Floating Shelves LED Lighting - How to Router Channel for Tape Lights

In this video we router out some dados for LED lighting. We make a jig to use with our router and route out the exact channel size for our aluminum channel. LED tape lighting will be installed in the aluminum channel and covered with a diffuser cover.
I purchased these aluminum channels form amazon:
Aluminum LED Channel - geni.us/Ka2P on Amazon (commissions earned)
2P-10 CA Glue - geni.us/xSzL7P on Amazon (commissions earned)
iGauging Setup Bars - geni.us/p10aPsK on Amazon (commissions earned)
Whiteside Downcut Spiral Router Bit - geni.us/smtA on Amazon (commissions earned)
DEWALT Router, Fixed/Plunge Base Kit, 12-Amp, 2-1/4-HP (DW618B3) - geni.us/tYzoRS on Amazon (commissions earned)
-My Favorite Tools - Insider Carpentry Amazon Site - www.amazon.com...
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[@akosorosz1905]

Every builder wishes their tradesmen were like Spencer. It's one thing to find someone who does quality work, but having someone who actually thinks about and helps out the others like Spencer is damn near impossible. Great workmanship and the best attitude for work and other trades. Work Ethics 101!

[@ParisCarpentry1971]

You make carpentry look so easy and fun in everything you do! That’s how good you are! Take my hat out to you!

[@MuzataCableRailingLEDChannel]

Meaningful instructional video! Detailed work often takes a lot of effort and deserves to be learned by more people!

[@Mopardude]

With those off set bases you can get centering cones that you chuck up, makes centering them 100 times faster.

[@Whoisddepew]

From a fellow finish carpenter keep up the good work. Even though we do all the same work I still enjoy watching your videos and still catch a new trick here and there or a more efficient way of doing what we do. Thanks buddy!!

[@InsiderCarpentry]

Thanks 👍

[@johnnyutah1053]

Perfect timing, I'm getting ready to install some floating shelves with recessed led lighting just like this!

[@miketony2069]

wow - I learned a lot! I'm a newbie and was trying to figure out the best way to add under desk led strips to my custom desktop. I didn't want to just tack it underneath but wanted a nice flush inlay. Looking at how you did it for the floating shelves gave me some great ideas. Love the jig!

[@Aepek]

Like how you prepared for next trades coming behind you when building. Really helps thing along and is just nice👍🏻😊

[@mansardmanor3869]

*I always expect high quality designs* *You Never fail to perform* That's Why You're the Professional

[@bobziroll]

I'm making very similar shelves and tried to make the jig but realized I didn't have the right router bushing or templating bit I need anyway. Then I remembered I have a Bosch edge guide that I hadn't opened yet. Routed the first pass on all 6 of my shelves, then snuck up on the fit for the second pass (cutting the grooves to the correct width) on one shelf and repeated it for all 6 shelves. To me, it feels like it was way easier than making the jig, and the track fits nice and snug in all the grooves. 🤷🏻‍♂

[@TheExcellentLaborer]

Those LEDs really set it off. I’d love to do that project sometime. I might try something like that one day and make a video on it. Thanks a lot for sharing! OK I got to get back to laboring.

[@DesignbuildsolutionsLLC]

This is great...I think I'm going to be adding some lighting to some floating shelves soon. Do you think you'd recommend these lights to be toward the front or rear of the shelves? And, did you create a video on installing/wiring the shelves?

[@OmarGarcia-bi7jq]

Kind of late but get the plunge base Dewalt base comes with vacuum attachment , great video 👍🏼

[@ealdydar]

Tip if you dont have gauging blocks. You Do. You have a complete set just use the chuck side of drill bits.

[@morokeiboethia6749]

I love my gauge blocks. I bought 2 sets b/c always seem to need them in pairs

[@Kamehaiku]

I appreciate people like you. Mahalo 🤙

[@Mike-yd9gq]

Beautiful job!! would love to see the led lighting used and how it was ultimately wired ?

[@matthewking4699]

Just found this great video…what’s the thickness of the shelves? Thanks!

[@libertarian1637]

Invest a few dollars on a centering cone; I use the same one with a 1/4” shaft on one side and 1/2” reversible shaft on the opposite side to ensure base plates are centered on the bits venter line.

[@DRV_Woodworks]

Great Job. Was thinking about making shelves ans slat wall paneling with these lights as they look super modern and clean crisp look. I noticed though your floating shelf brackets looked different than what I've seen. Can you share where you got them please?

[@danny2131]

You are a true craftsman! Nice ass work

[@hazmat2448]

Great video. Thank you for taking the time to make them. Do you know what kind of LEDS they used?

[@josearango8838]

I liking your designs

[@iobotwoodworks]

i just did something similar last month! i love it. Def picked up some tips here for the next one i make

[@1osbornemk]

Spencer I may have missed it, do you a video on making and installing the floating shelves?

