Routing a curved line

[Pauley]

It’s a first for me, so I need to ask…how do I route a small curved line?  Here is a photo of a sign I’m attempting to make. The white part in the corners is will be cut out. The black line around the border is where I would like to route a slim line.  Any ideas..?

 

[lew]

I would make a template of the finished shape. Thin plywood of hardboard (Masonite) will work. Then double side sticky tape to fasten the template to the board to be routed. Bandsaw the general shape around the template leaving approx 1/8" proud of the template. The uses a pattern router bit or flush trim bit to cleanup the shape.

 

https://www.woodcraft.com/collections/trim-router-bits?srsltid=AfmBOoo4j1gfLU4L5LWbCgGOqxK8hAaq08f09hg1ccebrTh2j-SelRHk

[HandyDan]

If it is just one you're doing I would band saw the curve and sand out the saw marks.  Jazz it up with a routered edge from there.

[Fred W. Hargis Jr]

I usually do what Lew suggested.

[kmealy]

When routing end grain that's not square, I try to go "downhill" to avoid chip-out.  Thus, on the top two curves, go top to bottom and on the bottom two curves, bottom to top  Then do the long grain sides to clear any chip out on the corners.

[Pauley]

Thanks everyone for all your help.  I did what Lew said and it worked out pretty well.  I post a photo once it’s done. Right now waiting for glue to dry….(yawn), then I’m going to clear coat it.

[Pauley]

I finished this little “welcome” sign my wife wanted. It came out pretty good, or so I think.  Here is a photo. Oh, it’s made from cedar and store bought letters.  Do you guys have a special area where you apply finishes? Small spray boxes?  When I put the finish on this sign, I have to leave the shop until it drys,then come back to apply another coat…wash, rinse repeat…

 

Edited October 18, 2024 by Pauley
Add some more text.

[lew]

That turned out great!

 

I don't have a special area for finishing. I do have an old furnace blower mounted in a basement window to draw out the fumes. Works great in the summer but in the winter, I have to turn off the heat because the window blower sucks fumes back down the chimney 

[Pauley]

6 minutes ago, lew said:

That turned out great!

 

I don't have a special area for finishing. I do have an old furnace blower mounted in a basement window to draw out the fumes. Works great in the summer but in the winter, I have to turn off the heat because the window blower sucks fumes back down the chimney 

Thank you, Lew. 

[DAB]

i once tried to freehand route a straight line....it came out curved....sigh.....use a fence/guide dummy....

 

sign looks nice.

[Grandpadave52]

Sign looks great Paul.

No dedicated finish area...no dedicated shop for that matter.

Spray finishes are usually applied outside when possible.

[Al B]

The sign really looks great.

[Gerald]

Great looking sign. I don't have a dedicated finishing room. Like Lew I have a ancient furnace blower in the window and also one on rollers

[Pauley]

20 hours ago, DAB said:

i once tried to freehand route a straight line....it came out curved....sigh.....use a fence/guide dummy....

 

sign looks nice.

Thanks DAB…

[Pauley]

8 hours ago, Gerald said:

Great looking sign. I don't have a dedicated finishing room. Like Lew I have a ancient furnace blower in the window and also one on rollers

Thanks Gerald.

[Pauley]

19 hours ago, Al B said:

The sign really looks great.

Thanks AlB, hope you’re doing well.

[Pauley]

19 hours ago, Grandpadave52 said:

Sign looks great Paul.

No dedicated finish area...no dedicated shop for that matter.

Spray finishes are usually applied outside when possible.

Thanks Grandpadave52.

[KevTN]

That looks great! I stink at doing freehand detail router work. Lol I’m jealous lol

[Pauley]

4 hours ago, KevTN said:

That looks great! I stink at doing freehand detail router work. Lol I’m jealous lol

Thanks, KevTN.  That wasn’t done freehand.  I used a router bit with a bearing g on the top and just followed the shape.