Re: Cutting plywood that is already painted with Varathane - cbob - Tweakers' Asylum

Tweakers' Asylum

Tweaks for systems, rooms and Do It Yourself (DIY) help. FAQ.

Re: Cutting plywood that is already painted with Varathane

24.69.48.15

In Reply to: Cutting plywood that is already painted with Varathane posted by SpeakerNut on February 2, 2001 at 01:18:28:

Try this:
Assuming there is enough material for a 1/2 to 3/4" margin on all the surfaces to be skinned, rought cut with a jig saw before gluing. After glue has dried trim with a laminate router with flush trim ball bearing guided bit. If you don't already own one, a laminate trimmer is lighter duty than a "real" router and much easier to handle in this application. Best buys are the Porter Cable and Makita. These are real tools, judging by the scope of your project the $150(US) or so shouldn't deter you - with care this tool should last 10 years.
As these boxes are already extremely awkward to move, layout your rough cut lines in the most convenient manner you can find, first applying some wide painters grade (easy peel) masking tape that will straddle the cutting pattern. Just make sure the cut lines allow 1/2 or 3/4" outside the finished edges - this should be enough allowance for any chipping from the jig saw.
Lay another strip of masking tape inside that line to prevent the base plate of the jigsaw from scratching the varathane. (ALL wood finishes can be scratched - Murphy's Law) You can use parrafin wax on the base plate of the jig saw to prevent drag on the masking tape.
Use only a carbide tipped 2 flute flush trim bit for trimming finished veneer or plastic laminate. The extra cost over high speed steel will pay for itself with the superior quality of trim on the first job, and the bit will last much longer. A 3/8 or even 1/4" diameter will probably give best results on the inside corners, then just finish with a single cut wood file.
I've not been following the progress of your project all the way, how are you treating the edges?

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

Atma-Sphere Music Systems, Inc.

Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - Cutting plywood that is already painted with Varathane - SpeakerNut 01:18:28 02/02/01 (7)

Re: Cutting plywood that is already painted with Varathane - Malcolm 15:34:13 02/02/01 (0)

Re: Cutting plywood that is already painted with Varathane - SpeakerNut 14:03:53 02/02/01 (0)

Re: Cutting plywood that is already painted with Varathane - Gandalfcrow 10:22:52 02/02/01 (1)

Re: Cutting plywood that is already painted with Varathane - Gandalfcrow 13:06:31 02/02/01 (0)

Re: Cutting plywood that is already painted with Varathane - cbob 02:40:14 02/02/01 (2)

Re: Cutting plywood that is already painted with Varathane - seemunkee 11:25:36 02/02/01 (1)

Re: On further consideration - CBOB 13:44:58 02/02/01 (0)

Follow Ups

Re: Cutting plywood that is already painted with Varathane - cbob 02:40:14 02/02/01 (2)

Re: Cutting plywood that is already painted with Varathane - seemunkee 11:25:36 02/02/01 (1)

Re: On further consideration - CBOB 13:44:58 02/02/01 (0)

You can not post to an archived thread.