Thread: Routing a circular table edge ogee profile

Template Tom, You do not have to use the bearing if you use the router fence

Originally Posted by Template Tom

The table top is circular therefore requires to run on the bearing.

Tom

not quite so.

Please comment on this process:

1) turn table top over
2) mount trammel to underside of table
3) using a straight (or preferably a spiral or shear cutting) bit cut the top to the maximum diameter of the finished profile
4) remove trammell and turn the top over
5) modify the router fence so that it will contact the table edge at two points only, approximately equal distances from the centre line of the cutter
6) mount the profile bit and sneak up on the final profile in stages guided by the fence riding on the table edge

while I can't find a photo, Step 5, is the same modification you make to a marking gauge (usually with half dowels) so you can mark a consistent distance from the edge of a curve

Originally Posted by ian

Tom

not quite so.

Please comment on this process:

1) turn table top over
2) mount trammel to underside of table
3) using a straight (or preferably a spiral or shear cutting) bit cut the top to the maximum diameter of the finished profile
4) remove trammell and turn the top over
5) modify the router fence so that it will contact the table edge at two points only, approximately equal distances from the centre line of the cutter
6) mount the profile bit and sneak up on the final profile in stages guided by the fence riding on the table edge

while I can't find a photo, Step 5, is the same modification you make to a marking gauge (usually with half dowels) so you can mark a consistent distance from the edge of a curve

Ian
You are quite correct that certainly would work I have been working with the same idea only replacing the fence with bearings. (Not using the table mode as I have developed a jig where the cutter is in place bearing down) This can be seen on a DVD I have posted some months ago on Youtube for all to see.

I will have a go at the problem tomorrow with another cutter I have which is not exactly the same as the one in question

Thanks Ian for submitting a solution

Originally Posted by China

Template Tom, You do not have to use the bearing if you use the router fence

Only if you follow Ian's method then you are quite correct.

I have managed to produce a cut with the cutter I have found in my collectiom. If you look at the two cutters produced in the post above I have the one on the left which is only 1/2 the cut required.

I did comment on the movement up and down of the material which would ruin the shape of the lower part of Jill's proposed shape. So care should be taken to ensure there is no possibility of the material riding up when the cutter is used in the router table.

As most tables do Not have a very large surface in front of the fence suitable attachments will be required to be added to the fence to control the up movement of the material and no doubt this is quite easily obtained.

I still question the router positioned in the table most as the method to use.

Ian has quite rightly come up with the solution using the table mode which I accept; this would be subject to rounding the edges of the fence for easy progression and also subject to the template being produced exactly the same diameter as the proposed table top.

Also the method of a change of bearing diameter to remove the material in stages has merit and can produce the shape required has possibilities.

In each of the above instances the material can be removed in a number of stages.

I made some comment as to how I presented the first sample where I also used alternative bearings to rout the shape in stages. This was ok with the cutter I had demonstrated but when it came to using the cutter Jill had purchased alternative processes must be adopted to produce the complet shape Jill was after irrespective of the material that was to be used.

In my second attempt using a cutter which was only 1/2 of what is required I have managed to rout the lower 1/2 of the shape required.

There are a number of photographs of how this was achieved, which would fill a large portion of the forum post, so I have decided to work on a presentation where i can submit all the details on the web site I have established; with the material being available for everone who may be interested in my results. This will include drawings and photographs of the project. (Lower part)

The two methods mentioned above with the use of the table mode which has shown it can be done is not the method I would choose to complete the process.

Here are a couple of shots taken showing a small portion of the circular top which was produced using the same template I used for the original post with the new cutter in use

I would like to point out to anyone who maybe interested in using such a cutter Take great care and Do not attempt to produce the shape with only one cut

To those who may be interested in how to produce the edge on the round table top with the cutter Jill has suggested, I have posted the answer on my web site 'solving a problem' as it would have been too long a post to submit here. Just as a matter of interset not one template guide was used.
http://newtorouting.com

Many thanks for everyone's comments, esp to Tom who took the time and trouble to actually do this profile and then showed us the results in cross sectional view.

there is a lot of valuable advice on this thread, and on Tom's web site

Originally Posted by JillB

Many thanks for everyone's comments, esp to Tom who took the time and trouble to actually do this profile and then showed us the results in cross sectional view.

there is a lot of valuable advice on this thread, and on Tom's web site

Just to add the final details of how to produce the cut I have set out the waste material for only four stages of producing the edge. Personally I think I would have used more if I was in possession of that cutter

Thanks for this, Tom, much appreciated. I have never seen this type of drawing before - well done!

How would you control the depth of cut with the router on a circular table?

Any chance of putting up some photos of your router sled /ski both here and on your web site? I was trying to explain it here, but in this case a picture is worth a thousand words

Originally Posted by JillB

Thanks for this, Tom, much appreciated. I have never seen this type of drawing before - well done!

How would you control the depth of cut with the router on a circular table?

Any chance of putting up some photos of your router sled /ski both here and on your web site? I was trying to explain it here, but in this case a picture is worth a thousand words

Jill
Details have been posted on my website with a pic of what you have just explained in your other post. Home - Routing with Tom O'Donnell also it can be seen in action on videeos I have submitted to youtube www.routingwithtomodonnell.com
Routing a circular table top can be controlled by adding the two extra bearings to the jig that you have just explained

Originally Posted by JillB

Thanks for this, Tom, much appreciated. I have never seen this type of drawing before - well done!

How would you control the depth of cut with the router on a circular table?

Any chance of putting up some photos of your router sled /ski both here and on your web site? I was trying to explain it here, but in this case a picture is worth a thousand words

Hi Jill

here's how to modify your router's fence so that it will trace around the table top.
For this technique to work, the top must first be trimmed to the final diameter.

I've copied Template Tom's excellent diagram

Thanks for this information, Ian, very much appreciated. I liked the graphical presentation, a picture is worth a thousand words.

Originally Posted by ian

Hi Jill

here's how to modify your router's fence so that it will trace around the table top.
For this technique to work, the top must first be trimmed to the final diameter.

I've copied Template Tom's excellent diagram

Great Ian now people have a choice of producing the edge required with Greater Safety Awareness.
P.S. I should have added a further comment when producing the edge which would be relevant using both methods.

"When proceding to produce any of the four cuts, engage the template on the 'far-away' contact point and proceed by moving the template round before engaging the cutter bearing." and further note, start the process going with the grain of the timber if solid timber is to be used.

Something else that requires attention.

Make sure the router is securely locked at the desired depth that will take the final cut as some routers may vibrate loose during the process