TECHNIQUES KNOW-HOW – FRAME AND PANEL CUTTERS Router Know-how PHOTOGRAPHS BY GMC/ANTHONY BAILEY PHOTOGRAPHSGMC/ANTHONY BY Frame and panel cutters Framed at last! We’ve finally got the better of him as we remind our Editor of what it was really like when he made and panels for a living. Now he is going to give us the lowdown on the cutters that are almost exclusively the province of the 1 large ⁄2in router – frame and panel sets

I ran a cabinetmaking business for start. There are 1some years and a lot of the work several different was just that, cabinets in one form or cutter types as another. Everything that needed to well as styles. be framed and panelled, from carcass The one I used sides to doors, required suitable to favour many cutters to do the job and not being years ago was the in possession of a moulder, reversible type where you the router table was the logical machine the scribing cuts answer. By acquiring several different first, then swap cutter components frame and panel cutters I could cater and do the profile cuts second. for most requirements and produce decent quality frames and panels Since then it has been possible to quickly and easily. 3 buy one-piece cutters which are a bit taller and are simply wound up Profile and scribe cutters or down in the router table to select A panel isn’t complete without either the scribing or profiling section 2 a frame to it so that is where we of the cutter.

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A typical frame and a matching panel for This cutter has to be reassembled when These cutters are moved up and down to quick and easy construction changing from profile to scribe change cuts www.woodworkersinstitute.com ISSUE 74 PLANS & PROJECTS 63 › TECHNIQUES ROUTER KNOW-HOW – FRAME AND PANEL CUTTERS There are also separate scribing Some cutters can accept a Right: The small 4 and profiling cutters; you just 11back cutter which creates an back cutter swap one for the other, or if you even tongue so you know the panel creates a perfect have the luxury of two router tables, must fit the frame slot without any tongue both could be set up for repeat runs adjustment. It gives a slight sweep without changing cutters or settings. on the panel rear face which looks deliberate and adds to the appearance Style-wise you can choose of the panel. 5 between a plain , – shallow reverse curve – Roman ogee – Vertical type a steeper reverse curve – and classical These cutters lend a couple 11 – two opposing curves broken in the 12 of distinct advantages to panel middle with a narrow quirk or step. raising operations. Firstly, they aren’t Which one you choose is dictated by 4 as scary to use because they are much the situation the frame will be used With two separate cutters it helps to smaller in diameter. Secondly, they in and how many sets you feel like have two routers can be used with a small router, as investing in. long as it will take an 8mm collet and then you need to acquire at least one has sufficient motor power to run it. Frame cutters panel raising cutter. The plain, frame router The downside is that you cutter is actually very versatile These are large diameter cutters cannot do arch top panels, 6 13 12 13 both for hidden panel, e.g. back or 9and in some cutters fairly massive. only square ones, and the scribing side panels, but will look good if It must be noted that these cutters cuts will tear grain out so you need Vertical panel raisers are available in all Tearout can result with the vertical type you want either modern, clean-lined must be used in a router table and to take steps to prevent this. shank sizes of cutter doors, painted to suit an earlier all frame cutters should be used farmhouse or Shaker style. similarly, even if there appears to Top tips be no manufacturer’s restriction

ROUTER KNOW-HOW – FRAME AND PANEL CUTTERS TECHNIQUES It can be used with flat or raised on freehand use. A larger router table with a high 5 Examples of various different 7 centre panels as can the profile moulding styles 1through- fitted is essential and scribe sets. Horizontal type as is a fine height adjuster. These big cutters come in fronts, if used with care in setting out Panel raisers 10a variety of styles which are the sizes. Apart from vertical panel raisers 1 Since all the frame producing intended to complement the frame Whereas frame cutters always come 2all cutters will need a ⁄2in router 8 cutters usually have a 6mm panel styles. So you can choose from Roman with bearings, not all panel raisers do, preferably with at least an 1,800W slot you can use a flat ply or MDF ogee, bevel, bevel with a swept edge, but you need a decent fence to run motor input. Check all cutters will fit panel which can save cutter cost and classical and dished profiles. They may against in any case, unless you are 2 through the opening in the table. look good. However, if you want also be available in different sizes with making arch top doors in which case traditional raised solid panels the smaller ones suitable for drawer a bearing is vital. The WPP router table that I made works Always make the frames first as really well 3these define the actual size of the door or cabinet panel you are creating. Measure the openings for each one so they will be a correct fit and aim for a common size even if slight trimming is needed after assembly. Inset doors and drawers should have no more than a 2mm gap on all edges when fitted. 1 3 9 Do a carefully calculated cutting 6 The through-fence on the router will Precise measurements are essential list expressing the sizes of stiles This panel raiser just fits in the table prevent breakout when using a router 4 Plain frame cutters create a simple style opening – vertical components – rails – horizontal components – and muntins – vertical intersecting components. The stiles should be left over-length and ‘horns’ cut off later.

