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FEEDING THE ROUTER
As seen from the top of the router, the bit turns
clockwise and the cutting edges face
accordingly. Therefore, the most efficient cut is
made by feeding the router so that the bit turns
into the work, not away. Figure 13 shows
proper feed for various cuts. How fast you feed
depends on the hardness of the material and
the size of the cut. For some materials, it is best
to make several cuts of increasing depth.
If the router is hard to control, heats up, runs
very slowly or leaves an imperfect cut, consider
these causes:
1. Wrong direction of feed — hard to control.
2. Feeding too fast — overloads motor.
3. Dull bit — overloads motor.
4. Cut is too large for one pass — overloads
motor.
5. Feeding too slow — leaves friction burns on
work.
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 chuck 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, as shown in (Fig. 14).
This pilot slides along the edge of the work as
the rotating blades make the cut, forming
molding or 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 possibility
of damage from any blowout at the end of
endgrain.
FIG. 14
PILOT OR BEARING SLIDES
ALONG EDGE OF WORKPIECE
CUTTER PART OF
PILOT TIPPED BIT
CUT
-13-
FIG. 13
BIT
WORK
DIRECTION OF
ROUTER FEED
START
HERE
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