I’m using a router for the first time in my life and wanting to cut a keyhole slot in the back of the panel to hang a set of elk antlers.
These elk antlers are quite heavy and I’m nervous about the wood panel tearing/splitting/ripping while the antlers are hung up.

The panel is 1” thick.

How deep should I drill the slot so it doesn’t fall off the wall?

Thanks!

Make a metal keyhole slot and just drill a hole in the wood. You can put as many screws in the metal keyhole as you think you will need.

If I understand what your doin, I have seen flat metal straps screwed to the board just over your the slot horizontaly making for strength.


Osky

Here’s a pic of what I’m wanting to do.

How deep should the cut be on a 1” panel for it to hold this set of antlers up?

Unless the wood is some type of hard wood, I would recommend the metal keyhole slot or metal reinforcement of some sort. Would hate to have that nice rack get damaged by falling off the wall or hurting someone. I've cut those slots in many of panels but nothing that had that much weight on them.

That’s my worry. I’d hate for them to fall. The keyhole slot will make the panel sit flush against the wall and that’s what I want.

Looking at that rack, I would say there is a difference in weight from side to side. If you do a keyhole and it's not in the right place in most likely will hang lopsided.
I would make a hole twice as big as the head of the screw you are using to hold it up. I would suggest a 5/16 head x3" tap con screw.
Make a 2" horizontal hole, flatten the metal hanger, and screw it fast with #1 trim screws. 1" long
You will have to find the proper depth to set the screw for flush hanging.
And the metal strap will let you adjust left or right for proper balance.
Just what I would do

Hey wetdog, are you saying to cut the slot from left to right rather than up and down? And make the slot 2” long?

Yes sir. 1" high x 2" long. And you might want to make the bracket out of a piece of steel. An old trap pan would work.
Just make it big enough for a trim screw on each side and one above the slot you cut

Those keyhole cutters cut quite shallow. I don't think I'd trust one for an elk rack. Others have mentioned a metal keyhone rack, and that is what you'd want.

Something like this? Just drill a hole in the panel and screw this over it?

Yes that will work. Just don't put all the screws in to start. As I said earlier, it looks like one side will be a bit heavier than the other. You may have to move the plate left or right. After you get it hung, shoot us a pic.

Ok thank you! This is trickier than I thought it would be lol.

No the tricky part will be , when you find the perfect place and there is no wall stud there. Lol
Been down that road more than once.
Anymore if I'm doing a man cave or a gals get away room and they want drywall, I put 3/4 ply on first with drywall over. Then they can hang whatever wherever.

Now that you have the bracket, the fastener should go into a stud, wall anchors are made for a item that fits against the wall and has a straight down pull.thing is with antlers they stick out from the wall and pry against the anchors and sheetrock is weak.

So did you get those antlers hung?

I did those antlers for someone else. I hope they’re on his wall lol.

I'd add the metal ...or you'll regret it later.