Routing detail into plain MDF door

foolishboy

Morning all!

I've had a few built in wardrobes installed by a handyman .. the doors are large (8ft ish tall) and currently plain, built using 18mm MDF so pretty solid.

They are however plain and the missus has suggested making them look more like panel doors to add some interest.

I have a router handy and wondering how easy/hard it would be to use the router to add some channels to give the illusion of a panelled door.

Any idea what router bit I'd use to give a nice decorative edge? Pictures of existing work?

I've done a lot of googling, but nothing really coming to the fore.

Thanks!
FB

keith969

It would probably be easier to add wood to the front of the doors rather than remove much of it to give a panelled look. Then you could use an ovolo bit to round over the edges.

Jonesya

The only fake panel effect cutters I've seen are reasonably pricey for a single job - ~£110 for the two cutters and you'd need a template.
http://www.wealdentool.com/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Raise_A_Panel_Set_164.html

If you're not fussy about the pattern/style you could get a tongue and grove effect reasonably easily with a v-cutter and straight edge?