Question About Jig Saw Waffling

[John6012]

Got it all cut out and find a few "uneven" or high spots on the curves. I hesitate using the belt sander because it takes off too much so I'll use a wood rasp to smooth it out. After that I'll screw/glue it to the floor and put a couple of bows in place. Have to get a friend help me load it on the trailer before it gets too heavy. Got to get the trailer suports welded.

[Steve Frederick]

Snip.. I actually cut a pattern with my circular saw in 1/8", fined tuned it with a sander and then used that as a pattern and cut all of my peices with a router. Bob

This is the way I like to do it. Luan for a pattern is cheap, the experience/practice is good for you, and you can fine tune the shape before cutting the good stuff!

[doug hodder]

Snip.. I actually cut a pattern with my circular saw in 1/8", fined tuned it with a sander and then used that as a pattern and cut all of my peices with a router. Bob

This is the way I like to do it. Luan for a pattern is cheap, the experience/practice is good for you, and you can fine tune the shape before cutting the good stuff!

The beauty of doing it that way is when the pattern is all said and done. you can just crank it out with a pattern bit on the router in the good stuff, and get a really clean 90 degree edge....it's helpful to save your templates however...I'm gonna do another and cut up the template for other uses....oh well... I guess I can just do a different profile...Doug

[Ken A Hood]

Snip.. I actually cut a pattern with my circular saw in 1/8", fined tuned it with a sander and then used that as a pattern and cut all of my peices with a router. Bob

This is the way I like to do it. Luan for a pattern is cheap, the experience/practice is good for you, and you can fine tune the shape before cutting the good stuff!

The beauty of doing it that way is when the pattern is all said and done. you can just crank it out with a pattern bit on the router in the good stuff, and get a really clean 90 degree edge....it's helpful to save your templates however...I'm gonna do another and cut up the template for other uses....oh well... I guess I can just do a different profile...Doug

Are you guys using a top or bottom bearing flush trim bit? I'm assuming it's a top bearing bit, since the template will be on top and routed that way.

Thanks, Ken

[doug hodder]

Ken...use either one....if using a bottom bearing, just make sure that you have the depth adjusted well on the router or you'll eat up both the material and your template....If it were me...and I do this, I shoot some screws into the material to hold the template.near the cutting edge.....don't count on only weights or spring clamps....just my experience....Here's another trick that I do....I have a sheet of thick styrofoam insulation that I rout on when using top bearing bits....just set it up on your table and rout...don't have to worry about the depth of the bit as it is only running into styrofoam, jump up on the table and kneel on it while you cut...Also works great when cutting out with a hand held jig saw....Doug