The right tools make the job much easier...

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Posted by xiaou2 on 17, 2001 at 2:34 AM:

In Reply to: Comments about the type of wood to Make my CP was not a wise choice... posted by Reg on 16, 2001 at 9:26 PM:

: Hi,

: I have take the whole weekend to work on my CP.

: I have based my design on the Lusid one.

: I have choosen 3/4 inch particle wood...

: This type of wook contain glue and even sand!

: I was using a Dremel with a brand new tip...
: (The tip overheat and was not cutting after 3 inch of work!)

: Finally I try a tool that is based on a small vibrating sculpting plate... I worked like a charm...

: But If I had to redo it, I will do it by gluing together two panel one of top the other by doing so there will be no need to use a router to make the hole for the trackball, for the spinner and for the joysticks.

: I think eve it will ease the work for the T-Molding ...
: it will be just a matter of removing 1/32 inch on each panel before gluing them together...

: So no need of a router !

: thanks
: Reg

Hey Reg,

Your control panel material was correct... it was the tools you used that werent :)

A dremel is for small and Fine details... Not for cutting through large wood!

The best tools for a 'button hole' is a
'hole saw' - a circular cup like shape that has teeth at the bottom. You need a standard drill to use it.

There are 2 tools that you can use for larger holes. First you could drill a hole in the center... then use a scroll saw to cut the rest out...

An even easier tool that has came out more recently is called the RotoZip. The tool is like a router... and uses drill bits that are sharp on ALL sides. (I just bought the Bits and used them with my standard drill - they work great :) This mean that you can move the bit like a scroll saw. It cuts large holes in like 2 minutes! (would take 10 minutes using a scroll saw and drill... forever using anything else :)

Also, Routers arnt really for cutting holes. They cut to much surface area... and that is slow work. They are for smooth detailed edges and designs.

Gluing several sheets of woof together means measuring and cutting more parts out... and waiting for them to dry... ugg.

For future reference :)

Sincerely,
Xiaou2
:)

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: : Hi, : : I have take the whole weekend to work on my CP. : : I have based my design on the Lusid one. : : I have choosen 3/4 inch particle wood... : : This type of wook contain glue and even sand! : : I was using a Dremel with a brand new tip... : : (The tip overheat and was not cutting after 3 inch of work!) : : Finally I try a tool that is based on a small vibrating sculpting plate... I worked like a charm... : : But If I had to redo it, I will do it by gluing together two panel one of top the other by doing so there will be no need to use a router to make the hole for the trackball, for the spinner and for the joysticks. : : I think eve it will ease the work for the T-Molding ... : : it will be just a matter of removing 1/32 inch on each panel before gluing them together... : : So no need of a router ! : : thanks : : Reg : : Hey Reg, : : Your control panel material was correct... it was the tools you used that werent :) : A dremel is for small and Fine details... Not for cutting through large wood! : The best tools for a 'button hole' is a : 'hole saw' - a circular cup like shape that has teeth at the bottom. You need a standard drill to use it. : There are 2 tools that you can use for larger holes. First you could drill a hole in the center... then use a scroll saw to cut the rest out... : OR : An even easier tool that has came out more recently is called the RotoZip. The tool is like a router... and uses drill bits that are sharp on ALL sides. (I just bought the Bits and used them with my standard drill - they work great :) This mean that you can move the bit like a scroll saw. It cuts large holes in like 2 minutes! (would take 10 minutes using a scroll saw and drill... forever using anything else :) : Also, Routers arnt really for cutting holes. They cut to much surface area... and that is slow work. They are for smooth detailed edges and designs. : Gluing several sheets of woof together means measuring and cutting more parts out... and waiting for them to dry... ugg. : For future reference :) : Sincerely, : Xiaou2 : :)

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