Freehand Routing

ROUTING

See Figure 9.

For ease of operation and maintaining proper control, your router has two handles, one on each side of the router base. When using your router hold it firmty with both hands as shown in figure 9. Turn router on and let motor build to its full speed, then gradually feed cutter into workpiece. Remain alert and watch what you are doing. DO NOT operate router when fatigued.

See Figure 10.

When used freehand, your router becomes a flexible and versatile tool. This flexibility makes it possible to easily rout signs, relief sculptures, etc.

There are two basic techniques for freehand routing:

•Routing letters, grooves, and patterns into wood. See Figure 10.

•Routing out the background, leaving the letters or pattern raised above _e surface.

When freehand routing, we suggest the following:

•Draw or layout the pattern on workpiece.

•Choose the appropriate cutter.

NOTE: A core box or V-groove bit is often used for routing letters and engraving objects. Straight bits and ball mills are often used to make relief carvings. Veining bits are used to carve small, intricate details.

•Rout the pattern in two or more passes. Make the first pass at 25% of the desired depth of cut. This will provide better control as well as being a guide for the next pass.

•DO NOT rout deeper than 1/8 in. per pass or cut.

Page13