an unsung hero

[tjbnwi]

the copier bearing router accessory.

I found the copier years ago on a display after it was discontinued in North America. I bought it figuring I may need it some day.

Today was that day.

I am building a kitchen vent liner hood. I designed  the sides for it in Fusion 360 to be cut using the Shaper Origin. I did not create the rabbit for the front panel in Fusion figuring I’d use a rabbiting router bit set. Well—I have employees so…..(those with employees understand this).

I had broken down the area where I cut the side panels, setting back up to cut the rabbits with the Origin would have been a pain.

The lightbulb in the brain goes on, copier bearing to the rescue.

I tell my crew there is at least 10 ways to accomplish any task in the shop, I’m glad I have back ups for my back ups.

Tom

(had to go from iPad to computer to add the photos)

 

[hdv]

Yeah, I agree that accessory is great.

However, sometimes I find it hard to be really consistent with it on curved edges. If the angle of the router changes along the axis perpendicular to the plane in which you route (z-axis), the offset of the cut will also change (probably just due to my lack of skill). Often that is no issue, but sometimes it is. That is why I made this contraption out of a piece of oak and some bearings for the edge guide years ago.

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I just remove the black pieces of plastic and screw it to the fence. Depending on how wide the curves I need to follow are I use the narrow or the wide setting of the bearings. For me it works great. Of course, it won't be of any use when the curves are really narrow.