WWMD: Suggestion to carve shallow channel in skylight curb

[::: :::]

I have to basically rout a shallow channel into 2x & plywood material. I have four of these to do. These are powered skylights and the wire has to come down the curb and enter the roof joist area. The curb height is high because the roof is insulated on top with rigid foam. I don’t really want to furr in the drywall to create a cavity.

I’d hoped to use the router, but it is too close to the inside corner to use it.



I also own:
a dremel,
a trim multi-tool (vibrating dealie that can be a sander, flush trim saw, etc)
Chisels + hammer

How would you create the channel?

Would a rotozip work for this? (I’d still have to confirm offset width. Narrowest condition is 1” off the face of sidewall.)

I’m trying to avoid hand chiseling if possible, but maybe that’s the way to do it.

WWMD

[zartagen]

Router attachment for the dremel?

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Router attachment for the dremel?

I know I can get a straight router bit for the dremel, but don’t know about a guard to run against a straight edge.

Even tho it’s a hidden condition, I’d prefer to not freehand it if possible

Is there such a thing as a laminate bit where the roller is above the blade? (Then I could tack a straight edge temporarily to follow)

ETA
Found this, but it’s listed as 2.7” wide, which seems to rule it out

[zartagen]

One of these is what I meant:

https://m.acehardware.com/product/in...ductId=1289257

Plus a router bit, of course.

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Hah, posted at the same time...yeah, I’ll google a little more to see if that can work

[zartagen]

Another thought is to do a small diagonal by hand to make the channel far enough away from the corner to use router/dremel with guide.

[Vt-Freeheel]

Using a sharp chisel I could make a channel in less than 10 minutes a window. Why spend so much time setting up?

[::: :::]

Using a sharp chisel I could make a channel in less than 10 minutes a window. Why spend so much time setting up?

Or talking about it & googling it?

I’m hopeful that a powered method would cleaner and more consistent

[::: :::]

Another thought is to do a small diagonal by hand to make the channel far enough away from the corner to use router/dremel with guide.

That might be the thing

ETA, looking at that photo again, this also may be preferred to set a line to avoid nails

[Vt-Freeheel]

Or talking about it & googling it?

I’m hopeful that a powered method would cleaner and more consistent

You mentioned padding drywall. Are you not covering this?

[dunfree]

the dremel router base sucks, ime.

if you don't want the easy/skilled way of using a chisel or the "antiquated" router plane (you could make one which extends minimally more than the blade in whatever direction you want), try a dremel router base from stewmac
http://www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools...plete_Set.html
or lee valley (free shipping through tomorrow)
http://www.leevalley.com/us/wood/page.aspx?p=73720&c=3\

you could easily grind away some material from the bases (or at least the stewmac, I own it) to make them work depending on how much needs to go.

< trollbait > a craftsman can be clean and consistent with a chisel < /trollbait >

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You mentioned padding drywall. Are you not covering this?

Yeah, it’s covered. Drywall layers right over this, flush to the wood you see. I take your point, tho...it doesn’t have to be pretty

[::: :::]

the dremel router base sucks, ime.

if you don't want the easy/skilled way of using a chisel or the "antiquated" router plane (you could make one which extends minimally more than the blade in whatever direction you want), try a dremel router base from stewmac
http://www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools...plete_Set.html
or lee valley (free shipping through tomorrow)
http://www.leevalley.com/us/wood/page.aspx?p=73720&c=3\

you could easily grind away some material from the bases (or at least the stewmac, I own it) to make them work depending on how much needs to go.

< trollbait > a craftsman can be clean and consistent with a chisel < /trollbait >

Might be too much control for this one, but I appreciate the suggestions

[Vt-Freeheel]

Yeah, it’s covered. Drywall layers right over this, flush to the wood you see. I take your point, tho...it doesn’t have to be pretty

There you go. Do you have something like a Fein Multimaster? I use mine all the time, draw two lines, cut them and chisel out a channel.

[::: :::]

There you go. Do you have something like a Fein Multimaster? I use mine all the time, draw two lines, cut them and chisel out a channel.

Yeah, I have a ridgid jobmax multitool

That could do it too

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Thanks, all!

[Yukonrider]

Do you have something like a Fein Multimaster?

What he said

This is what the Fein tool is made for.

[krp8128]

Staple it down (use wire staples) and put a small channel in the back of the drywall.

or tuck it into the corner, and when you mud and tape the corner it will disappear

[zartagen]

What was the final solution? We need results, ac!

[snoqpass]

https://www.boschtools.com/us/en/bos...pr004-27216-p/

[Alpinord]

Why not leave a gap in the drywall, install the wire, fill and tape?

Edit: I just noticed krp8128 already suggested similar.

[::: :::]

What was the final solution? We need results, ac!

Using the router away from the wall with a diagonal back into the corner with the multitool/chisel

I’ve been caught up in billable projects so the skylights are sitting at the moment

The drywall gap idea was intriguing but I like the idea that the drywallers just go over this without getting fussy (I’m not hanging it; I’ll do the fussy stuff and let them blow/go)

Going to get back to them this weekend

[Alpinord]

^^^^^
Probably best to recess the wire then. Hope they don't screw or nail through it.

FWIW, and future reference a chain saw disc on an angle grinder is a pretty handy option for stuff luck this, along with carving odd shaped things and cutting small branches, etc.

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