Simple Router Template To Make Access Panels/Grommets

In this video I show you how to make access holes and covers sometimes called grommets for my woodworking projects using a router and a template. If you need an access panel to get to sockets or a stopcock this method works for cabinets, desktops or floors and creates the perfect fit every time.
Method used to make the template: • Easy Circle Cutting Ji...
If you are interested in any of the CAT Power Tools I use in my videos: aef.aws.aphix.software/cat/c-...
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[@franklettering]

Are you aware of how good you are. ?
....these videos are first class.

Thank you very much 🙂

[@jamesconnolly655]

Tommy you never fail to impress 👏 your knowledge and teaching skills are top class

Thanks James 🙂

[@paultay23]

Brill just Brill

Thanks 🙂

[@edinilsonsilva6130]

GREAT TIPS!!!!!!! Thanks for sharing. Cheers from Brazil.

Thank you very much and thanks for watching 🙂

[@michaelfoley1080]

I just discovered your channel Tommy. Top class content and all well explained. Thank you.

Thank you very much and welcome to the channel 🙂

[@CreativeCarpentry]

Thanks for the video - nice neat way of getting an access hatch done. The router is such a useful tool especially when you get your head around using guide bushes and templates. Look forward to next weeks instalment 👍

Thanks David 🙂, yes a router is a very versatile tool to have in the workshop.

[@paulbrennan9193]

Absolutely brilliant Tommy well explained and demonstrated. I will definitely have to try this out. More people definitely need to see your channel 👍

Thanks Paul 🙂

[@andrewdolinskiatcarpathian]

Hi Tommy. Thank you for another master class. Very informative. 👏👏👍😀

Thank you very much 🙂

[@Steve_Wojo]

Another great tip from Tommy's shop. I am enjoying your channel.

Thank you very much 🙂

[@jigsey.]

Fantastic teacher Tommy...

Thank you very much 🙂

[@pnowikow]

That is a neat trick. I've never seen that before.

Thanks, simple use for a router with many applications

Thanks, simple use for a router with many applications

[@DirkieB]

Tommy! That is a fantastic tip and this is what I'll be using to make my router table top! T

Thanks 🙂 I had the same plan myself 😉

[@davidnuttall1383]

Very clever

Thank you 🙂

[@recloakedworkshop]

Great video Tommy. Thanks for sharing. You’d better watch that dust on your chest!

Thank you very much, yes I definitely need to upgrade or modify my router stand

[@chrislambert9435]

Thankyou, for your help, from . . . Chris . . . Norwich, England

Thank you Chris 🙂

[@chrislambert9435]

@ I have a Shed/workshop in my back garden, its 20m X 4m. Iam having the time of my life in it

[@keggyification]

Thanks Tommy, more useful tips and tricks from the master.

Thank you 😊

[@Parsifal54]

Una idea perfecta y un desarrollo excelente, felicitaciones

muchas gracias 🙂

[@andrewriches506]

Good evening Tommy. Thank you for the video as usual you make the work look very simple. It is great to see how the Professionals work.

Good evening Andrew. Thank you very much 🙂

[@joedefloat7802]

Nicely done Tommy and a the fit was perfect, question where do you get your CAT Tools.

Thanks Joe, I got them from AEF limited in Dublin they are the distributors for Ireland. I'm very pleased with them so far 🙂

[@johnmurphy3854]

Very good Tommy so much can be done with a router that we just never think about thanks very much for this one. John

Thanks John 🙂

[@CitiesandTowns1966]

Awesome video!!!

Thank you very much 🙂

[@chrisbellis4762]

Dear Tommy, this is so good! Thank you so much for sharing it with everyone and going to the trouble of producing such a good video, with everything in focus and plain view. Looking forward to more of the same

Thanks Chris 🙂 I really appreciate your kind comment

[@higherstandardspc]

Awesome video ; )

Thank you very much 🙂

[@davidspencer2549]

Brilliant

Thank you very much 🙂

[@christycullen2585]

thanks Tommy another great useful video

Thanks Christy 🙂

[@johnfitzgerald4274]

Thank you.

Thank you for watching 🙂

[@therelaxingwoodshop7495]

Very nice Tommy. As always

Thank you very much 🙂

[@williamcrawford4900]

Brilliant Tommy, up to your normal high standard. Hard to believe its more than a year and a half since you started the channel!!
Keep them coming.

Thanks William 🙂, yes time is flying hopefully I can keep it growing for years to come

[@hi-tech55]

I’ve only just found your channel Tommy. Throughly enjoying it. Great stuff.

