Expert: Jamie Yocono - 4/27/2004

Question
I am trying to construct a flytying table. I want to creat a round shallow depression in the oak top. I know I could rout(with a cove bit)and then sand smooth. I have taken a cove bit and ground off the guide pin and I am thinking of using a guide bushing and a round template to creat this dish. Does that sound reasonable or is there another method.

Thanks

Answer
Hi Richard,

The way in which you described routing that groove on your table will work (following a circle template) but there's a better (and easier) way. Let's discuss your way first:

The direction of travel is important, because if you run it in the correct direction, the router will be pulled snug against the pattern. If you run in the wrong way, the router will want to wander AWAY from the pattern. I always test router feed direction on a piece of scrap, to make sure. Off the top of my head (please verify this with a test), I'd say you want to run the router counter clockwise. I wish I had a router in my hands right now to tell you for sure, but I'm trapped at my desk doing paperwork!

And if you're not careful, there's always the chance that the router will just wander away from the pattern. You really have to keep your hands on tight to it, or it can do it's own thing sometimes. So pattern routing isn't my favorite way to rout that "moat" around the tabletop.

A better way to rout that circle is with a router compass jig. I make them all the time, with just a scrap piece of 1/4" plywood. Figure out what the radius dimension will be, because you'll need a piece of scrap about 10" longer than the radius. I take the base plate off the router, and attach the plywood to the router base with the same screws. If you turn the router on, you can slowly drop the bit thru the plywood, cutting the center hole out. Or you could drill it out on the drill press.

Then- measure the desired radius and drill a small hole on the other end of the plywood. Make sure you measure from the far side of the router bit, not the close side.  Once you have your "compass" made, use a small screw to attach it to the center of your table.  Since the plywood is somewhat flexible, I usually set the bit at the depth you want and then turn the router on, plunging it into the table top. Once that first entrance cut is made, it's pretty easy to rotate the router on the compass, cutting your circle. No wandering, it's a perfect cut.

There's a book that covers this in great detail- Router Jigs and Templates by Patrick Spielman. There's a chapter all about circle and oval jigs, and it would be helpful for you to look for this book at your local Borders or Barnes and Noble.

OK, I hope this helps. Please feel free to write back if you have any other questions. I'll be glad to help, good luck.

Jamie Yocono
Wood it Is! Custom Cabinetry
Akron, OH