routing recess for flush finger pulls in floorboards

[Ric]

I want to install flush finger pulls in my floorboards. What is the easiest way to rout out the recesses?

 

[Poignard]

I would use a template

 

[prv]

Since you're presumably going to be doing a lot of them, it makes sense to make a jig out of MDF (or whatever scrap sheet material you have handy). I made one for the counter-hinges I used for our previous boat's new table.

The way I did it was to fit the hat-shaped guide piece on the router, then cut a bit of card to exactly the distance between the bit and the edge of the guide. Then I laid a hinge on the MDF and drew around it using the card as a spacer. Then (with the guide piece removed again) I very carefully free-hand cut along the line. Now with the guide fitted and dropped into the hole, the bit will follow exactly the outline of the hinge. Obviously I did a couple of test cuts first to make sure the template was correct, but after that it was quick and easy to clamp the jig to the table and whizz out the pocket for the hinge. If I ever use the same design of hinge again on another project I can just take the jig off the shelf and use it.

Pete

 

[Thistle]

A couple of Forstner drill bits? Start with the larger size for the outer "ledge" then a smaller one for the deeper bit in the middle.

Edit: I was thinking of a finger-pull on a round backing plate. Obviously this wouldn't work for one on a rectangular plate as shown in BabaYaga's post below.

 

[BabaYaga]

I think it helps to use a router bit with the same radius as the corner of the fitting.

IIRC I cut an opening in a piece of plywood, X mm longer and Y mm wider than the base plate of the router (X and Y being the length and width of the fitting).

 

[philwebb]

Hi I did this on the wooden flooring in my entrance,for mains water access. Turn catch over, mark round with Stanley knife. Use router to take out wood almost up to line (needs a steady hand). Then finish off with sharp chisel and knife. You will have to check whether your floorboards are thick enough as the lifting catches are quite deep in the middle.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

..... You will have to check whether your floorboards are thick enough as the lifting catches are quite deep in the middle.

I have lifted cabin soles where the deep section of the catch was protruding through the bottom of the sole without any loss of security to the catch, so I guess it doesn't matter too much.