All other components must be 5exact length and take into account the width of the stiles – or rails in the 8 case of muntins – plus an amount that 7 10 4 5 the scribing joints plug into the other Flat panels can look good in the right An arch top door can be used to suggest There are panel raisers to match all It is advisable to always start with a A stack of raw components, ready to components – usually 2 x 9.5mm = situation a specific ‘look’ frame sets proper cutting list machine 19mm with most sets. 64 WOODWORKING PLANS & PROJECTS ISSUE 74 www.woodworkersinstitute.com www.woodworkersinstitute.com ISSUE 74 WOODWORKING PLANS & PROJECTS 65 › ROUTER KNOW-HOW – FRAME AND PANEL CUTTERS TECHNIQUES A test piece for panelraising biscuits to add edge strength you risk you strength edge add to biscuits use you If middle. the in joined are they where edges the on true and profiling. before cut test a do then those all machine profiled. be then can components all and over turned be will they finished is scribing When face. ‘seen’ component’s the mark scribed being are ends component if example for machining, when down face be will which face opposite the mark addition, In muntin. or rail stile, e.g. which, is component which operation. second the for over everything turning involves cutting profile and scribing of process the since thickness, same the be must components frame all particular In yard. timber your at stock prepared through carefully pick facility that have don’t you if but this, assure help will planer/thicknesser A possible. as 9 8 7 6 66 WOODWORKING ISSUE 74 & PROJECTS PLANS consistent results Even downward pressure isneededfor 11 6 solid timber, need to be flat be timber,to solid need from made are they if Panels, right, cut scribe the get start; you Testbefore essential are cuts Mark like. with like components Workstacking by methodically accurately as cuts test for sections spare some plus stock all Prepare the biscuits ‘grinning’ through. ‘grinning’ biscuits the avoid and joint butt good a make to better is It place. takes raising panel the when ends the at showing them obtain panel size. panel obtain to width and length in 2mm than more no subtract Now it. underneath the as depth same the is this as moulding the excluding section frame flat the from working by size panel for Measure frames. dry-assembled 11 10 the corners that the mitres meet at isimportant It cut width. cut correct the reach you until back fence the moving by passes multiple the do fitted, cutter back a have you If safe. is than wood more removing means it as ambitious too be don’t good support good cutsneedathrough-fenceScribing for 12 8 more than one pass to depth; to pass one than more in raise panel the Machine checked against the against checked best are sizes panel The The crosses denote theface to machinedandonwhichedge be 7 when making cut alignment correct. alignment cut making when help will pass final light A corners. panel the at meet mitres the and consistent are cuts the so pressure downward even, Use cuts. profile lengthwise the do you when removed 12 assembly You shouldalwaysbefore checkpanelfit end –notgood! dear!AbiscuitshowingOh at thepanel 10 www.woodworkersinstitute.com 9 & suppliers Manufacturers www.infinitytools.co.ukInfinity Whiteside www.routercutter.co.uk Axcaliber www.axminster.co.uk www.makitauk.com Makita Titman www.titman.co.uk CMT Trend www.trend-uk.com Wealden www.wealdentool.com www.cmttools.co.uk so any tendency to tearout is tearout to tendency any so cuts scribing the with Start ■