window/storage/door cutouts

[Wild Bill]

I have a router and have very little experience with using it. I want to cut out window openings and storage door openings, I have the framing with ply and sheeting over that. I have looked at the different bits to use, any information would be appreciated. Bill

[Miriam C.]

Get some practice or use a jig saw.

http://www.google.com/search?q=router+b ... CDYQqwQwAw

Perhaps this will help.

[dh]

Make a template out of scraps, then use a template bit, which has a bearing on the top, and cut those openings out, as the bearing will ride on your template, life should be relatively easy.

[kennyrayandersen]

Make a template out of scraps, then use a template bit, which has a bearing on the top, and cut those openings out, as the bearing will ride on your template, life should be relatively easy.

Yes, I second that.

The router manufacturer should also (unless you got a REAL cheap router) sell some accessory guides as well that screw into the bottom center of your router base. The guide is cylindrical, but has a hole that goes through the center axis. The router bit goes through this hole in the guide. The guide rides up against your hole template, which has to be just slightly larger than the hole you want to account for the difference between the guide and the router bit diameters. This way you can make one template and then use it over and over.

The bits with the guide bearings also work very well – just depends on what you are trying to do.

[madjack]

Make a template out of scraps, then use a template bit, which has a bearing on the top, and cut those openings out, as the bearing will ride on your template, life should be relatively easy.

Yes, I second that.

The router manufacturer should also (unless you got a REAL cheap router) sell some accessory guides as well that screw into the bottom center of your router base. The guide is cylindrical, but has a hole that goes through the center axis. The router bit goes through this hole in the guide. The guide rides up against your hole template, which has to be just slightly larger than the hole you want to account for the difference between the guide and the router bit diameters. This way you can make one template and then use it over and over.

The bits with the guide bearings also work very well – just depends on what you are trying to do.

...that's how we did it...the accessory is known as a "guide bushing set" and can be bought for specific routers or a kinda universal set can be had from Harbor Freight...as with any new skill...practice, practice practice before you ever start on the real thing........
madjack

[aggie79]

Make a template out of scraps, then use a template bit, which has a bearing on the top, and cut those openings out, as the bearing will ride on your template, life should be relatively easy.

There are three basic ways of routing an opening. The first two use a pattern bit with bearing.

The first way with pattern bit is to trace the outline of the opening or cut out using the template. Remove the template and use a jig saw or other type of saw to rough cut the opening. Put the template back in place and use the router with template bit to "clean up" the edges. (The template can be clamped if it is big enough to allow room for the router base to clear the clamps or the template can be held temporarily in place with double-sided tape.)

The second way takes a "short" pattern bit. The template itself will need to be thicker material - 3/4" or so. Install the template. Then use the router to make multiple passes or cuts of about 1/16" at a time until the depth of the cut is about 1/4". Use a jig saw to cut through the full thickness of the material keeping the jig saw cut line centered in the width of the router bit cut (dado). After the opening is cut, clean up the edges with the router with the bearing of the template bit riding on the edge that was previously routed.

Like everyone said, a third way to route an opening is to use a guide bushing and a spiral, straight, or shear bit. (These bits do not have bearings.) The bushing rides against a template (in the picture below I used 1/4" mdf). Like the second method, the bit is advanced deeper with each pass. There is clearance between the bushing and the bit, so unlike the first two methods, your template has to take into account this offset.



I used this method to cut out my doors.

[Wild Bill]

Thanks for the replies, not much of a wood worker, bought the router and bit set at an estate sale about a year ago. It is a Craftsman with a lot of adjustments, a circle ring to adjust the depth a light etc. Have never owned one or used one before, bit set has about 20 different bits, went to the Farm and Fleet and they sell a bit just for doing cut outs, I may have one I just need to look now that I see what it looks like. They should have "classes" at these large gatherings for all of us that need the tutoring. I can weld, cut, have built my own garage, but have never used this tool. I do not have a build "thread" will have to check my Album for my slow progress. I have a lot of big items off my plate now and should be about ready to get back to my build project and stay with it till finished, thanks to everyone for all the information. Bill