cutting ellipses with of 1400

[j]

Greetings from a long time lurker first time poster.  I've absorbed a lot reading others' posts here - thanks.  I want to cut elliptical tabletops (europly, finn ply) with my of 1400, sized from small coffee table up to dining table size.  Anyone have any experience with this?  thanks!

 

[tvogel400]

Hello J

I have made more than a few elliptical table tops and I believe I have used a router every time. I would usually make a pattern blank, then run around it with a pattern bit in my router (usually .5" dia in a 1.5 hp router). I set the bit to cut around half way through the material and afterwards cut all the way through with  a jig saw then one final pass with a flush trimming bit.

Is that what you were looking for?

T-bone

 

[Ken Milhinch]

I have made a couple of doors with an oval cutout in the top for a glass insert. I use the Woodhaven oval jig and it gives me perfect results every time. The mathematics related to oval shapes can be a little complex, but they provide a good explanation with the jig. Not cheap, but worth every cent in my opinion. I used an OF1400 by the way.

 

[BarryL]

not cheap but this is what I would try...

http://www.microfence.com/

 

[j]

Thanks to everyone for their input.  I just picked up my mft3 today, so I'll put it together and try out your suggestions.  Maybe it will be worthwhile to take the time to make a couple good patterns, it'll give me something to do with my new stuff.  The woodhaven jig looks pretty nice, and I think a friend has the microfence, which is pricy enough it should be green.  Anyway, I really appreciate all of you taking the time to give your responses - thanks!

 

[Premium Millwork Install]

J

  This is a link to a post i donr for doing large elipses.

http://festoolownersgroup.com/index.php?topic=1969.0

I have used to do this to create a large conference room table also. This is 16' long.

 

[nickao]

I have made a couple of doors with an oval cutout in the top for a glass insert. I use the Woodhaven oval jig and it gives me perfect results every time. The mathematics related to oval shapes can be a little complex, but they provide a good explanation with the jig. Not cheap, but worth every cent in my opinion. I used an OF1400 by the way.

Ken the Woodhaven jigs rock!  I have three Woodhaven Oval jigs, small, medium and large always set up and ready to use.

Here is my large jig.

 

[tbellemare]

If you don't want to buy an ellipse jig, you can make one. Here's a simple solution:

http://www.woodweb.com/knowledge_base/A_Jig_for_Drawing_or_Cutting_Ellipses.html.

Tom