Trim Router question

[Mary K]

Hi Folks, I have a question about the the trim again.

I want to router all the corners/edges on my exterior trim, do I do that before (on the bench piece by piece) I glue & screw it on the TD OR after its installed? My first guess is after it is installed, but I just want to make sure.

Clear as mud huh?

Thanks

Mk

[Miriam C.]

I hate being negative but, are you going to be able to control the router enough to not gouge the trim... any way you can do it on the td and then glue it?

I don no nutin bout no router.

[halfdome, Danny]

Mary, I would suggest you route (your router) the trim after it is installed on the teardrop. This is if you have enough clearance so the bottom bearing dosen't gouge your plywood/walls. Your inside corners will have a radius & it it should look okay. To route before hand will leave gaps in your joints that you would need to make a mating piece like cope and stick. Danny

[PaulC]

Hi Mary, for what it's worth I always router mine after it's fitted. I find it tends to hide the mistakes underneath it better Just be careful not to use to much pressure holding the router against the TD. Two light passes are much better than one heavy one.
Cheers
Paul

Just remembered(it hurts) Do not hold the router in one spot for any length of time otherwise you will end up with a burn mark. Use a continuos motion along the length. If you need a rest, pull the router away gradually. Then feed it back in from where it is already trimmed.

[Podunkfla]

MaryK... Like Danny said, routing it in place is the easiest way. The only area you may have trouble is around the fenders... unless they are removable? If you have a small trim router you may be able to get in there ok. I usually use a 1/4" radius bit for 3/4" trim... generally, the bearing screw won't scratch the base wood. Larger bits can get tricky to get clearance, but 3/8" will work (I've even filed down the set screw).

I like to use a home-made router base for doing roundovers like that. It just sticks out on one side far enough to bridge over to some of the other trim... makes it easy to keep the router flat. Sometimes I even make one that sticks out both sides so it works if you have trim left or right to rest on. I have some made from 3/8" plexy, but 1/4" masonite is good (it's slick on one side) or plywood (with scrap formica stuck to it makes it slide easy) will work fine too. I stick a spare hand plane or cabinet knob on the extension to grab with one hand, router with other. I find this really makes it eaiser and faster for me to really go to town on stuff like this. I hope this made some kind of sense?

[Mary K]

Thanks everyone.

Brick, I didn't even think of the fender trim. That will be a PITA. I will have to take the router apart and try to figure out what you are talking about.

I appreciate yalls help!!

Mk

[Steve_Cox]

Mk,

I rounded the trim off after it was installed too. On the tight spots I used a laminate trimmer and a radius router bit that had the bearing bolt head ground down to increase the depth clearance. Might be a better way, but that was what I had at hand to do the job.

[Podunkfla]

Thanks everyone.

Brick, I didn't even think of the fender trim. That will be a PITA. I will have to take the router apart and try to figure out what you are talking about.

I appreciate yalls help!!

Mk

You don't have to take off anything but the router base plate, usually black plastic with a few screws. Here's a pic of an extended base for cutting circles. Different use, I know, but the same principal...

[Mary K]

Hey Brick COOL I get it now!!!! :lightbulb: Thanks!!


Well, I just finished cutting all the side trim. YEAH!


Just the top trim left ta do. That will be easy with out all those funky curves. I am going to start glueing and screwing the side trim down tonght.

I forsee a LOT of hand sanding in my future

Wish me luck,

Thanks again folks!!!

Mk

[Miriam C.]

Good luck Mary K.

And a dance for you too! [img]http://smilies.sofrayt.com/^/r/dance.gif[/img]

Have fun and GitRdun

[halfdome, Danny]

I forsee a LOT of hand sanding in my future

Wish me luck,

Thanks again folks!!!

Mk

That's only half of woodworking Danny

[steve wolverton]

I want to router all the corners/edges on my exterior trim, do I do that before (on the bench piece by piece) I glue & screw it on the TD OR after its installed? My first guess is after it is installed, but I just want to make sure.

Keep us posted on this Mary. I want to do the same thing with my red stripe, and also the interior door frame. I'm going to pick up a cheap Harbor Freight trim router and try it. I know just enough about routers to scare the bejeezus out of myself.

[Miriam C.]

I want to router all the corners/edges on my exterior trim, do I do that before (on the bench piece by piece) I glue & screw it on the TD OR after its installed? My first guess is after it is installed, but I just want to make sure.

Keep us posted on this Mary. I want to do the same thing with my red stripe, and also the interior door frame. I'm going to pick up a cheap Harbor Freight trim router and try it. I know just enough about routers to scare the bejeezus out of myself.

Great two people to watch. If it works out I might go get me one..

[neal b]

hey mary k keeeeeep up the GREAT work its a loooookin good

neal b

[toypusher]

.................I forsee a LOT of hand sanding in my future
Mk

Get a contour sander. Or some sanding blocks that you can shape. Of course you can get a bullnose bit in the correct size and make your own contour sanding block.