Ian Scofield
06-15-2017, 10:02 PM
I'm in the process of finishing the top of my router table and am wanting to get some advice. I'm looking to do something like this:
http://wwwcdn.popularwoodworking.com/wp-content/uploads/wood_2D00_edging_5F00_31.jpg
They describe their process here: http://www.popularwoodworking.com/projects/aw-extra-10313-wood-edging-on-laminated-tops
Currently have two pieces of 3/4" baltic birch glued together with formica on the top flush trimmed. I will be attaching hardwood on the edges to cover up the plies and provide more durability / decoration.
I have a slot cutter router bit that I'll cut in both the plywood edge and hardwood (think spline?) to ensure it stays parallel to the top and assist with the glueup.
I will be putting on some wipe-on poly for the hardwood edging and this is where the order of things is coming into question.
Method 1)
-Wipe on poly on hardwood edging
-Then cut slot for spline since the finish will add some height (possibly?) and the thickness of the finish will be taken into account to ensure both the laminate and the hardwood are flush
pros:
-laminate and edging height should match
cons:
-I'm using a lockmiter to do the corners and since the finish will be applied when the boards aren't joined, these joints won't flow together as nicely since the finish is done individually
Method 2)
-cut slot for spline in unfinished hardwood edging
-attach boards
-apply finish in place (this will allow lockmiter joints to flow together better)
pros:
-joints will look smoother
cons:
-run the risk of applying finish and getting some on laminate (even with masking it off)
-as finish builds slightly, it can cause a height difference between laminate and hardwood since slot was originally cut with non-finished wood as reference edge
Looking to see what other people's thoughts are as I'm sure others have tackled this problem. Any advice would be appreciated
http://wwwcdn.popularwoodworking.com/wp-content/uploads/wood_2D00_edging_5F00_31.jpg
They describe their process here: http://www.popularwoodworking.com/projects/aw-extra-10313-wood-edging-on-laminated-tops
Currently have two pieces of 3/4" baltic birch glued together with formica on the top flush trimmed. I will be attaching hardwood on the edges to cover up the plies and provide more durability / decoration.
I have a slot cutter router bit that I'll cut in both the plywood edge and hardwood (think spline?) to ensure it stays parallel to the top and assist with the glueup.
I will be putting on some wipe-on poly for the hardwood edging and this is where the order of things is coming into question.
Method 1)
-Wipe on poly on hardwood edging
-Then cut slot for spline since the finish will add some height (possibly?) and the thickness of the finish will be taken into account to ensure both the laminate and the hardwood are flush
pros:
-laminate and edging height should match
cons:
-I'm using a lockmiter to do the corners and since the finish will be applied when the boards aren't joined, these joints won't flow together as nicely since the finish is done individually
Method 2)
-cut slot for spline in unfinished hardwood edging
-attach boards
-apply finish in place (this will allow lockmiter joints to flow together better)
pros:
-joints will look smoother
cons:
-run the risk of applying finish and getting some on laminate (even with masking it off)
-as finish builds slightly, it can cause a height difference between laminate and hardwood since slot was originally cut with non-finished wood as reference edge
Looking to see what other people's thoughts are as I'm sure others have tackled this problem. Any advice would be appreciated