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Our house is around 100 years old, and during the course of a bathroom demo, the contractor irreparably broke part of the window trim.

Of course, the big box and local lumber stores are completely useless for finding a match. I imagine the design was common and is probably still available somewhere in bulk. I've also seen an HGTV show where a place used tools that follow the curves of a sample piece to create a match.

The problem is, I don't have a clue where to start my search... any ideas?

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4 Answers

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There is a wide variety of router bits available online.

Handheld routers can be had for less than $200. Some are even less than $100, but the ones I have seen have ¼-inch shanks. Some of the “interesting” router bits are only available for ½-inch shanks.

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I love my router, already used it to reproduce baseboards, but the door/window trim design is slightly more complicated than my workworking skills. – richardtallent Aug 5 '10 at 14:10
Do you know a good online source of unusual router bits. You have me intrigued. – JohnFx Aug 9 '10 at 14:34
@JohnFx - Google finds numerous stores. Unfortunately I have not shopped from any of them; I have left the cabinetmaking to my dad for now. – Vebjorn Ljosa♦ Aug 9 '10 at 15:57
up vote 5 down vote

Look for a local furniture shop or woodworker and ask if they can make it.

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There is a really good place down in Houston, Texas. I love shopping at this place because of all the interesting old reclaimed building supplies they have, especially old plumbing fixtures, doors, windows, and doorknobs.

I checked their web-site and it looks like you can shop online: Adkins Architectural Antiques & Treasures

If nothing else they might be able to refer you to someone local.

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A good, local lumber company should be able to tell you whether such a thing is available. Even if they don't stock it normally, if it is available, they should be able to special order it for you.

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They don't. Been there, done that, all they can get are contemporary designs. – richardtallent Aug 5 '10 at 14:10
Hmm... maybe there is a way to "build it up" from using stock lumber? But that would probably be going more down the route suggested by aphoria. – Scott W Aug 5 '10 at 14:38
A good, timber merchant, will have the machine to make custom trims for you. – Walker Oct 16 '12 at 11:52

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