Low cost stile-and-rail bits

[KLF]

I need to make a couple of doors to close off a storage closet in a bedroom, it's an odd shaped area because it's above the stairs. The doors need to be about 50"x18" each. I looked into some prebuilt shutter doors, but they were just too expensive ($200+).

I'd like to try my hand at making stile-and-rail doors. I have a very nice router table and a Makita plunge router (1/2" chuck), but I don't have a bit set. This will be a one-time project, so I'd rather not spend $120+ for a bit set. The interior panels will be plain 1/4" birch veneer plywood, so they will match the doors in the room. Stiles and rails will be made out of clear pine, and everything gets painted, so this is not fine cabinetry.

I found a ogee-pattern bit at Sears that is supposed to do stiles and rails, you swap the cutting parts around to make the pattern work. It's about $45. Anybody ever use this bit? I hate buying cheap tools and making compromises, but I just can't justify the expense for this one project.

[MikeMcCoy]

I don't know about that bit but Holbren has some bit sets at a good price.

[radhak]

Our own Brian sells some very good sets on his site (www.holbren.com) that you might want to look at. Apart from its price, nothing 'cheap' about his bits.

I believe he offers some discount to BT3-ers (i wouldn't know it by experience - never remember to type in the code at checkout ). search by his user-id (holbren) for any of his posts, his sig-line has info.

[KLF]

Perfect!

Oh wait... both sets that I would buy... "Out of Stock". Argh...

[JR]

FWIW - I saw a three-bit raised panel set at HF for about $20 at their recent sidewalk sale.

Sorry, I don't have a link handy.

JR

[John Hunter]

FWIW - I saw a three-bit raised panel set at HF for about $20 at their recent sidewalk sale.

Sorry, I don't have a link handy.

JR

I have that set and have made several doors with it.

[Tequila]

Since it's a one-time project, have you considered making your doors without a rail & stile set? I made a few simple ones before I moved up to the matched bits.

The joint construction involves making a slot in the end of the stile, and cutting a matching tenon on the end of the rail. You can do both of those with a tablesaw or router.

You can cut out a slot for the panel on the inside of the rails & stiles with a tablesaw or a straight router bit. At the end of the day you've got a fine mission style door with equipment you already have.

Here's a detail of the joint:
http://www.woodshoptips.com/tips/090902/page12.htm



If you want to add a profile to the inside edge, you can dry fit the pieces together and fire up whatever edge bit you want.

[Stormbringer]

HDT often offers this set ( http://www.amazon.com/Makita-733342-...9?ie=UTF8&s=hi ) for a steal at $37. Currently out of stock due to the black friday frenzy but you can e-mail mark and ask him about future availabilty. Great set, incredible price and, even though you don't need it for this projerct, it has the raised panel bit to boot!

Good luck,
Greg

[eezlock]

joint.....

Since it's a one-time project, have you considered making your doors without a rail & stile set? I made a few simple ones before I moved up to the matched bits.

The joint construction involves making a slot in the end of the stile, and cutting a matching tenon on the end of the rail. You can do both of those with a tablesaw or router.

You can cut out a slot for the panel on the inside of the rails & stiles with a tablesaw or a straight router bit. At the end of the day you've got a fine mission style door with equipment you already have.

Here's a detail of the joint:
http://www.woodshoptips.com/tips/090902/page12.htm



If you want to add a profile to the inside edge, you can dry fit the pieces together and fire up whatever edge bit you want.

Tequila, that joint can be done on a tablesaw using a tenon jig..I think it
is called an open bridle mortise joint. eezlock

[Tequila]

Tequila, that joint can be done on a tablesaw using a tenon jig..I think it
is called an open bridle mortise joint. eezlock

I've always called it an open mortise. Never heard it called a bridle before.

[drumpriest]

Yep, that's a bridle joint all right. If you are only making a couple of doors, ever, it's a good option. Or loose mortise and tenon with a rabbeted panel, or even a dado'd panel. Cut the mortises first, then run the dado from mortise to mortise on the stiles. Run the dado the whole way on the rails.

[JimD]

My favorite source for bits is MLCS. They do not charge for shipping which can be a significant difference. The cheapest type of rail/stile bit is the reversable. I still have one I bought from Grizzly. It will still work but is kind of dull. I like the stacked one from MLCS better but it is also a bit more money. Even though you do not envision future usage, I bet you will. It is simple once you get the hang of it. Cut the end grain first so that the long grain cut will remove any tearout. A simple square backing block can be used for the end grain cut but it is also easy to make a sled.

Jim

[mikeinkcmo]

HF has a couple of different profile door sets, a 3 cutter and a 5 cutter set. They were 39 and 59 dollars each.

I bought both just for the panel profiles, but just for the heck of it I made a small door using both sets. They were sharp, seemed well balanced, and the parts fit very well. Used them a couple times now and am satisfied with thier performance.

[Holbren]

Perfect!

Oh wait... both sets that I would buy... "Out of Stock". Argh...

Which ones are out of stock?

[scorrpio]

MLCS has some good ones.
Of particular interest would be:
reversible - the kind where you need to swap cutters to switch.
or stacked - the kind that switches by adjusting bit height.