Mini-racetrack Table

[Irish]

After 3 months of zero work on this table, I got a few hours in yesterday during my week off in-between jobs. I got all the inner router cuts on the racetrack sheet finished (bottom side is up):



Here's the racetrack sheet with the good side up - I really like the grain pattern on this sheet, even though it's getting a dark black stain, I'm hoping I can get all the swirly grain patterns to show:





The racetrack will be about 3.25" on this table - just wide enough to fit two stacks of chips. I routed a 1/8" channel for the lit rail cover & diffuser just inside the edge of where the rail will be, a quick test fit seemed to have it fit nice and snug.







Instead of using cut strips of hardboard for the level racetrack/playing surface transition - I found this plastic molding at home cheapo that's the perfect size for fitting the gap from a 1/4" diameter router bit - 1/4" thick by 3/4" tall. Using this allowed me to take the cutout piece from the 3/4" birch piece as a direct template to cut out the 1/2" sheet for the playing surface. I traced the cutout shape on the 1/2" sheet and did a rough jigsaw cut, then used a flush cut router bit to clean up the cut and make an exact match. The fit-up looked good, I may to just sand it a bit to allow for the cloth thickness.





If this works out as good as I'm hoping it will, it'll be a nice time saver in doing these racetrack tables. Cutting those hard board strips, getting them to curve without snapping, and driving staples through them is a huge pain in the ass I could definitely do without.

I also cut out the cup holder holes in the rail:



Next up is getting the inlays cut and installed in the racetrack, then I can start the staining & finishing.

[HogDogity]

Love this thread. What is the router bit you are using in your 03/09 post at 10am? Is it 2"?

[Irish]

Originally Posted by HogDogity

Love this thread. What is the router bit you are using in your 03/09 post at 10am? Is it 2"?

This one?:





That's a 1/4" diameter spiral up cut bit, I think this one is 2.5" long. I get my bits from here (#RU2100 or #RU2075):

Whiteside Router Bits from Woodworkersworld.net--Solid Carbide Spiral, Compression Router Bit

I fried 3 bits (two 1/4" spirals and one 1/4" straight) doing those cuts. I've come to the conclusion that my Milwaukee router is not 100% in tune, and the slight vibrations are fracturing the relatively brittle solid carbide bits. I switched back to my old trusty Porter Cable 693 and have had no problems since. I also switched back to using the straight 1/4" bit instead of the spiral up cut, they're less expensive and I haven't seen a big difference in the cut.

[HogDogity]

Cool - thanks!

When using a straight carbide, do you do single or double flute?

[Wedge Rock]

A flute without holes is not a flute. But a donut without holes is a danish.

[HogDogity]

That's exactly why I gave up trumpet in fifth grade. A total lack of pastry adaptation.

[Irish]

Originally Posted by HogDogity

Cool - thanks!

When using a straight carbide, do you do single or double flute?

Double

[ChopperJustin]

Irish can you tell me anything else about that plastic molding. What department did you find it in at HD and/or what was it's intended purpose. I'm looking for it as I type this.

Thanks!

[Irish]

Originally Posted by ChopperJustin

Irish can you tell me anything else about that plastic molding. What department did you find it in at HD and/or what was it's intended purpose. I'm looking for it as I type this.

Thanks!

Found it in the moulding/millwork department, I believe it's called Veranda or something like that. IIRC it was like $6 for a 8 or 10 foot long piece. It's exactly 1/4" thick and 3/4" wide. You'll know you've got the right stuff as soon as you go to pick it up, it'll go all wet noodle and be impossible to carry.

[ChopperJustin]

Thank you!