Thanks very much 😀

[@moosed]

Hi, Tommy! I'm new to using guide bushings. Up until now, pattern and flush trim bits with bearings have sufficed, but now I'm running into situations where trying to make a bearing-bit do the job is just not working.
Your video was very easy to follow, so I chose to try it for myself to get familiar with these new guide bushings.
I've been confused about one thing -- and it's not getting any better! From what little I've learned, guide bushings can reduce the size of a piece when the pattern is a cutout in a template. Bushings can also expand the size of a piece when the pattern is a solid object, like the off-cut you used to make the insert in the second step of the video.
That's where I am getting tangled up. If you use the same router setup for both the first and second steps, the first step reduced the pattern leaving an off-cut which was smaller. Then when using that hole's off-cut to create the insert, if using the same setup, it would upsize the piece by the same offset, right?
That's what i experienced when I tested the process myself. I wound up with an insert that was the exact size of the hole the off-cut came from. in fact, the remains from my step 2 was a duplicate of the hole created in step 1.
The only way I can see getting an insert larger than the hole is either use a larger guide bush in step 1 than or 2 -- or use the resulting insert from step 2 and repeat that step, increasing the size of the piece two times versus once.
Am I missing something basic in your tutorial? I've watched it over and over, and the only thing I can see that would follow my theory is you used a larger guide bush in step #2 to increase the offset and, in turn, the size.
Like I said, this is new territory for me. Anything you can offer would be greatly appreciated.
Help!! And keep up the great videos. You're a natural!

Hi,
From reading your comment I think the problem your having is caused by your guide bush and router bit sizing. If you are ending up with a piece the just fits perfectly in the first hole cut you must have an equal setup of bush and bit combination for example a 30mm bush with a 10mm bit which gives a 10/10/10 split.
The offset needs to be generated by using a combination of for example a 30mm bush and a 6mm bit which gives a 12/6/12 split and thus creating the overlap by 6mm that's required.
I hope this makes sense. Tommy

[@moosed]

@ That makes total sense. I'm living in the US Empire, so naturally I'm using Imperial measurements :-P.
The bushing is 3/4", and the bit is 1/4". That would be an even 1/4 | 1/4 | 1/4 split. 🤓 I guess my OCD gravitated toward the symmetry those numbers offered. Given the bushings I have and my option of either a 1/4" or 1/2" bit, that's what I went with.
I'll try again later with a less even split. If I use my 1" bushing (the largest in my set), that would give me 3/8 | 1/4 | 3/8. For this task, I'm starting to think I need a) bigger bushings, b) a smaller bit, or c) both!
Thanks very much for the quick reply. I appreciate learning from someone who has way more experience and can explain it so even newbies like myself can grasp it.
Every chance to learn is a good thing. If I hadn't made this "discovery", I may never have learned not to do that!
Thanks again! Doug.

[@moosed]

@ By the way, I cut another insert using the first insert (same size as the hole) as the pattern along with my 1" bushing & 1/4" bit. That gave me a 3/8" overlap. My rabbeting bit can do 3/8".
Glad to know if I mess up again, I can make it work using the hole I cut.
Aloha! Doug.

[@JBSeymour]

Did you use a 1/4" (6.35mm) rebate cutter? I cant find a metric equivalent.
Stumbled across this video. This is absolute genius because of the rebate which stops the panel falling through or needing hinges. Thank you for taking time to share this

Hi,
The rebate cutter I have has multiple different bearings so I can swop them to create a 6mm or 6.35mm rebate.

[@JBSeymour]

@ do you mind me asking where did you get the cutter from, I can't find any metric versions ?

@@JBSeymour I honestly can't remember where I got it iv had it for years. If you can get a set of router bit bearings you should be able to create the desired rebate even with an imperial bit. You should be able get bearing sets on amazon

[@Stealthbobber06]

Thanks Tommy! Love your videos! What is the double sided tape you are using? Everything I see is thick. I need something thin, like you are using.

Hi, I mostly use 3M double sided tape it's not too thick and really sticks well to everything. Sometimes it's sticks too well 🤣

[@technoluxcustomcabinetry]

Is that CAT I’m seeing on the Router? Does CAT makes woodworking tools?

Yes that's exactly what you see, CAT do make a range of powertools and they are actually very good

[@martyn1678]

hi tommy when you put the "grommet" in and it beautiful like yours how do you get it out? cheers

Hi Martyn, that depends on the location and purpose of the grommet/ access panel. Sometimes it may be possible to reach from underneath and simply push it up. But for the times when this isn't possible like bottom of a cabinet with no underneath access I simply use a small suction cup to lift it out.

[@simonrawlinson2575]

Wondered how this was done and came across your video which explained the process perfectly! Excellent tutorial, new subscription added 👍

Thank you very much 🙂 and welcome to the channel

[@royharkins7066]

Brilliant

Thank you 🙂