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6
10.Press the release button to select the 1st
or 2nd routing depth (Fig. 9).
NOTE: The adjustment of each routing
depth should be checked with a trial cut and
re-adjusted as necessary.
When routing is complete, loosen the hand
grip and return the router to the top position.
Feeding the Router
If the router is hard to control, heats up,
runs very slowly or leaves an imperfect cut,
consider these causes:
• Wrong direction of feed – hard to con-
trol.
• Feeding too fast – overloads motor.
• Dull bit – overloads motor.
• Cut too large for one pass – overloads
motor.
• Feeding too slow – leaves friction burns
on the workpiece.
Feed smoothly and steadily (do not force).
You will soon learn how the router sounds
and feels when it is working best.
Rate Of Feed
When routing or doing related work in wood
and plastics, the best finishes will result if
the depth of cut and feed rate are regulated
to keep the motor operating at high speed.
Feed the router at a moderate rate. Soft
materials require a faster feed rate than hard
materials.
The router may stall if improperly used or
overloaded. Reduce the feed rate to prevent
possible damage to the tool. Always be sure
the collet nut is tightened securely before
use. Always use router bits with the shortest
cutting length necessary to produce the
desired cut. This will minimize router bit run-
out and chatter.
Edge Forming
When edge forming, always use piloted or
bearing bits. The lower portion of a pilot
tipped bit is a shaft with no cutting edges.
Bearing guide bits have a ball bearing to
pilot the bit.
The pilot slides along the edge of the work
as the rotating blades make the cut, making
decorative edges. The edge on which the
pilot slides should be perfectly smooth since
any irregularities are transferred to the
shaped surface.
When routing a workpiece that requires edge
forming on the endgrain, always rout the
endgrain edge before routing the edges that
follow the grain. This minimizes the possibil-
ity of damage from any blowout at the end of
the endgrain.
Router Feed Direction
The router spindle turns in a clockwise
direction when viewed from above. For best
control and quality of cut, feed the tool into
the workpiece in the direction that the bit will
tend to pull itself into the wood. Incorrect
feed direction will cause the bit to try and
climb over the wood.
Feed the tool in direction shown here. If cut-
ting around the edge of a square piece,
move the tool in a counterclockwise direc-
tion. If routing the inside surface as shown,
move in a clockwise direction (Fig. 10).
NOTE: Feed direction is extremely important
when using a pilot bit freehand on the edge
of a workpiece.
Release button
FIG. 9
Router Feed direction
Bit Rotation
Work
Rout
End
Grains
First
FIG. 10
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