Draining board grooves

[Dave Thornley]

Having decided to cut the grooves in my oak draining board I proceeded to get a secondhand mdf jig. As a one off so no need for expensive laminate one. Now jig os 17mm thick for starters. Measuring the slot at the oint where the groove will disappear it is 42mm from jig top to worksurface. Now my big problem is my 20mm round nosed bit will not reach the work surface at the end of the run. The instruction say the bit should just touch the worksurface at the end resulting in a groopve of 6mm at sink end. Problem is my bit is around 10mm short and unable to get good purchase in the router. TYHis is trying to use my 1/4 in Trend router. If I try to use my 1/2 in Makita I come across the problem that the fastening nut on the router will not pass through the 30mm guide bush. I have looked for cutter with longer shafts but having difficulty finding one. I have thought about modifying the jig not really sure whyit has such thick supports for starters.
Anyone any ideas.

 

[Deleted member 174758]

Buy a bit with a longer shank! Try Trend Pro range, Titman or the like not DIY ranges

 

[Dave Thornley]

Was hoping not to have to spend that much plus the Trend one is only 57mm in total length, not enough for my needs.

 

[Deleted member 174758]

When i was doing Corian worktops and sinks a few years back I used to use a 1/2in router (a DW625 partly because they have a about the greatest plunge range on the market) and a 1/2in coving bit with an extra long shank - the type designed for use in CNC carving. The bits I got came from the local Trend dealer and were either from the Pro or Industrial ranges, with a shank length of 80 to 90mm. I doubt that any 1/4in shank will hack it at that length as the small shanks are just to wimpy (i.e they would bend and snap too easily). Seem to recall the cutters we used being about the £40 mark about 10 or 12 years back

 

[foxhole]

Router Collet extension?

 

[Dave Thornley]

When i was doing Corian worktops and sinks a few years back I used to use a 1/2in router (a DW625 partly because they have a about the greatest plunge range on the market) and a 1/2in coving bit with an extra long shank - the type designed for use in CNC carving. The bits I got came from the local Trend dealer and were either from the Pro or Industrial ranges, with a shank length of 80 to 90mm. I doubt that any 1/4in shank will hack it at that length as the small shanks are just to wimpy (i.e they eould bend snd snao too easily). Seem to recall the cutters we used being about the £40 mark about 10 or 12 years back

Yes can get various Trend ones prices £25 to £40 dependant on range but all too short in overall length. Agree that the 1/4 with long shanks would be under some strain, could probably do it but need quite a few passes to not take too much off in one hit. There are 75mm long ones from unknown companies at about £15 so might give one a go as it will be a one off use. Another reason the lopng one needed is that I am using a Makita 1/2 router and the tightening nut will not go through the 30mm bush so depth of plunge does not come into it..

 

[Dave Thornley]

Router Collet extension?

Never knew such a thing existed. Looked them up and seem a way of extending the cutting depth but not if using a guide bush as again the end of the extension will not pass through a 30mm one. Nice avatar by the way.

 

[big-all]

do you have the cutter shank out the collet by about 10-15mm ??

 

[Dave Thornley]

No but if I did is still not going to be long enough. I do not really understand why the side supports for the drainer jig are so large. The rear of the jig ie side furthest away from sink is 42mm above the work surface no need to be so high. Whole jig could sit 10mm nearer worksurface ,would perform same and no trouble then with router bits.

 

[Deleted member 174758]

Router Collet extension?

Designed for use in a router table. Questionable safety when used hand held, I'd say

 

[Deleted member 174758]

Another reason the lopng one needed is that I am using a Makita 1/2 router and the tightening nut will not go through the 30mm bush so depth of plunge does not come into it..

So, just another reason why I wouldn't want a Makita 1/2in router....... And the reason the jig is so thick is for rigidity and durability (both essential in trade use). TBH this sounds like the Trend jig, which AFAIK is designed to work with their Pro or Industrial bits and their 1/2in router (current versions are mainly clones of the DW625). This jig will work for the target market - trade joiners and kitchen fitters who probably wouldn't consider using a 1/4in router or a short DIY bit in the first place.

 

[Dave Thornley]

Ordered a 1/2 in collet extension piece for the Makita roouter. Will do a test run on a spare piece of worktop first.

 

[Dave Thornley]

All completed with no accidents. A couple of points of not the collet extension fastening nut was a close fit in the 30mm guide bush but worked okay. I find it strange that the bit fastening nut on the router will not pass through the 30mm Makita guide bush even though 30mm guide bushes are in common use.