[@InsiderCarpentry]

I haven't yet. I have the footage, but I haven't edited the video yet. Stay tuned.

[@Insima]

@@InsiderCarpentry we need the video out ! Those shelves look amazing !!!! Please release the video soon !

[@kcbowls300]

Phenomenal work as usual Spence!!!

[@Nest2309]

The glue /finger comment is so everybody gets the finger with glue the whole week too? Just kidding excellent work like always

[@EverydayBuilds]

Great content as always. 👍 Thank you for sharing your knowledge and providing such detailed explanations. It is very much appreciated 😁

[@carllamb6711]

Very good … love your channel 👍👍👍👍

[@jeffmiller3596]

Great work as always, but curious if you couldn't just clamp a fence and use a plunge router to rout the channel?

[@InsiderCarpentry]

You could if the channel width is exactly the same as the router bit. I was using a narrow router bit in order to match the exact width of the channel with the jig.

[@alexrains1893]

@@InsiderCarpentry I do this a lot. Generally the channel is 17.8mm so I use an 18mm straight cutter.

[@dhammer5645]

Just finished 2 kitchen renos with these lights for under cabinet lighting. I turned out great.

[@jwar2163]

Did that back in 2014 for my parents home undermount lighting with dimmable led and Aluminum track. I even put the dimmable led with 3 foot tracks/channel and lighting controlled by motion sensor at the toe kicks for ground floor lighting being my parents are in their mid 70s. My mother tells me her cats make the lights go on all the time. One of these days I find a better motion detector.

[@aheckaman]

How are those lights powered? Do you happen to know of any good lighting options that are battery powered?

[@T0MaTOS]

MAN! You do great work! Thanks for sharing!

[@doughamel150]

thank you you are excellent focused clear and immensely helpful...i have mostly done framing and a little finishing work....learning heaps thanks

[@zac2641]

Would it have been easier to just use a plunge router with an edge guide as opposed to making a custom jig?

[@nickmacker5683]

Exactly what I did. Thought I was going nuts.

[@jaytee1888]

Great video, I wish there was a follow up one on wiring them the best way.

[@ChristianaBaker]

Why do you install the lighting to the back and not in the center? Just curious!!

[@mikefarris1623]

These look great, but I was wondering if it might not be better to have the LED's more towards the front. It seams like that anything that in towards the from of the shelf will be lit from behind.

[@hmtrimworks7148]

Nice job prepping for sparky... -Off topic question... have you or anyone you know used the Delta Cruzer Miter saw? I seen one the other day and I thought it was a kinda odd set up

[@InsiderCarpentry]

I haven't used one or known anyone who has used on personally.

[@davidpaly]

Great work. Very informative.

[@tc9148]

Terrific install and video.

[@BBKConstruction]

Thanks for the video Spencer, I’ve recently made a few folding shelves using your folding technique. I made them 3” and used 1 1/2 material to fasten to wall. Do you use steel frames to hold your shelves?

[@sto2779]

really wanted to see the light effect on those floating shelves.

[@mrgapnu]

I know you have videos of miter saw calibration. But I would much rather have you calibrate mine for me since your more experienced at it. How much for you to do that ? I will pay for shipping as well just really need this done.

[@KhoaTran-zv1ij]

Can you share where did you buy the shelf?

[@reganmacrae3052]

Great job mate

[@jerryweed4123]

Great , informative video. The jig is great if you are making many shelves , but I’m wondering why not just put a guide on a plunge router and run it along the shelf edge while cutting (not a professional wood worker ) if you are only making one shelf

[@streetdreamz-houstontexas9907]

Can these be used for a outside application? I would like to do something like this but for back patio wood columns.

[@stevencasarez8443]

Awesome! How are those two metal rods mounted inside the shelf? Fill the shelf with PL3? Thx!

[@InsiderCarpentry]

Exaxtly

[@mpxz999]

I never knew what a router was until watching this! This is SO COOL! Could I use a router and a jig, like what you made here, on drywall? Ir are routers for wood only? Thank you for the cool video and inspiration!

[@benshell8662]

Id recommend that style of router for wood only. There are dedicated drywall routers out there for the same or less price. I have one, it's great

[@jeffchandler5520]

I was wondering, what were your shelf supports that you use

[@davids8493]

Very clever, as usual. 👍

[@danielduong8017]

Thank you very good I love it

[@Cousin.Justin]

*Welcome Back* 🤜🏻💥🤛🏻

[@remodelwithashleys]

Do you have a video building the floating shelves?

[@InsiderCarpentry]

See my recent video on miter folding.

[@robwright3064]

Pretty sweet! I want floating shelves but the location of them is a wall that’s against the basement foundation.

[@georgelutz8212]

Just look into it a bit.Theres a mechanical fastener for every application these days.Good luck.

