Router Bit(s) for Making Melamine Slotwall

[LaserGecko]

Well, the subject says it all, but what router bit or combo of bits would I need to turn melamine into slotwall?

I don't know the size, but somehow, having the ability to make a perfectly straight 8' long groove is going to my brain!

 

[mysterium]

Jason,

Here's a link to MLCS
http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/shop...html/pages/bt_keyhl.html#T-slot_cutter_Anchor

You would have to plow a 3/8" grove 1st, especially in melamine first before cutting the slot.  I would expect if your planning on cutting a large number of lineal footage of T-slot to plan on burning up a number of bits... 

Hope this helps,
jim

 

[LaserGecko]

Thanks, Jim.

I don't know how practical it would be, but there's just something about being able to make a straight rout that long...

 

[Mirko]

Hey Gecko,
This Melamine your using, is it MDF core? I would highly recomend useing the MDF. The particle board type will fall apart on you.

Mirko

 

[LaserGecko]

Yeah, that's the only kind that I will buy. Luckily, the MDF core is the only kind the Home Despot near me carries.

 

[Tinker]

I was looking @ MDF @ HD(Danbury, CT) a couple of weeks ago.  all they had was particle board core.  the person i asked did not know what i was talking about when i asked about MDF/melamine. 
Tinker

 

[Ned]

Have you checked on manufactured slotwall?  It may be one of those things that's not worth making yourself.

http://www.outwatercatalogs.com/2006_Master/lg_display.cfm?page_number=162

 

[LaserGecko]

It probably is not worth the trouble to make if you are making all of the slots 3" on center like the manufactured slatwall. However, I remember a friend of mine complaining about the cost of it when he was opening a retail store awhile back. He only used four or five "rows" from the slots all around his store. With the metal inserts costing so much, that was a lot of unused money hanging on the walls.

That Outwater place also charges a $30 pallet fee, plus the shipping charges. I don't have a point of reference for truck freight for something heavy and 8'x4', but I do know that it would be much cheaper to ship something that weighs 200# and fits on a single pallet vertically. The total weight of my Kamado ceramic grill shipment was 630#, but it was well contained so overnight truck freight from Sacramento to my Las Vegas backyard was only $146.

I don't know how much our local cost for the stuff is.

 

[cdconey]

Check with store fixture suppliers in your area for slat wall material.  When I have checked into it, it has been about $40-45 per sheet.