Routing a rounded channel

[Vic@Perth]

Hi all,

I need some advice on how to route (?) a channel along a length of timber for a stair hand rail. I've attached a photo of what I'm trying to achieve. The height of the rail is 60mm and the width 40mm. Would there be a router bit of this shape and size?

Thanks
Vicki

[woodPixel]

There certainly is.

One would do it in a few passes though, not all as one all-mighty go.

Routers a fearsome beasts. Think carefully about how the timber will be held, the fence you'll be using to guide the router and familiarise yourself with the concepts of "climb cutting" and its dangers.

Use two or three different profiles in a few passes to remove the bulk, then use the desired profile in one last "clean up" pass.

As for finish, make up a block, either of pine or cork, for sanding.

As for profiles, consider getting a carb-i-tool bit or such. Quality matters on these jobs. Some crap from Bunnings will have you weeping.

[DJ’s Timber]

Half Core Box Bit - Carbitool

[tonzeyd]

you could also do that with a table saw and a couple of straight edges, so no need to get a routerbit for a once off job.

A quick google/youtube search will point you in the right direction.

Having said that... depending on how long your rails are, might be safer to go down the router route.

Either direction you go, would recommend doing a test cut on scrap before diving into the good stuff.