Used the Overhead Pin Router

Gene Howe · Post by **Gene Howe** » Thu Jan 14, 2010 5:33 pm

Wife and I are making toys for grandkids. While we were at it, we figgered why not make 6 of each of the seven patterns and give 5 sets to needy kids in town.
5 of the toys are cars and require fenders. The plans call for them to be about 1/4" thick and 3/4" wide. What better time to try out the OPR?

The first step was to trace the fender patterns onto 1/4" ply to get wood patterns. I cut two at a time (1 set) out of the ply on the band saw and trued them up on the oscillating sander. Then I glued all 14 patterns on a piece of 1/2" by 6" wide by 36" long. Then added 1/2" rails on the outside edges for stability.

The pattern base (the 1/2" ply) was 6" wide so I could use a 1X6 from which to rout the fenders.

Taking it slow, I routed them all out in 4 steps, using a 1/4" up spiral carbide bit. Probably coulda done it 3 steps but I'm cautious.

I think I could have done it faster on the band saw because the 1X6s could have been stacked. But, more sanding would have been required. Total time would probably be equal.

All in all, it was a worth while re-introduction to this machine I've had stored for 15 years. I'd sure like to put it to more tasks. Just gotta come up with some suited to the machine's capabilities, that can't be accomplished on the router table.

All ideas gratefully accepted!!!!:)

fjimp · Post by **fjimp** » Thu Jan 14, 2010 6:18 pm

Gene Howe wrote:Wife and I are making toys for grandkids. While we were at it, we figgered why not make 6 of each of the seven patterns and give 5 sets to needy kids in town.
5 of the toys are cars and require fenders. The plans call for them to be about 1/4" thick and 3/4" wide. What better time to try out the OPR?

The first step was to trace the fender patterns onto 1/4" ply to get wood patterns. I cut two at a time (1 set) out of the ply on the band saw and trued them up on the oscillating sander. Then I glued all 14 patterns on a piece of 1/2" by 6" wide by 36" long. Then added 1/2" rails on the outside edges for stability.

The pattern base (the 1/2" ply) was 6" wide so I could use a 1X6 from which to rout the fenders.

Taking it slow, I routed them all out in 4 steps, using a 1/4" up spiral carbide bit. Probably coulda done it 3 steps but I'm cautious.

I think I could have done it faster on the band saw because the 1X6s could have been stacked. But, more sanding would have been required. Total time would probably be equal.

All in all, it was a worth while re-introduction to this machine I've had stored for 15 years. I'd sure like to put it to more tasks. Just gotta come up with some suited to the machine's capabilities, that can't be accomplished on the router table.

All ideas gratefully accepted!!!!:)

Gene,

What a neat idea. I wish you had either done a video or taken pictures as you built the template and routed the pieces. Inquiring minds would love to see more. Congratulations Jim

Gene Howe · Post by **Gene Howe** » Thu Jan 14, 2010 6:31 pm

fjimp wrote:Gene,

What a neat idea. I wish you had either done a video or taken pictures as you built the template and routed the pieces. Inquiring minds would love to see more. Congratulations Jim

Jim,
Just made another pattern jig. I'll post some pics tomorrow.
Gene

fjimp · Post by **fjimp** » Thu Jan 14, 2010 6:44 pm

Gene Howe wrote:Jim,
Just made another pattern jig. I'll post some pics tomorrow.
Gene

Gene,

Thank you, that is terrific. I can't wait to see them. I have my OPR set up and can't wait for my finger to heal so I can complete the promised projects and learn to use it. Jim

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Thu Jan 14, 2010 7:30 pm

Ideas? Seems like you are on the right track, Gene!:) Your rails on the base were a good idea for the template that allowed safe OPR use. Now you have a template to make more cars. Did you use carpet tape to attach the 1x6 to the template?

qtndas01 · Post by **qtndas01** » Thu Jan 14, 2010 7:37 pm

Good going!! Its a great accessory if you have numerous things to make the same and you can use the pattern over and over without much setup. I have used mine to make the dadoes and rabbets in cabinets. Could do it all in one pass and they all came out the same.

Gene Howe · Post by **Gene Howe** » Thu Jan 14, 2010 11:35 pm

charlese wrote:Ideas? Seems like you are on the right track, Gene!:) Your rails on the base were a good idea for the template that allowed safe OPR use. Now you have a template to make more cars. Did you use carpet tape to attach the 1x6 to the template?

Yep. the fiberous kind.

cocacola1012 · Post by **cocacola1012** » Fri Jan 15, 2010 3:49 am

Looks like I might have to invest in a OPR. I have a reg roter but sometimes it takes a long time to set up.. Mainly because I have clear my roter table off before I can use it.

Gene Howe · Post by **Gene Howe** » Fri Jan 15, 2010 4:29 pm

As promised, here are some pictures of the OPR, template and results. Plus a few of the unfinished toys.
This was fun! Searching for more uses for this beast.
Gene

[ATTACH]7370[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]7371[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]7373[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]7372[/ATTACH]

fjimp · Post by **fjimp** » Fri Jan 15, 2010 6:44 pm

cocacola1012 wrote:Looks like I might have to invest in a OPR. I have a reg roter but sometimes it takes a long time to set up.. Mainly because I have clear my roter table off before I can use it.

This would be a great time to do so. Right now Shopsmith has a great sale on the new version. Jim