Router cutter profile grinding service?

[Mike Halmarack]

Can anybody tell me of one? I've got a short run of custom designed skirting to produce.

[PC Paul]

You're much more likely to find custom ground spindle moulder cutters I would think... but then you need the spindle moulder too.

Still, no job's worth doing unless it needs a new tool.

[Mike Halmarack]

So true and I see this as a definite up-side. Too far up for me though.

Moulding plane then.

[PC Paul]

will do custom router cutters. No idea of price.

rec.woodworking might be able to help you with more ideas (although most people on there are yanks where wood is cheap and workshop space is easy...)

[Dave Plowman (News)]

You'd usually use a spindle moulder for this as the cutters are relatively simple to produce. But they're large and expensive macines, so it's probably best farmed out.

[Mike Halmarack]

Thanks for the URL. :-)

Worth a quick invasion then. Operation Information Liberation.

[Mike Halmarack]

You're right of course. But I'm a bit of a "Mr idée fixe-it" when it comes to D-I-Y. The fact that it's only 2 Metres of skirting plays a part too.

[John Rumm]

If it is only two meters, could you not get close to the profile required using a number of passes with a selection of "off the shelf" cutters, building up the profile from components if you see what I mean?

[bigcat]

can you not

a) form the shape from a set of existing cutters, making several passes

b) take a cutter and grind it yourself to the shape you want, using angle grinder and frequent cold dips? Should manage 2m no problem.

NT

[Mike Halmarack]

I do see what you mean. I understand that this is how many mouldings are produced. I like to consider available options and acquiring a cutter to do it in one is a current favourite. I have to admit that my d-i-y methods are way more self indulgent than they are efficient.

[Mike Halmarack]

Great idea. I think that at the back of my mind I have an idea that if I beat around this particular bush for a while, I'll come up with a convincing justification to purchase a machine that will allow the cutter to rotate truly into the necessary grinding positions.

[Chris Bacon]

Probably cheaper, quicker, and easier to get Jewsons to make it for you.

[Mike Halmarack]

Yep, if I'd 've done even half my jobs the quick easy way, my bones would prolly have been getting crunched by Tasmanian Devils before now. A mixed blessing if ever there was one. :)

[John Rumm]

Thinking along those lines I am sure I have seen a recent router cutter handbook (may have been the trend one) where they had a DIY cutter. It was basically a core of the bit with a clamping mechanism, and then a set of flat blades that you machine to profile before mounting in the arbour/cutter

[Brian Sharrock]

Your request tickled some synapses into activity; Trend says the following ;-

Custom Tooling We can design and manufacture router cutters for specific applications using the latest CAD/CAM techniques. Contact our Technical Support team by email or telephone [phone] ...

see

haven't used this service, so this isn't an endorsement.

[Stuart Noble]

You'd be crazy to try and machine this yourself. Skirting is invaraiably 5 or 6 x 1 with a fancy bit on the top, ovolo or ogee. No one will notice if they're separate sections.

[Mike Halmarack]

You mean like "The Night of the Zombie Skirting Boarders" kind of crazy?

[Mike Halmarack]

That sounds like the kind of kit for the job.

[Mike Halmarack]

Thanks. I'll look into it with enthusiastic interest.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

You've not seem mine? Victorian? It's a very involved moulding and not available anywhere. But it is indeed a separate moulding on top of a plain piece of wood. The skirting is about 18" high and made from three bits.