Route channels in a ventilation cover

[caipiao]

Hello all - What is the easiest (and cheap) way of routing those parallel, through channels in a typical ventilation cover? Have an OF 1400. Material is 18mm MDF.

Trying to provide airflow to a network cabinet by routing channels in the doors...  [unsure]

 

[rvieceli]

[member=44099]Cheese[/member] posted a brief peek at a similar project. maybe he has some more pics or insight.
https://www.festoolownersgroup.com/...peckers-onetime-tool-variable-router-jig-mfs-(us)/60/

Ron

 

[Scott in San Diego]

A fluting jig using a straight plunge bit through the workpiece.  Rockler and others offer the jigs for under $100.  You might have to figure out some kind of an alternate edge guide extension for pieces wider than than jigs capability.
https://www.amazon.com/Rockler-Router-Fluting-Jig/dp/B002MMKN2O

 

[Cheese]

[member=44099]Cheese[/member] posted a brief peek at a similar project. maybe he has some more pics or insight.
https://www.festoolownersgroup.com/...peckers-onetime-tool-variable-router-jig-mfs-(us)/60/

Good memory Ron...no Prevagen needed in your diet.  [big grin]

Here's some HVAC vents that may help you out. 8 vents in 3 sizes and in 3 thicknesses.

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The MFS is so easy to do this type of work with.
For the first style I clamped the work and moved the MFS as the vents went entirely across the material.

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For another style I used the MFS again, moved it along for each slot and used ply spacers as stops to produce a structural rib across the vent slot.

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[Crazyraceguy]

It could also be done with a guide rail and a couple of stops.
I do it with an MFT style table, some dogs and spacers. Once the rail is dogged to the table and the part under it, you just line up the first cut, place a stack of spacers that are the thickness of the space between centerlines of each slot. Clamp a stop at the end of the spacers. After each cut you pull out one spacer, move the door over.
I have done this several times for exactly the same reason, computer/equipment ventilation.
The same set-up works with a ball-end bit to make flutes.

 

[caipiao]

Thanks everyone. All very good ideas / methods - tradeoffs between precision and cost (and time), as always!

Might get hold of a Shaper origin and cnc it...

 

[waho6o9]

Take your time and this will work. View attachment 1