Routing groove for hardboard

[rmp]

Hello

I am thinking of a project to make some cupboards using white faced 3mm hardboard for the backs. This will need me to cut a groove for it in the furniture board sides.

Does anyone know what the appropriate size router bit is for this - or if there is a better way to do it?

Thanks

Richard

 

[monkeybiter]

I think commercial flat-packs normally just have a shallow [4mm?] rebate in the back edge of the sides, with the hardboard pinned into the rebate, in which case any cylindrical size would do with a guide or fence.

 

[mseries]

I use a 4mm slotter. Maybe 3mm or 0.125" would be better but I don't have one !!! 4mm does the job so I ain't going to buy a new cutter.

 

[Chrispy]

If you want to go the groove route you can get 3mm and 3.2mm router cutters but they are very prone to break and cutting MFC ie chipboard they probabley will, you could rout say a 6mm groove fit your back and pack it out with a suitable shim of timber where it won't show.

 

[rmp]

Thanks for the replies. The rebate idea is a good one but I need a false back as the wall support will be behind it.

mseries - what's a slotter - a type of router cutter or a different thing entirely?

Could be the 6mm and pack it is the way to go...

 

[monkeybiter]

I think some people have cut a slot with a biscuit jointer. You could also use a biscuit slot bit in a router. Does it have to be the router, do you have a table saw?

 

[rmp]

OK I have found out what a slotter is, looks like you need a router table to use it.

Don't have a biscuit jointer or table saw either - might soon change that, it is Christmas after all!

 

[mseries]

Use of a slotter is very easy and IMO safer using a router table (though there is a 40mm revolving sharp disc facing you). You could almost certainly make a jig to hold the router steady to use the router with slotter hand held. Making a table specifcally for this job wouldn't take much effort either IMO. I sometimes use a 4mm two flute straight cutter for slots when not close to the edge of the stock but they are not very strong since they are so thin.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

I don't know how to post links, but have a look at Wealden for slot cutters -an arbor, a few cutters, bearings and spacers and you can do an awful lot. You can get one that is sized for a biscuit (that's a one piece job) - useful if you haven't a biscuit jointer. I've never owned a router table, either. Yes, of course a small groove could probably be cut in one pass on a table saw.

 

[Shultzy]

You could use a circular saw with a fence, blades are usually 3mm but two passes if not.