[@joshuahellriegel3354]

Hey man check if you can update the Festool sander in your Amazon store. Was going to order through your affiliate link and it’s out of date so it shows out of stock.

[@InsiderCarpentry]

Thanks! I updated. These links will work as well as affiliate links. I appreciate it! amzn.to/3BPr8rS amzn.to/3l6qvU8

[@ibarskiy]

What are those brackets?

[@vdsmade]

Super video ✌️👽

[@jeffreyhammond4942]

what LED lights did they put in the aluminum channel?

[@marconumero9481]

Hi ,Spencer. Great info. On a unrelated subject. Question; what jobs in your opinion would the domino be a consideration, seems to me that built ins would be the only area where you can get some money/ time savings. Any other applications in the finish carpentry realm, in production and semicustom. Its on your Amazon list but I haven't seen a lot of use in your videos Thank you.

[@InsiderCarpentry]

You're correct. I rarely ever use mine. It has very few applications in my work flow. The only time I use it is when I need an actual large tenon to strengthen something.

[@sny714]

Do you always make your floating shelves out of plywood? Or do you use hardwood also?

[@InsiderCarpentry]

Almost always plywood.

[@sny714]

@@InsiderCarpentry wow did not expect a reply! Thanks!! Would you recommend plywood for floating shelves in a bathroom? I dont have a tracksaw yet and had issues squaring up my last plywood floating shelves.

[@InsiderCarpentry]

Yep. I always go for plywood unless I need a length over 8’.

[@bermsledt]

Nice one.

[@sakultasal9221]

Whats the name gold one router bit stopper ?

[@mrkrause3]

Love it!

[@davidmatias6239]

I would like to know what LED strips lighting were use

[@anthonyfunicelli4437]

anyone know which LED lights were used here?

[@charleswelsh3138]

Hey spencer, I bought the aluminum channel from your link. Your video says 1/2” bit. The aluminum is 17 mm or .66” It seems a 3/4”bit is too big. I can’t find a 17 mm bit anywhere. Any suggestions? Thanks Charles

[@charleswelsh3138]

Sorry, I figured it out. Gotta use a 1/2” bit and make the jig to the appropriate size. My bad, dumb question.

[@Espiritiv]

Whats the best distance to have your LED channel from the back wall of your shelf so that its not to close to make a hot spot against the wall?

[@bobziroll]

I'm sure YMMV, but I was about to route the channel 2.5" from the back of the shelf, but decided to actually hold the lights up under the shelves to determine the best spot. To my surprise, they looked MUCH better being toward the front of the shelves instead, since it actually iluminates the items on the shelves evenly, rather than casting a shadow from behind. It's the same principle in photography - put your subject with the light at their faces if you want to illuminate their features as opposed to drowning those features out with a backlight. (Unless you're going for a silhouette look or something, but that's besides the point). FWIW, for my 80" wide, 12" deep shelves, I routed my channel 2.5" from the front

[@marcxx131]

What are the chisels you use? of course i want the same ones 🙂

[@InsiderCarpentry]

I like the stanley sweetheart chisels. Great quality. decent price.

[@marcxx131]

@@InsiderCarpentry Thank You

[@kevincanales6060]

Where’s the installation video?

[@lovinglife8988]

Would be great to see the end result :(

[@joshuaescolas1346]

Curious why you wouldn't just use you 1010 with the track?

[@InsiderCarpentry]

You could if the channel width is exactly the same as the router bit. I was using a narrow router bit in order to match the exact width of the channel with the jig.

[@DucomaVet]

Where’s the hard wiring install?

[@davecurda2350]

Can you please show us how you made the shelves

[@InsiderCarpentry]

See my video on miter folding. Ten tips.

[@kratt309]

Jointing plywood is very hard on the knives

[@shrimpinpat]

You need a centering cone for your router plate

[@loganpatterson4674]

Man would you please do a video on building floating shelves like that?

[@7628739]

Why do you need an electrician for low voltage wiring

[@InsiderCarpentry]

Because I'm a carpentry sub. Not the electrician. Should the electrician install baseboard on a new home just because he can?

[@NewYears1978]

This is way too complex for me lol..I figured there was some super easy way to do this..maybe with a table saw or something.

[@LordPadriac]

The tiny little pieces he slathers the super glue on like a fat dude at a nude beach slathers on sunblock and the largest piece on the back he just puts a couple of dainty dabs.

[@morokeiboethia6749]

A good drinking game would be every week you rotate who's house you're going to and then that friend who owns the house has to down 5 long island ice teas for starters, then take on home improvement tasks that are give to him by the friends. "Stan, looks like you could use some touch up painting around that mahogany fireplace mantle. Why dont you take this oil base paint and 2 shots of this crystal head vodka and get right on that. Careful near that bear skin rug."

[@slappydoolittle7329]

Who can afford to waste plywood on jigs nowadays? (That’s only about 50% sarcasm.).