Hi, I am a professional trim carpenter in the Moscow Idaho area and trim out about 12 - 13 new houses a year. Most of the trim is MDF and I am having a problem with water damage in the master baths around the shower area. I plan to trim out the bathrooms with poplar and polystyrene, poplar in the non wet areas and polystyrene in the areas right next to the shower and tub.
Problem is that I can't seem to find a router bit to match the trim that I am using.
The trim is a Sierra Base style MFP- 029 similar to the MDF- 217A here and is sold through Pullman Building Supply. If I could find a router bit to fit this profile I would simply mill my own sticks out of poplar and polystyrene; unfortunately I have struck out with matching this profile.
Making your own moulding in the quantity and consistency you would need for a dozen new homes sounds more like a job for a moulding machine rather than the a router. In addition to the problem of matching an existing profile, I would think that achieving the consistency required for a moulding run could be problematic. The moulding machine would get the job done faster and easier.
After the initial investment in the buying a moulding machine, custom made cutters would probably be relatively inexpensive. I would also guess that a number of stock cutters of varying profiles for less money than custom cutters would be available.
+1 on buying it. Don't make your own molding unless you are really bored and have nothing else to do. Your cost to do so will be much higher than purchasing it.
Sorry for the late reply guys; it's been a long and hectic week. Loren, I've spent a week Googling every combination of "router bits" including "custom" that I can think of to no avail. I did try to do my homework before troubling you gentlemen. JBrow, I'm not making trim for the whole house just a few pieces for the master bath maybe 16' per house max. waho6o9, yes, this might be my only recourse.
@ DrDirt and TungOil, I would love to just buy pre-milled waterproof stock rather than make my own (I'm never that bored ) and am trying to contact the manufacturer to see what they have to say. I had a sales person at the pro desk looking into it at one point with no results so I will go the direct route now. I do know that a poplar version at least exists so I might just have to settle for that.
It blows my mind that such a simple profile that is so common should be so impossible to find a router bit for. I mean the total height of the actual profile is only 1 and 5/8 inches. o_o
I still would love a bit for this base as then I could turn my router table into a coping station.
Anyway, thanks for your replies. I follow up with what I can find out.
If you are using enough of this profile you may be able to get the supplier to make it for you in the polystyrene material. I have heard of guys having this sort of thing done. May have a minimum of 500' or 1000'.
They are selling it in MDF. Are they offering it in poplar? Or are you making that too?
I have a friend here that does amazing custom work. And when he starts doing whole house remodels he has told me its cheaper to have it done vs making it himself.
If they don't have it call them and get a quote to have it made for you.
Won't cost anything to find out if it's affordable.
I have had them run molding for me before.
I wouldn't make my own.
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