August 17, 201312 yr I have a keyhole router bit and my attempts to use have been less than OK. I did it ok the last time by stabilizing the piece with  blocks/clamps so it couldn't move. It there is simple rig or way of doing this? I do it mainly on hanging pictures or small shelves. I use a table saw mounted router and the fence for the saw for alignment and support.
August 17, 201312 yr Ron,If the workpiece has a straight edge, I'd clamp it to the bench and use a smaller hand held router with it's fence. You are drilling a hole (or two) first, right?  Gene'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton
August 17, 201312 yr I have one of those bit- but hardly ever used it (it came in a set). My guess is that using a start and stop jig attached to the router table with clamps might be the easiest way. The jig could have two stop blocks. One to set the starting point and one for the end point. Plunge and start, route to the end stop. Turn off the router when it stops, slide the piece back and remove. You might have to use the saw rip fence as an extra guide to keep things save and square. Lew Kauffman-Wood Turners Forum HostTime Traveler and Purveyor of the Universe's Finest Custom Rolling Pins!
August 18, 201312 yr Ron, would something like this help you? Hang your framed photo’s, portraits or most anything you need to affix to your wall easily and precisely with our New keyhole slot cutting template. No measuring needed with this template, simply line up the template on your picture frame and rout out your slot(s). The template has 6 different size slots to choose from depending on the size of your project and is made from clear acrylic to see exactly what you are cutting. Use this template with a 5/8" Short-Shank Guide Bushing, (specifically designed for 1/4" template stock) and a 3/8" Keyhole Slot Router Bit. The router bit and guide bushing are not included with this template. John MorrisThe Patriot Woodworker
August 18, 201312 yr i did it like Lew described.John MoodySite AdministratorJohn Moody Woodworkshttp://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com
August 18, 201312 yr When at all possible, I will do my keyhole bit cutting on the router table.Allen WorshamCorona, CAallenworsham@earthlink.net'Graze in every man's field, but always give your own milk.' J. Vernon McGee“Our greatest fear should not be that we won’t succeed, but that we will succeed at something that doesn’t matter.†D.L. Moody
August 18, 201312 yr at the least I would pre-dill the starting hole and either drill a series of holes or use a straight cutting bit to pre rout the slot portion. Keyhole bits remove a lot of material and really have nowhere to let those chips exit the cut. By pre-drilling you remove the bulk of the wood allowing the bit to cut smoother.Round Barn WoodCrafts, Plymouth WIroundbarnwoodcrafts@hotmail.com
August 18, 201312 yr Author I never gave material removal removal any thought. I plunge start on my router table and will try drilling first. Thanks JohnJohn Hechel said:at the least I would pre-dill the starting hole and either drill a series of holes or use a straight cutting bit to pre rout the slot portion. Keyhole bits remove a lot of material and really have nowhere to let those chips exit the cut. By pre-drilling you remove the bulk of the wood allowing the bit to cut smoother.Round Barn WoodCrafts, Plymouth WIroundbarnwoodcrafts@hotmail.com
August 18, 201312 yr Author John, who sells them?John Morris said: Ron, would something like this help you? Hang your framed photo’s, portraits or most anything you need to affix to your wall easily and precisely with our New keyhole slot cutting template. No measuring needed with this template, simply line up the template on your picture frame and rout out your slot(s). The template has 6 different size slots to choose from depending on the size of your project and is made from clear acrylic to see exactly what you are cutting. Use this template with a 5/8" Short-Shank Guide Bushing, (specifically designed for 1/4" template stock) and a 3/8" Keyhole Slot Router Bit. The router bit and guide bushing are not included with this template. John MorrisThe Patriot Woodworker
August 18, 201312 yr Right here Ron, click http://www.ptreeusa.com/router_jigs_templates.htm and scroll down to the bottom. Can't beat the price.Ron Altier said: John, who sells them?John Morris said: John MorrisThe Patriot Woodworker
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