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Message
Creating a "drop-in" hole on a large piece of furniture
Posted on 7/17/15 at 3:46 pm
Posted on 7/17/15 at 3:46 pm
I'm not sure whether that is the correct terminology but I have a desk that I house my record collection in with my turntable on top. I plan to sand/stain (would an electric sander be beneficial here?) it eventually to match my computer desk but before I get there I want to create a "drop-in" hole for a metal-plate-piece of art I want to display.
The desk, it seems, is not hollow and is a solid piece of wood. The thickness from top to bottom of the upper side is 2 inches. The metal plate I want to drop in is 1 inch exactly and a perfect circle around; diameter is 11 inches. I want to cut a hole, not all the way through, so I can drop this metal plate in to display it and put a piece of glass on top.
What tools would I need to complete this task? I've read online a router would do the trick but Lowes wasn't much help on what bit I would need and recommended an additional router set for forming the circle, itself.
I hope I'm explaining clear enough; I can provide pictures if need be.
Thanks in advance!
The desk, it seems, is not hollow and is a solid piece of wood. The thickness from top to bottom of the upper side is 2 inches. The metal plate I want to drop in is 1 inch exactly and a perfect circle around; diameter is 11 inches. I want to cut a hole, not all the way through, so I can drop this metal plate in to display it and put a piece of glass on top.
What tools would I need to complete this task? I've read online a router would do the trick but Lowes wasn't much help on what bit I would need and recommended an additional router set for forming the circle, itself.
I hope I'm explaining clear enough; I can provide pictures if need be.
Thanks in advance!
6
Posted on 7/17/15 at 3:52 pm to ag3ntpurpl3
Cheap and easy way to do it if you have a dremel or rotozip.
or this
or this
This post was edited on 7/17/15 at 3:57 pm
Posted on 7/17/15 at 4:14 pm to ag3ntpurpl3
router...
Posted on 7/17/15 at 4:23 pm to ag3ntpurpl3
You can make a cheap jig like shown or buy one they sell. Just need a straight bit, unless you want perfect rounded corners or a fancy edge.
Posted on 7/17/15 at 5:56 pm to NYCAuburn
Here's some pictures of what I'm working with:
This post was edited on 7/17/15 at 5:56 pm
Posted on 7/17/15 at 6:25 pm to ag3ntpurpl3
I would make a template out of MDF that would be big enough for the router to fit inside to then cut out your pattern. A plunge router with a half inch straight bit would work.
ETA. I would take about 3-4 paths to get to your depth. I've done this exact same type of recess when I made a router table.
ETA. I would take about 3-4 paths to get to your depth. I've done this exact same type of recess when I made a router table.
This post was edited on 7/17/15 at 6:29 pm
Posted on 7/17/15 at 6:59 pm to ag3ntpurpl3
First off- everyone here is telling you haw to cut a circle. That's great but you've got a lot of material to remove after the circle is cut and there ain't no router with an 11' base that I'm aware of that you could accomplish this with. Face facts my friend and have this sent out to someone with a C&C machine.
Or
If you're truly feeling ambitious, cut the circle the way others have suggested with a 3/4 bit and plunge router, then find a 9 1/2" hole saw and drill out the rest. This will give you a 3/4" x 1" ledge to set your piece onto/into.
Or
Cut your circle and route out as much material as you can (most router have around a 5" base so that gives you around 3" of cut on/around your circle) and break out the hammer and chisel.
Or
If you're truly feeling ambitious, cut the circle the way others have suggested with a 3/4 bit and plunge router, then find a 9 1/2" hole saw and drill out the rest. This will give you a 3/4" x 1" ledge to set your piece onto/into.
Or
Cut your circle and route out as much material as you can (most router have around a 5" base so that gives you around 3" of cut on/around your circle) and break out the hammer and chisel.
Posted on 7/17/15 at 7:11 pm to ag3ntpurpl3
Jasper 200J Model 200 Circle Cutting Jig for Plunge Router LINK
Circle cutting jig is great for making speaker cutouts
Cuts 256 different circles from 2-1/4 to 18-3/16-inches in diameter
Precision-drilled pivot holes keep pins in selected holes
Easily read scale is calibrated for a 1/4-inch router bit
Mounts directly to the base of 19 different models of plunge routers
Circle cutting jig is great for making speaker cutouts
Cuts 256 different circles from 2-1/4 to 18-3/16-inches in diameter
Precision-drilled pivot holes keep pins in selected holes
Easily read scale is calibrated for a 1/4-inch router bit
Mounts directly to the base of 19 different models of plunge routers
Posted on 7/17/15 at 7:58 pm to hogdaddy
That jig will only cut a circle in the wood. He could us it to make a template but after you cut the circle you still have all the wood inside the circle to cut out as well. That's why you need a template. It gives a border to the router so you don't cut outside the intended area.
Posted on 7/17/15 at 8:04 pm to bbvdd
Why cant you start with the 11 inch circle first than step smaller and smaller until you get to end of the jig. Then make a jig to cut the rest out.
Posted on 7/17/15 at 8:06 pm to hogdaddy
You definitely could but why not just make a jig first.
Posted on 7/17/15 at 8:15 pm to bbvdd
Posted on 7/17/15 at 10:56 pm to ag3ntpurpl3
Is that a grate from a water meter, like the one on everything from t-shirts to mugs in New Orleans?
Posted on 7/17/15 at 11:24 pm to CajunAlum Tiger Fan
Yes, it is. Picked it up from an antique store. Good eye.
This post was edited on 7/17/15 at 11:25 pm
Posted on 7/17/15 at 11:25 pm to ag3ntpurpl3
Make a jig to cut the circle, then make a larger jig to remove the rest. The larger jig should be 11" plus half the size of your router base diameter.
Posted on 7/17/15 at 11:26 pm to Agforlife
quote:
Make a jig to cut the circle, then make a larger jig to remove the rest. The larger jig should be 11" plus half the size of your router base diameter.
I'm sorry, I don't understand what any of that means. I'm not very up to speed on what specific tools I would need.
This post was edited on 7/17/15 at 11:27 pm
Posted on 7/17/15 at 11:47 pm to ag3ntpurpl3
Buy a quarter sheet of MDF, cut out an 11" circle with a jigsaw, attach to desktop with double sided tape, use a plunge router with a straight cutting bit and a collar, hold router firmly against edge of MDF and follow it around, remove MDF, measure from edge of router bit to edge of router base, cut circle in MDF to 11" plus this measurement, reattach with double sided tape, use router to remove the rest of the wood inside the circle you cut.
Posted on 7/18/15 at 8:44 am to ag3ntpurpl3
Looks like oak. Id use a 1/2" router bit so it won't break, and you may want to make shallow passes, don't try to go 1' first. As far as jigs or methods, many have been mentioned and there are other ways as well. Im sure there are millions of examples on woodworking forums.
I find it easier to go in a counterclockwise direction on hardwoods. You only get one chance at not having the router jump. Starting with a smaller diameter hole, may be the way for you to go, in order to get some practice. Or, pay someone to do it.
I find it easier to go in a counterclockwise direction on hardwoods. You only get one chance at not having the router jump. Starting with a smaller diameter hole, may be the way for you to go, in order to get some practice. Or, pay someone to do it.
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