Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

i wondering what would be better to cut out the door in my wall panel...a router or jigsaw....jigsaw i have , router i do not but can get one from a friend....door is basically a 32 x 36 square with round corners on all 4 sides.....anybody have any step by step pics .....how did you start to cut???? drill a hole and then start??? thanks for the help...

I know both have been done.

I used a jigsaw for the upper curve in the door but I used a circular saw and a straight edge for the sides and bottom. I just plunge cut with the circular saw. Makes for a straighter cut than a jigsaw, in my humble opinion.

I used a jig saw but if I were to do it again I'd use a router.
Philip

I recommend the jigsaw. You can use a router and get better results, but you can also make a terrible mess of the job. A router doesn't just go where you push it, like a saw does. For how to do it, google "pattern routing." The other consideration is a saw kerf is 1/8 inch wide. The router will make a cut 1/2 inch wide.

One careless move with a powerful router and several inches of sidewall are sawdust. Use a saw.

You could make a jig for the router and use a rub collar. Or as Planovet said plunge cut with a circular saw and then the jig saw. For the radius areas go clockwise it gives ya a better cut

Chris d

I did like Planovet did... Plunged with the skill saw... I had clamped down a piece of wood, and it made a perfectly straight cut. I cleaned up the corners with a jig saw...



Mike...

If I had it to do over I would not use the cheap jig saw I have. I don't know if a better saw would make a big differance. The inside of the cut always seems to be a smaller radius than the outside. I never considered a jig saw a presion tool so I just buy cheap ones. Maybe thats my mistake.
Brwbier

As I have both; prefer the router. Jigsaw; even with a fine blade still leaves a rough edge.

I use a router, but my router follows a pattern/jig/template. And I cut the pattern/jig/template with a jig-saw.

I duno what to tell you.

Happy Trails

Len

My vote is for a router. I used a template and router with bushing and 1/4" spiral cut carbide bit. It does create a 1/4" clearance between door and opening. My trim will take the gap down to 1/8". If you need a smaller clearance, you can use an adaptor and a 1/8" Rotozip bit.

Template:



Routed door:



Tom

Just goes to show you that there are a couple of ways to come up with a quality cut.

I should note that I use a quality 'jig saw' and the blades I use are 32t per inch, straight up and down. You have to take your time. they are easy to burn. I might add. The straight tooth does not rip or splinter and is the main reason I use that blade. It even cuts foam board like butter.


The end result of the way I do it is as follows:

If using a jig saw...the nice hollow ground blades like Gage has shown will give you a superior cut over the stamped ones. Pay the dough and get a good one....you'll be happier. Doug

I cut the door out of the side with both a circular saw and a jigsaw. I love my jigsaw, I think it's the best. I've been using crappy ones all my life until I decided to get a good one. It's like night and day.

I'll second everyone on the use of good jig saw blades and a good jig saw. Personally I like the Bosch jig saw. To get the smoothest cuts, turn the "orbital" setting off.