TomInNC Posted November 15, 2022 Report Share Posted November 15, 2022 I am going to make some 4inch square coasters for Christmas presents. I have some circular wooden coasters that I bought somewhere that contain circular concentric grooves. The grooves seem to help reduce the vacuum effect that can result in a glass getting stuck to the coaster, and I was trying to figure out how to safely add some kind of groove like this to the coasters that I make. The grooves don't necessarily need to be circular. Has anyone done this before? If so, how did you proceed? At this point it seems like I just need some appropriately sized routing templates with a small plunge router and some way to stabilize the coaster during the routing. Since I don't have templates and only have a very large plunge router, I was really hoping to find a way to do this on the router table. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronn W Posted November 15, 2022 Report Share Posted November 15, 2022 I would make the templates for each size circle or shape that you need. Secure the coaster to the bench top with double stick tape. From scrap, make some flat pieces the same thickness as the coaster plus your templates and tape or clamp them on the bench around the coaster to support your router while routing. Double tape each of your templates in place in turn and rout your patterns. I would not try to route the circles on a router table. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyJack Posted November 15, 2022 Report Share Posted November 15, 2022 Can you make light grooves on the table saw for a relief? Kinda like tic tac toe.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted November 15, 2022 Report Share Posted November 15, 2022 I would go a step farther, and make a large blank of whatever material you like for the coasters, and cut the grooves (circular or straight) into that before cutting out the coaster shapes. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomInNC Posted November 15, 2022 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2022 Thanks. Definitely won't be trying to route circles on the router table. Was just wondering if the router table would be an option if I did something rectangular with the grooves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted November 15, 2022 Report Share Posted November 15, 2022 You might pick up one of these type hole saws: https://www.amazon.com/Wolfcraft-Holesaw-Blades-Pilot-Drill/dp/B0001P195Y. With the center drill removed, and multiple cutters installed, you could score several circles at once. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomInNC Posted November 16, 2022 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2022 That's interesting. Never would have thought of using a hole saw for something like this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted November 16, 2022 Report Share Posted November 16, 2022 I would only try that with a drill press. Free-handing a hole saw with no pilot bit can easily result in a broken wrist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyJack Posted November 16, 2022 Report Share Posted November 16, 2022 The Hole saw… if you brush the finish on, it may fill in the grove. If you spray it, it might not get into the grove. For me, I would cut a circle out and use a router bushing and the bit of Choice in a plunge router. Maybe a round flute.. if you like I’ll put a 3 e/4 hole saw in this afternoon and we will see what it looks like… another option.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark J Posted November 16, 2022 Report Share Posted November 16, 2022 A multi bladed hole saw like this is going to transmit a great deal of torque to the work piece. The hold down will need to be very secure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyJack Posted November 16, 2022 Report Share Posted November 16, 2022 just steps to complete the task.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyJack Posted November 16, 2022 Report Share Posted November 16, 2022 Here’s how I look at woodworking processes.. After years working for companies who are no stranger to spending money on tools and machines to create and save money on jobs, I’ll look at what its creating and try and find away to create it even if it requires more labor and time. process is A, B , C……. Your only limited by your imagination… Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomInNC Posted November 16, 2022 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2022 Thanks. Still waiting on the drill press, so I definitely won't be trying the hole saw at the moment. Fortunately I've got some time before Christmas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyJack Posted November 16, 2022 Report Share Posted November 16, 2022 Rockler Circle/Grommet Templates https://www.rockler.com/circle-grommet-templates Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.