Best way to cut a groove into bottom of pocket door?

[Tidybuoy]

I'm wondering what is the easiest way to cut a 1/8 inch thick by 1/2 inch deep groove into the bottom of a door. This is for a pocket door that I have installed. I have purchased a small router but since I've never used one before, I thought I'd ask incase there's an even better way.

[Zeke]

Use a circular saw with a guide. Center it on the door bottom and cut from both directions. Likely you will have enough error that the kerf will be an 1/8th. If not, bump the guide ever so gently and make another pass.

[rwest]

For something big like a door, the router is probably the best choice. Remember that the general rule of thumb is not to cut deeper than the diameter of the bit on each cut, so you’ll be doing 4 or more passes.

You could also do two cuts with a circular saw to get the 1/8” width- might be harder to figure out the center though.

Mind the end where the bit exits as it can blow out the wood there- clamp a scrap piece of wood to the end to protect it.

[rwest]

The best of both worlds might just be an 1/8” slot cutter bit for your router- cuts like the saw, but rides on the flat side of the door.

[look 171]

https://www.amazon.com/CMT-822-364-11A-3-Wing-Bearing-Cutting/dp/B001NI8L7M/ref=sr_1_20?dchild=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwwqaGBhBKEiwAMk-FtH8eZAaRK_0HBUd9A1okwQJ65bNf4Z_BQjah9g-SwCkKmXJ-l3rCURoCQbEQAvD_BwE&hvadid=295105820156&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9030984&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=11370969306730980880&hvtargid=kwd-572424190278&hydadcr=28626_10166754&keywords=1%2F4+inch+slot+cutter+router+bit&qid=1623876868&sr=8-20

This thing.

We try and buy Amana, Bosch or other professional brand router bits but if you are just cutting one guild slot, this or some of the cheaper cutters will do. I don't like to buy cheap cutting tools or blades for safety reasons. CMT is good. Make couple passes and you are done. Lift the door once onto saw horses adj depth of router and save your back.

[look 171]

Mr West best me to it

[rwest]

Originally Posted by look 171

Mr West best me to it

Great minds think alike?

[masraum]

I've heard that you should base your depth of cut on the shank size of the bit. I can't remember what it was, but I want to say that the "guideline" that I heard was 25% of the shank size, so 1/16" passes for 1/4" shank or 1/8" for 1/2" shank. I wasn't aware of that and had previously done whatever cut I needed in whatever I needed however I needed as one pass. So I've probably done 1/2" deep 3/4" wide cuts with 1/4" shanks in red oak using what's probably a 40-50 year old router.

The next time I use a router, it'll be a newer router, with better bits and multiple passes. Assuming I don't end up using a router plane to do all of my grooves.

[look 171]

I always try and use 1/2' shank bits to reduce vibration. I discover most a lot of people put their under power routers too much taking too big a cut. For most cuts, 1/4" shank are enough. Make several cuts. Often the bit they are using is too dull causing all kinds of issues

[Tidybuoy]

Good to hear about the multiple passes. I would have tried to do it all in one pass and my luck I would either break the bit or lose control and cut thru the side of the door.

[Scott Douglas]

I'm with Zeke on this. Circular saw would be my best bet. Hard part doing it that way is setting up the guide.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

I'm with Zeke on this. Circular saw would be my best bet. Hard part doing it that way is setting up the guide.

and not having the saw tilt while cutting the groove.

That's what would make me like the groove bit in the router method. The router surface would sit mostly on one face of the door

[gtc]

Cold Steel katana.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by gtc

Cold Steel katana.

while in mid monkey roll.

[rusnak]

Originally Posted by masraum

while in mid monkey roll.

whilst cheating cheating death and escaping a herd of biting cats.

[look 171]

I am surprise none mentioned hand tools like a chisel and hammer? Router plane, Steve, I know you have a nice old one with a sharp blade. That ought to do it, in about 3 days.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by masraum

I've heard that you should base your depth...

Assuming I don't end up using a router plane to do all of my grooves.

Originally Posted by look 171

I am surprise none mentioned hand tools like a chisel and hammer? Router plane, Steve, I know you have a nice old one with a sharp blade. That ought to do it, in about 3 days.

But I did!

[Vipergrün]

+1 on router and multiple passes, recently did this for barn doors.

[908/930]

Do you have a table saw that you can move outside or to a high ceiling room?

[Tidybuoy]

Originally Posted by 908/930

Do you have a table saw that you can move outside or to a high ceiling room?

Yes. My table saw is a job site saw so it's very portable. I was thinking this could be an easy route and I may test it out on some scrap wood.