Beginner Tips for Using a Router for Woodworking
Routers can be fun and help you to create some pretty amazing pieces of woodworking. But like any power tool, be sure to follow all manufacturer's instructions and ALWAYS wear gloves, eye protection and a breathing mask when using a router. Also, be sure to use the proper bits for your router and always keep your bits sharpened.This article will assume that you are using your router freehand. If your router is mounted under a router table, many of the instructions will be reversed. Always remember to move the router (or the wood stock) against the direction of the spinning bit.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
-
Beginner Tips for Using a Router for Woodworking
-
1
Install the proper bit for the style of cut you wish to make. Follow manufacturer's instructions for installing a bit. Use caution when holding or handling a bit by the sharp end. Always wear protective gloves.
-
2
Clamp down the wood you will be cutting. C-clamps are often useful for this purpose (insert a scrap piece of wood between the clamp and your wood stock to avoid scaring your good wood).
-
3
Set the depth of your cut so you will make a shallow cut. It is better to make two or more passes over your wood, shaving off a small amount of stock each time rather than cutting too deeply and risking scorching your project (and your bit) or chipping off pieces of wood.
-
4
Put on eye protection, breathing mask and gloves. Run your router (hand-held) in a counter clockwise direction around your wood stock, across the grain on either end of the board first and then cutting with the grain. Always move the router so it is cutting into the wood in the opposite direction of the spinning bit.
-
5
Develop a "feel" for the proper speed to move your router. The speed that you do your cutting depends on the size of bit you are using, how sharp the bit is, and the hardness of the wood being cut. Cutting too slowly can result in burn marks on your project and cutting too fast can result in chipping.
-
6
Keep the router moving and do not turn it off until after you have lifted the bit clear of your project.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Larger bits require more time to cut than small bits.
If your router has variable speeds, slowing the speed is equivalent to increasing the feed rate and increasing the speed of your router is the same as slowing the feed rate.
Make sure the edge you are routing has been cut clean and straight to begin with so the router guide will have a smooth and straight surface to follow.
Never touch a router bit right after cutting wood. The bit may remain very hot for several minutes.
