What size router should be used when cutting out window/door frames after applying plywood to a house frame? I have used a 1 1/2 hp with carbide flush cutting bit ( 1/4″ shank) but felt ithe router did not have enough power. What do you framers use?
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Replies
Don't use a router at all. Use a circular saw. What's so hard about cutting out for windows and doors before the plywood is put up? If it's already up just snap some lines. Or cut from the inside with a reciprocating saw. I find it interesting how people can make simple jobs harder.
I'm not a full time framer but..
I've long had a love/hate relationship with routing window/ door holes.
A pro level 1 1/2 hp. router will do but a 2 hp. is much better. I'm used to a milwaukee, bosch, or makita but in any case the bit would have to be 1/2 " shank.
Usually I cut them out with a sawzall [from the inside] with a nice stiff [think expensive] demo type blade. Keep the blade parallel to the framing and you can get a great hole.
The other trick is to drill holes in the corners and use those to guide a circ saw.
one of many methods...
But you can't do that from the inside.
That's why you use the drill.
not my point..
Finding the layout is not the drawback to cutting from the outside.
The issue is easy access.
old
We'd frame the walls, sheet 'em, cut the window opening, set the windows, lift the wall.
on second story-the same except add the "ribbon board" (soffit catcher on the wall), add lookouts and the subfascia and tie that back with the banding from the bunks. Raise and brace-looked like a hollywood movie set.
but, kept us off ladders.
That was when we framed and sheeted-no housewrap or paper, no shingles. Set the doors and go to the next one.
We always cut the holes open flat on the deck with a circular saw-don't think we even struck a chalkline.
that's why they called it rough framing.
I helped a guy (my late ex BIL) do the same once. Installed paper (sort of a rosin paper, IIRC) and pre-stained pine siding before raising the wall. Actually built all 4 walls, one on top of the other, then raised them.
Worked quite well, but then he was an archy who actually knew what he was doing.