I use a 1/2 inch flush trim bit to rout out the hole for my singlefin FU boxes. The bearing on the top of the router bit rides along the jig template. Since the bearing rides along the jig as a guide, the bit always has to be set at a 1 inch cutting depth. However, I cannot eliminate the stringer with the bit set at this depth or else it splinters. I have been using a drill with a 5/8 forstner bit to eliminate the stringer down to just under 1 inch before I clean up the outline of the hole by using the router and my jig. I have been getting good clean results but this process is somewhat time consuming and sometimes the forstner bit wants to wander to one side of the stringer or the other. Is there a better way of doing this without building a new jig that follows the base of the router? Thanks ya’ll and may the waves be pumping wherever you are!
Hey guys. Unfortunately I dont have Futures or Lokbox metal jigs. I only have my homemade jig and a 1/2" diameter, 1" long cutting depth flush trim bit that I have been using with a fixed base router. Bud, I think that your suggestion to use a plunge router should work and prevent the problem I was having with my forstner bit wandering to one side of the stringer and jeopording the perfectly routed hole outline I am looking for. I should have thought about using the plunge router beforehand but I had a mental fart i guess. Thanks for the help guys!
Surfer O-
I have a homemade jig that is stacked, shimmed, and pinned to use a top bearing 1/2" router bit. It’s also oversized for HD foam inserts.
First pass is made ‘full stack’, second pass is made with the plain bottom plate only.
It’s crude but works for me. One still needs to be careful as the entire bit is ‘live’.
If I make another one, I will undersize the upper hole 1/16" (1.5mm) a side to keep the bit off the bottom plate’s sidewalls.
