How to Use a Wood Router's Depth Adjustment
Using a wood routers depth adjustment opens up the possibilities for many projects. The depth adjustment for all wood routers are basically the same. Some of the better quality wood routers have a ruler built in for accurate setting, but many do not.
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Things You'll Need
- Safety glasses
- Wood bit
- 6-inch hand ruler
- Wood router tool
- Screwdrivers
- Scrap wood pieces
Instructions
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1
Unplug the router whenever you are changing the tool or adjusting the depth on the wood router. Always wear safety glasses whenever you are using any type of power tool.
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2
Place the wood router tool of your choice into the router tool bit chuck and tighten. Unlock the depth adjustment lever so the adjustment screw can move freely and easily by turning the knob at the top of the router. This knob lowers and raises the small table that the wood router rides on to cut the wood.
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3
Lower the table to where the bottom of the tool bit is flush with the table. Place the hand ruler across the table and use it as a straight edge against the tool bit. Most wood routers will have three or four setscrews for a repetitive depth stop. These screws will range in length from a half inch to one and a half inches. These depth stop setscrews are generally placed on a small turntable that makes them easily adjustable.
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4
Raise the wood router table to a ½ inch and use the hand ruler to measure the depth of the tool that protrudes past the table. Set the lowest setscrew to this height and lock it in place with the wood router tool provided by the manufacturer. If you do not have a tool, use a Philips or slotted screwdriver. Lock the depth handle in place by pushing the lever lock down.
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5
Test the depth adjustment by cutting a slot in a piece of scrap wood. Measure the depth of the slot, cut by the router, using the hand ruler and tweak the height as necessary. Repeat with each depth setting of your project requirements.
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Tips & Warnings
Use a c-clamp to hold down the scrap pieces of wood to test the depth measurement.
Follow all manufactures operational and safety procedures that came with the wood router.
