Using Dremel Tool for T-Moulding Slots.

[brandorf]

Using Google groups I see that some people have used a dremel to cut
T-moulding slots. Well the T-moulding that I had glued in place using
contact cement, (See previous post: http://tinyurl.com/37pn8 ) has
come unglued. So I had the brainstorm of using the dremel, and I see
that others have done as such. Any tips/suggestions for this? What
cutting disc should I use for the job?

Thanks,

- Brandon K
- ***@brandorf.com
- www.brandorf.com

[Robb Gonyer]

Post by brandorf
Using Google groups I see that some people have used a dremel to cut
T-moulding slots. Well the T-moulding that I had glued in place using
contact cement, (See previous post: http://tinyurl.com/37pn8 ) has
come unglued. So I had the brainstorm of using the dremel, and I see
that others have done as such. Any tips/suggestions for this? What
cutting disc should I use for the job?

I needed to remake those pieces for an Atari cocktail I just finished
up. Before I installed them into the machine, I just took my table
saw, set the fence so that the blade would hit it in the middle, and
found a relatively skinny blade. That worked great. The cut was a
little bit deep in a few places, but the new T-molding held great and
the piece looks perfect.

Looks like t-moling.com has a router bit just for this problem,
however:

http://www.t-molding.com/cart/customer/product.php?productid=25&cat=5&page=1

I've never used it so I can't vouch for it, maybe someone else in here
can.

Good luck,
Robb

[Steve Muccione]

Don't do it... while it is theoretically possible, you would have to cut the
slot exactly down the line... otherwise you end up with the t-molding being
wavy with bits sticking out around the sides of the cabinet. (The difference
between a dremel and a router is the lack of a plate on the dremel to guide
you)... you can get really cheap routers... check out www.homier.com or
www.harbourfreight.com.

Your best bet is to get a slot-cutting bit and a router (www.t-molding.com
sells a slot cutting bit (they call it a t-molding bit but it's really just
a slot cutting bit). Stick it in the router and you have perfect t-molding
slots every time.

as a plus, if done properly, you should NEVER have to use glue to hold
t-molding in place (I've cut many slots and they've all come out fine).

it is possible to use a table saw IF you have a straight side you want to
cut on... if your doing a complex cabinet with cocave curves then you need
to use a router if you really want it done nicely.

steve

ps: the www.t-molding.com router bit is quite nice for the price... it's
generally cheaper then if you bought a bit from a woodworking supply place.

Post by brandorf
Using Google groups I see that some people have used a dremel to cut
T-moulding slots. Well the T-moulding that I had glued in place using
contact cement, (See previous post: http://tinyurl.com/37pn8 ) has
come unglued. So I had the brainstorm of using the dremel, and I see
that others have done as such. Any tips/suggestions for this? What
cutting disc should I use for the job?
Thanks,
- Brandon K
- www.brandorf.com

[Bones]

Post by Steve Muccione
Don't do it... while it is theoretically possible, you would have to cut the
slot exactly down the line... otherwise you end up with the t-molding being
wavy with bits sticking out around the sides of the cabinet.

I agree that it's optimal to use a router, but I used a dremel for my Ms Pac
cocktail project using a $10 router guide attachment and it came out
perfectly. Just make a test run on a scrap piece of wood to verify the
placement of the line. Use a cutting bit and you're good to go. I didn't
need nails, glue, or anything to hold the T-molding in place. So if you
don't have a router or don't feel like buying one just for this (with the
$30 T-molding bit) you can do this without much trouble.

Good luck.
Rob

[Steve Muccione]

damn... didn't even know they make router guide attachments! (probably don't
for my $5 piece of crap chinese made dremel-like tool).

steve

Post by Bones

Post by Steve Muccione
Don't do it... while it is theoretically possible, you would have to cut

the

Post by Steve Muccione
slot exactly down the line... otherwise you end up with the t-molding

being

Post by Steve Muccione
wavy with bits sticking out around the sides of the cabinet.

I agree that it's optimal to use a router, but I used a dremel for my Ms Pac
cocktail project using a $10 router guide attachment and it came out
perfectly. Just make a test run on a scrap piece of wood to verify the
placement of the line. Use a cutting bit and you're good to go. I didn't
need nails, glue, or anything to hold the T-molding in place. So if you
don't have a router or don't feel like buying one just for this (with the
$30 T-molding bit) you can do this without much trouble.
Good luck.
Rob

[Mike Haaland]

Post by brandorf
Using Google groups I see that some people have used a dremel to cut
T-moulding slots. Well the T-moulding that I had glued in place using
contact cement, (See previous post: http://tinyurl.com/37pn8 ) has
come unglued. So I had the brainstorm of using the dremel, and I see
that others have done as such. Any tips/suggestions for this? What
cutting disc should I use for the job?

Invest the $50 in a router, and the $20-$30 in a slot cutter. You'll
be glad you did. If you are restoring games, you really need 'em.

Best,

- Mike -

[Iain Odlin]

So, how do you slot-cut the inside curves with a router?

-Iain

[CitznFish]

Post by Iain Odlin
So, how do you slot-cut the inside curves with a router?
-Iain

it's called a "slot cutting bit" and you want the 1/16" size for your
router. Home Depot and lowes generally don't carry that size, but
there are many online shops that do. the bit is usually 16.oo for
everything.

