[twingall1]

Hi,
Want to cut some large wooden backgammon counters- where can i get a template for this?

Is template the best way? .. Is a router the right tool for the job?

Also, if anyone could recommend a good source of A) information about router basics, B) cheap place to buy router accessories: e.g. ready made templates, jigs etc

Many thanks,
Tom

 

[fire65]

Well welcome to the forum. So many questions with not to many details or pics.

 

[jharris2]

Twing,

Welcome to the forum.

In answer to your question, for larger radii on large and unwieldy workpieces I use Woodhaven templates with a hand held router and the large pattern bit pictured.

These clamp to your workpiece using the white index pins on the template to index the template to to to 90° corner of your workpiece and guide your router for a precise radius.

For smaller radii on smaller workpieces I use washers to mark the desired radius, trim off the majority of the waste using a jig,miter or small cordless circular saw staying an eighth inch from the line on the waste side and the bring the cut to the line using a bench top belt sander.

A stationary or bench top disc sander works for this purpose as well.

After you have a finished the radius you may want to soften the top and bottom of the edges of the workpiece using a roundover router bit.

This is a bit tricky using a hand held router on smaller workpieces so for these I suggest using a router table.

Larger workpieces can be clamped securely to your bench when using a hand held router.

You can also soften the edges of your workpiece with a bench plane and sandpaper or just sandpaper on a sanding block made from any scrap of wood.

Hope this helps.

 

[jharris2]

 

[jharris2]

Woodhaven 3650 Outside Radius Set:Amazon:Home Improvement

 

[twingall1]

Thanks JHarris, Those look perfect but can't get them in the UK, And the 2 us sites i checked don't ship to UK. This seems to happen quite often..

All we have are over-priced and highly specific plastic moulds but they should do the job..

Many thanks,
Tom