I am making a computer desk. The good news is I am going to have more
desktop to clutter. The bad news is the joint between the plywood top and
the 2x4 frame is ragged. So, knowing an inlay will hide a multitude of
sins, I plan on inlaying a 1/8th by 1/2" strip of walnut to hide the ragged
joint. Cutting the dado for the inlay is not my problem. My problem
is, "How do I get the corners square." What I do not want to do is route
the dado and have a ragged corner where two dados come together. The desk
is "L" shaped and the inlay will be along the inside of the "L" and on each
end. So,I will have 3 mitered corners.
I am not worried about the back joint as it will be hidden by the junk on
the desk.
Thanks
Deb
"Dr. Deb" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> I am making a computer desk. The good news is I am going to have more
> desktop to clutter. The bad news is the joint between the plywood top and
> the 2x4 frame is ragged. So, knowing an inlay will hide a multitude of
> sins, I plan on inlaying a 1/8th by 1/2" strip of walnut to hide the
> ragged
> joint. Cutting the dado for the inlay is not my problem. My problem
> is, "How do I get the corners square." What I do not want to do is route
> the dado and have a ragged corner where two dados come together. The desk
> is "L" shaped and the inlay will be along the inside of the "L" and on
> each
> end. So,I will have 3 mitered corners.
>
> I am not worried about the back joint as it will be hidden by the junk on
> the desk.
>
> Thanks
>
> Deb
In addition to the other advice, cover the are where the dado will be made
with the blue, low adhesive tape and route through the tape. That helps the
edges from splintering and tearout.
Also, do a practice piece first to develop your technique so you're not
practicing on the good stuff....
Bob S.
Yes.. sharp chisel... No Problem..
Woodworker stores do sell chisels and other items that make this cut.. but
not really needed...
I know someone who has to cut a lot square corners.. these tools work for
him
"Tyke" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> You do not say whether the top is already glued in place. I am presuming
> it is already glued, since otherwise it should be square.
>
> When I have needed to route in a similar situation, I stop the router just
> shy of the mitre location and I finish off the corners by hand with a
> sharp chisel.
>
> To avoid the router causing any more jagged edges, before routing I would
> make a surface scribe/cut along the plywood with a sharp knife at the
> location of the outside edge of the router bit.
>
> Dave Paine.
>
> "Dr. Deb" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>>
>> I am making a computer desk. The good news is I am going to have more
>> desktop to clutter. The bad news is the joint between the plywood top
>> and
>> the 2x4 frame is ragged. So, knowing an inlay will hide a multitude of
>> sins, I plan on inlaying a 1/8th by 1/2" strip of walnut to hide the
>> ragged
>> joint. Cutting the dado for the inlay is not my problem. My problem
>> is, "How do I get the corners square." What I do not want to do is route
>> the dado and have a ragged corner where two dados come together. The
>> desk
>> is "L" shaped and the inlay will be along the inside of the "L" and on
>> each
>> end. So,I will have 3 mitered corners.
>>
>> I am not worried about the back joint as it will be hidden by the junk on
>> the desk.
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>> Deb
>
>
You do not say whether the top is already glued in place. I am presuming it
is already glued, since otherwise it should be square.
When I have needed to route in a similar situation, I stop the router just
shy of the mitre location and I finish off the corners by hand with a sharp
chisel.
To avoid the router causing any more jagged edges, before routing I would
make a surface scribe/cut along the plywood with a sharp knife at the
location of the outside edge of the router bit.
Dave Paine.
"Dr. Deb" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> I am making a computer desk. The good news is I am going to have more
> desktop to clutter. The bad news is the joint between the plywood top and
> the 2x4 frame is ragged. So, knowing an inlay will hide a multitude of
> sins, I plan on inlaying a 1/8th by 1/2" strip of walnut to hide the
> ragged
> joint. Cutting the dado for the inlay is not my problem. My problem
> is, "How do I get the corners square." What I do not want to do is route
> the dado and have a ragged corner where two dados come together. The desk
> is "L" shaped and the inlay will be along the inside of the "L" and on
> each
> end. So,I will have 3 mitered corners.
>
> I am not worried about the back joint as it will be hidden by the junk on
> the desk.
>
> Thanks
>
> Deb