OPERATION
DEPTH OF CUT
As previously mentioned, the depth of cut is importantbe- cause it affectsthe rate of feed which, in turn, affectsthe
qualityof a cut (and, also, the possibilityof damageto your routermotorand bit).A deepcut requiresa slowerfeed than a shallowone, and a too deep cut willcauseyouto slowthe
feed so muchthatthe bit isno longercutting,it is scraping, instead.
DEPTH OF CUT
Makinga deep cut is never advisable.The smallerbits--
especiallythose only 1/16 inch in diameter
thatyoudo not exceed 1/8 inchdepthofcutin a singlepass, regardlessof the bit size or the softnessor conditionof the
workpiece.See Figure 10.
To make deeper cuts it is therefore necessaryto make as many successivepasses as required,loweringthe bit 1/8 inchfor eachnewpass. In ordertosavetime,doallthecutting necessaryat one depthsetting,beforeloweringthebitfor the nextpass.Thiswillalso assurea uniformdepthwhenthefinal passis completed.See Figure 11.
DIRECTION OF FEED AND THRUST
The routermotorand bit revolvein a clockwisedirectionThis. givesthe toola slighttendencyto twist(In yourhands)in a counterclockwisedirection,especiallywhen the motorrevs up (as at starting).
Becauseofthe extremelyhighspeed of bit rotationduringa "proper feeding" operation, there is very little kickbackto contendwith undernormal conditionsHowever,shouldthe. bit strikea knot,hard grain, foreign object, etc. that would affectthe normalprogressofthe cuttingaction,therewillbe a
To guard against such a kickback,plan your
the same directionthat the leadingedge ofthe bitis moving. In short,the thrustshould be in a directionthat keepsthe sharpedges of the bit continuouslybitingstraightintonew (uncut)wood.
ROUTING
Wheneveryou are routinga groove,yourtravelshouldbe in
adirectionthat places whatever guide you are usingat the
torightandcounterclockwisearoundcurves.Whentheguide ispositionedas shown in the secondpart of Figure12 tool travelshouldbe rightto leftand clockwisearoundcurves.If there is a choice,the first
Fig.10
2ND. PASSJ I / | I _L_ |
GUIDE OUTSIDE,
_ TH_Eoo
jou,o
THRUST" FEED
GUIDE INSIDE | Fig. 12 |
i
ROUTING WITH GUIDE BUSHINGS
When usingtheTemplateGuideBushingsItemNo.
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