Best way to make overflow teeth?

[testhead1313]

I'm assuming a router is the best way to go, but do you all use a certain bit or a template for spacing? I'm working on a DIY overflow and want to make it as non-DIY as possible . Any advice or anyone around New Bedford want to give me a hand? Thanks!
Chris

 

[JohnK]

Template is probably best, personally I just use a 1/4" straight bit on a simple router table.

Set the fence for how deep you want the teeth, and clamp a peice of scrap wood perpindicular to the fence as an end guide (you have to move it for each tooth). Then just mark every 1/2" on the paper on the acrylic, line the bit up with the marks and adjust the end guide so the acrylic buts up against it. Feed the acrylic straight into the bit slowly (I've chipped a tooth before by moving too fast)

 

[willray]

You could drill holes and then saw them open to create slots.

 

[rjdudek]

The best bit I can think of is a finger joint bit for the router. Very expensive. If you have a dovetail jig that would be the next best way to go.

 

[mloebl]

You could drill holes and then saw them open to create slots.

This is exactly what I did. I made a simple template on my drill press so I could measure evenly then drilled every x amount for the desired teething. I then just cut it in half with a table saw. Not as perfect as using a router table, but used what I had

-Mike

 

[Troubleman]

Chris, I have a router table with guides, etc. if you want to drop by.

bob

 

[testhead1313]

Thanks Bob, I'll probably be in touch next week. I won't be around this week much - 3 exams, a house inspection tommorow (woohoo!), and my girlfriend's parents are coming into town on Friday. Hopefully I'll survive
Chris

 

[Troubleman]

Sounds good.......give me a buzz.

 

[ZReef]

Used a handheld router with a template to make the teeth on my overflow. Just cut a U-shaped hole out of a piece of MDF the length of the radius of the router plus the length I wanted the teeth to be. Then cut a groove about 1/8" down on another piece and sandwiched my acrylic between this piece and the template. Here's my finished project:

 

[JohnK]

here's a pic of what I was describing

 

[Reef55]

I drew a level line for how deep the teeth needed to be, and just used a rotozip freehand from there. Took only a few minutes, and works fine.