Project Information
A neighbor stopped over and asked me to cut some rings in some 1/2" thick clear acrylic blanks. The inside edge of the rings will be lined with strip LED lights and then inserted behind the speakers on his boat. Accuracy was paramount as he wanted the outer edge of the rings to be flush with the speaker covers. I've made circles many times, never rings. Sounds like great idea and a challenge, I'm game.
First step was to hot glue some 1/4" plywood to the paper covered acrylic blanks. I was surprised how well that worked.
Next step was to make the jig in the first photo. it's simple, but functional. The slot in the middle allows me turn on the router with the bit below the table surface and raise it incrementally during the cut. The inner and outer dimensions of the rings are controlled by the router table fence position. That worked great tweaking in the outer cut with my JessEm table fence; but I had to use the pictured temporary fence for the inner cut (The jig is a tad bit long).
The third photo shows the final cuts and the resultant ring. It also shows how the ring sits behind the cover. I added a small recess in the outer edge so the cover actually snaps on to the ring.
Happy neighbor.
First step was to hot glue some 1/4" plywood to the paper covered acrylic blanks. I was surprised how well that worked.
Next step was to make the jig in the first photo. it's simple, but functional. The slot in the middle allows me turn on the router with the bit below the table surface and raise it incrementally during the cut. The inner and outer dimensions of the rings are controlled by the router table fence position. That worked great tweaking in the outer cut with my JessEm table fence; but I had to use the pictured temporary fence for the inner cut (The jig is a tad bit long).
The third photo shows the final cuts and the resultant ring. It also shows how the ring sits behind the cover. I added a small recess in the outer edge so the cover actually snaps on to the ring.
Happy neighbor.
