?

"After you screw it up once, it'll be much easier the second time around!"

Yeap, cut it twice and it's still too short!

[redshift]

I wouldn't use a router if I have a table saw. Stand the pieces on edge. Set the blade depth to match the ledge the glass will sit on. Use a featherboard to hold the piece against the fence. A countertop place should have an offcut from a kitchen sink.

[Jac@stafford.net]

Randy,

"I may rout the ledge in the 4 pieces first and then build the GG holder."

backwards, the ledge will extent to the ends, light leaks, dust collector, weakness, alignment problems while gluing, ect.

To obviate that, would it not suffice cut the ends at 45 degree angles? I don't see that very often, and wonder why.

[Tin Can]

Which brings up biscuits, can biscuits be used on 1/2" stock at the 45 degree joint?

To obviate that, most will cut the ends at 45 degree angles.

[Paul Fitzgerald]

"To obviate that, most will cut the ends at 45 degree angles."

Yes, and the finger joints / tenons?