[Steve Muccione]

Huh? There's no trick to it at all.. you just follow the curve.... The
slot cutting bits on a router have a berring right below the cutter head...
this berring actually contacts the wood and guides the router such that it
will follow what ever curve you have... you can use either a table mounted
router or a hand router (I prefer the hand router for this type of job as
its easier to move the router then a big freaking piece of wood).

steve

Post by Iain Odlin
So, how do you slot-cut the inside curves with a router?
-Iain

[Iain Odlin]

On Sun, 29 Feb 2004 01:02:46 GMT, "Steve Muccione"

Post by Steve Muccione
Huh? There's no trick to it at all.. you just follow the curve.... The
slot cutting bits on a router have a berring right below the cutter head...
this berring actually contacts the wood and guides the router such that it
will follow what ever curve you have... you can use either a table mounted
router or a hand router (I prefer the hand router for this type of job as
its easier to move the router then a big freaking piece of wood).

Ah! It cuts at a 90 degree angle from the motor! I was picturing the usual
sort of plunge-router bit that cuts straight in and was having difficulty,
as I mentioned, picturing how it got into an inside curve.

Thank you.
-Iain

[Steve Muccione]

ahh... ok... now i understand.

Yeah, it's quite easy with a slot-cutter... www.t-molding.com has them at a
very competative price (i checked)... I actually bought one from them and
was quite happy with it.

Best,

steve

Post by Iain Odlin
On Sun, 29 Feb 2004 01:02:46 GMT, "Steve Muccione"

Post by Steve Muccione
Huh? There's no trick to it at all.. you just follow the curve.... The
slot cutting bits on a router have a berring right below the cutter head...
this berring actually contacts the wood and guides the router such that it
will follow what ever curve you have... you can use either a table mounted
router or a hand router (I prefer the hand router for this type of job as
its easier to move the router then a big freaking piece of wood).

Ah! It cuts at a 90 degree angle from the motor! I was picturing the usual
sort of plunge-router bit that cuts straight in and was having difficulty,
as I mentioned, picturing how it got into an inside curve.
Thank you.
-Iain

[brandorf]

Post by Mike Haaland

Post by brandorf
Using Google groups I see that some people have used a dremel to cut
T-moulding slots. Well the T-moulding that I had glued in place using
contact cement, (See previous post: http://tinyurl.com/37pn8 ) has
come unglued. So I had the brainstorm of using the dremel, and I see
that others have done as such. Any tips/suggestions for this? What
cutting disc should I use for the job?

Invest the $50 in a router, and the $20-$30 in a slot cutter. You'll
be glad you did. If you are restoring games, you really need 'em.
Best,
- Mike -

I do in fact have a router Table and the Slot cutting bit. That's not
my problem. When I was originally building this cabinet, I forgot to
router the control panel sides before I put them on, so now it's
impossible both to get a router in there, or remove the sides (not
without dismantling rearly the entire cabinet anyway. Originally I
had tried using contact cement, and removing the "t" of the moulding.
(As per the original thread I mentioned), but I'm thing the dremel
might just let me get in there so I can cut a (somewhat) proper slot.

- Brandor K
- ***@brandorf.com
- www.brandorf.com

[thrushguy]

If you're going to use the dremel try to somehow fasten a guide to it.. It
might take some time to create one but it'll make cutting the whole cab alot
easier.

just my 2 cents

Scott

Post by brandorf

Post by Mike Haaland

Post by brandorf
Using Google groups I see that some people have used a dremel to cut
T-moulding slots. Well the T-moulding that I had glued in place using
contact cement, (See previous post: http://tinyurl.com/37pn8 ) has
come unglued. So I had the brainstorm of using the dremel, and I see
that others have done as such. Any tips/suggestions for this? What
cutting disc should I use for the job?

Invest the $50 in a router, and the $20-$30 in a slot cutter. You'll
be glad you did. If you are restoring games, you really need 'em.
Best,
- Mike -

I do in fact have a router Table and the Slot cutting bit. That's not
my problem. When I was originally building this cabinet, I forgot to
router the control panel sides before I put them on, so now it's
impossible both to get a router in there, or remove the sides (not
without dismantling rearly the entire cabinet anyway. Originally I
had tried using contact cement, and removing the "t" of the moulding.
(As per the original thread I mentioned), but I'm thing the dremel
might just let me get in there so I can cut a (somewhat) proper slot.
- Brandor K
- www.brandorf.com

[ChrisB]

Post by thrushguy
If you're going to use the dremel try to somehow fasten a guide to it..

It

Post by thrushguy
might take some time to create one but it'll make cutting the whole cab alot
easier.
just my 2 cents

Dremel sells a router attachment for 20 bux......

Chris

[Zinfer]

I've actually used the Dremel with great success for creating this
channel. I haven't tried the router attachment but it seems like it'd
be a good idea for keeping it straight. I think I'd actually prefer
this over the router concept. I'd be afraid of making the channel too
large.to keep the T-Molding secure over time.

On Tue, 02 Mar 2004 03:44:41 GMT, "ChrisB"

Post by ChrisB

Post by thrushguy
If you're going to use the dremel try to somehow fasten a guide to it..

It

Post by thrushguy
might take some time to create one but it'll make cutting the whole cab

alot

Post by thrushguy
easier.
just my 2 cents

Dremel sells a router attachment for 20 bux......
Chris