Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

What type of router bit is used to cut the offset for the galley hatch??? I used a plastic hinge with no offset and(of course) the hatch doesn't close fuuly at the bottom....in hind site I should have spaced the leading edge of the hinge an 1/8" to allow for this....I'd like a nice clean, uniform cut so haw does this work
Thanks,,,,TC

TC, are you sure you need to route???...if so, what you(probably) need is a rabetting bit http://www.amanatool.com/bits-fv/mr0100 ... abbet.html ...one that cuts only 1/8th can be hard to find(maybe)...I saw the one I linked to above at Amazon for 17.75 http://www.amazon.com/Amana-Tool-MR0100 ... B002QB0PVK but be very sure, 'cause it's easy to take off and hard to put back on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
madjack

Pictures??? From your description of the problem it sounds like the top fits correctly, and it is just the bottom giving trouble. If, so taking 1/8 off the entire length might give you another problem on the top.

Wish I could post pictures but computer is being a pain lately...understand what you are saying and will rethink....got plenty of time as it's cold here and tear is in storage at the moment...
Thanks TC

TC -
The easiest way to cut the notch is with a router. It is a two-step operation. First cut the notch with a rabbet bit.



(I cut a 1/4" offset. My hurricane hinge from Grant does not offset in height. This would be the same situation as the living hinge that you're using. Under neath the hatch plywood I added aluminum and I also added aluminum cap trim on my galley sidewalls. This left about 1/8" clearance for weatherstripping.)

After the notch is cut, then you come back with a pattern or template bit - the bearing rides in the notch you just cut - and remove the rest of the material.



Sounds scary, but it was really pretty easy to do.

Take care, Tom

I'm cutting my hatch offset tomorrow but I'm gonna do it on the bench. I'm doing like Tom suggested, a rabbeting bit and a pattern bit. I'm going with a 3/8" bit for the offset and I'm gonna use the better than hurricane hinge. I'm also gonna cut out the door with a 1/4" straight cutting bit. Hopefully the router won't get away from me.