need woodworking advice

[aragorn723]

Hi,

Last year i built a Quickie, and made a wooden case from some pieces of maple.  The top plate is sitting on top of the wood frame (but not recessed).  I'd like it to be recessed, but the case is already stained and has lots of coats of poly.  Is it possible to cut a recess into it with a router without taking the case apart and starting from scratch?  Thanks,

Dave

[STURMJ]

That should work fine. Cover the top surface with blue tape to prevent scratching the poly. Also go slow, maple is very hard and going slow will help prevent any tear outs (small knots, softer wood,etc.)

[Doc B.]

You will have to square out the corners with a chisel, but it is certainly doable with a router rabbeting bit.

[mSummers]

Doc. B beat me to the chisel comment.  I'll second Strumj's suggestion of using blue tape and add that you should use it on both the top surface and the inside surface to prevent tear out.

[RPMac]

You will have to square out the corners with a chisel, but it is certainly doable with a router rabbeting bit.

Or you can round the corners of the top plate with a file.

[aragorn723]

Sounds good to me.. gonna give that a go.  Thanks!