No Router...Hand-Sand Cabinet Doors?

[Wayne DeVito]

Well, as embarrassing as it might sound, I do not have a router and I was wondering if it makes sense to just 

round over the cabinet doors that I will be making (I have been planning for weeks, and not getting very far...LOL) using a hand 

Palm Sander to make the doors not have such a hard and straight look. These will be for my garage.

Thanks, Wayne

[Ken Darga]

James,

"Rasps & files" were noted.

*Wood rasps and files are favored among some wood workers.  They come in a variety of sizes, shapes and coarseness.  

James P. Cottingham said:

Did anyone mention using a file or rasp?

[Jay Boutwell]

Hi Wayne,  Don't understand why making some doors is such an hard job.  If you are making slab doors out of plywood all you would need is a table saw and or a hand held saw with a good blade.  Using a straight edge cut them to one inch larger that the opening is wide and one inch larger that the opening is high.  Use an iron on tape or a better way is to cut the slabs 1/4 inch larger than the opening is high and 1/4 inch larger that the opening is wide.  Then use some hardwood strips of the same species as the plywood or another type of wood for an accent strip.  Glue and nail onto the edges and sand smooth with some sandpaper.

With the type of plywood that you find today you will have trouble using a rasp  or other types of cutting applications due to the very thin veneers that are on the plywood.

If using a table saw cut with the good side up and if cutting with a hand held saw cut with the good side down to help in controlling the chip out of the veneer.  If you are cutting with the old style hand saw cut with the good side up as the motion so the cutting teeth will lift and chip out the ply wood at the cut line.  0nce cut to size then use sandpaper and a sander to get the smooth edge.

Masking tape added to the cut line will aid in this chip out as well as scoring the veneer with a utility knife. 

Even the best router bit will tear up most plywood veneer as they are extremely thin in todays ply woods.

If you are wanting to build a multi-piece door then the router and bits would be the way to go. 

If you need help let me know the type of door you want to make and I will guide you through it.

[Wayne DeVito]

Thanks Jay..... I know right... I'm making it a hard Job....LOL

The only saw I have is a circular saw. I should have called a real woodworker...huh?

I Haven't done any kind of woodworking in 35 years.... and I guess I'm a Little Gun Shy Now :)

Thanks Again, Wayne

[Jayson]

Wayne is right, I have 2 routers. 1 from father inlaw and other from Goodwill. In time, you will have all the tools you need and have a lot of honey do list to do.