routher duplicator

[bigpa]

Hi Everyone,

Im tom. the new kid on the block, i would like some help on how to set up useing a routher duplicator. i just finish makeing one 32x54.for makeing a rifle stock im not sure how you set up the blank, and the finish part you are using for coping. is the style lower the the routher bit? can anyone please give me info on how to start seting up a job.

thanks tom

[Donsexton]

I worked for a furniture repair shop that had a duplicate carver in those days it was top of the line. When finished with the router the carving still had to be worked on by a real carver. Start slow don’t take too big of a bite with the router the good thing, anyone can run it.

[Gergie]

Sounds like you need an owners manual. get the name and model number and remember Google is your friend.

Sorry I can't help, never used or seen a duplicator in action.

[azguy]

I have a 4 router duplicator and am doing the same thing. You need to set the stylus and the roughing bit at the same place relative to each other and the pattern center. I have a pair of drill rods with holes in the end that I place between my centers. Then I move the stylus so it is touching the top center of the rod. I then adjust the router bit so it is about 1/8 above its rod. This way your blank, once roughed out, will be larger than the pattern and you will have material to sand to finish size. That or you can move the bit closer to the rod and cut again so there isn't too much to sand down. Just be careful 'cause it's a lot harder to add wood back, than it is to take it off. Good luck. I too am just starting out and got some great advise from some of the folks on here. I am cutting cheap wood right now until I have a good feel for, and know, my duplicators tendencies.

[azguy]

I also got a great tip from a custom stock carver. Take and insert a long piece of straight drill rod in the stylus collet and the router collet. Then move the stylus down each side of the stock (stock mounter in the vertical, barrel channel up) and make sure the stylus doesn't touch the pattern. If it does then your blank is not big enough and you will end up running out of wood! I do this in horizontal and vertical positions before I start \roughing now. Your blank size may not be the issue either. It could be you just need to recenter the blank relative to the stylus/pattern. Good luck.