END GRAIN WORK
• Short edges, typically end grain, are not easily
controlled against the router fence and can often tear-
out at the completion of the cut. This can be overcome
by using the protractor fitted with an extended wooden
face as described in 'Cross-trenching'
• End grain work using the protractor can be performed
with the fence fitted (see 'Edge Rebating'), or with the
guard fitted to the router plate (Fig 34)
Fig.34
Using a template guide
See Fig 35
• Use the guard in the table mounted position whenever
possible. If the guard cannot be fitted, due to the nature
of the cut, take great care with your hand positions
MORTICING
WARNING: The cutter cannot be fully guarded when
morticing so ensure your hands are well clear of the cutter
at all times and hold the workpiece firmly.
• You can cut mortices to house the stub tenons cut
withyour saw in the Workcentre.
• Most mortices will require the front guard and hold-
downfinger assemblies to be removed from the fence,
and the guard guide adjusted back behind the face of
the fence
• Position and lock the fence assembly so that the
workpiece will be in approximately the right position
above the cutter
• Test the position of the fence by plunging an offcut of
your workpiece onto the cutter
• Do not set the cutter too high. It is always best to
perform several cuts at increasing settings
• Slide the piece forward along the fence for a short
distance. The cutter will tend to push the material away
• Templates are very useful for cleanly finishing the
edges of curved or shaped components
• Template routing is achieved using a flush trim bit with
top bearing (as used for laminate trimming)
• The fence cannot be used in this operation so the guard
should be re-located to the router plate
1. First, rough out the shape of the workpiece with a
jigsaw
2. Then, using tacks or double-sided tape, attach the
template to the top of your workpiece
3. Set the height of the flush trim bit so that the bearing
runs only along the template. The workpiece will then
finish exactly the same size as the template
4. Feed against the direction of rotation, keeping both
hands on top of the workpiece and well clear of the
cutter
Fig.35
from the fence, so firm sideways pressure against the
fence is necessary
• Consider using the jig described in 'Planing to Width' to
hold the workpiece against the fence
• Re-adjust the fence if necessary and repeat the test
until satisfied with the position of the mortice
• To establish the beginning and end of the mortice, it is
best to work between two stop blocks clamped to the
fence. If the workpieces are too long to use stop blocks
fitted to the fence, replace the MDF faces with longer
ones and fit the blocks to them (Fig. 36)
• With extremely long workpieces (where it is not
possible to work between stop blocks) reference the
mortice position by drawing lines on the side of your
workpiece and aligning these with pencil lines drawn
onto the table to indicate the position of your cutter
TIP: For finishing, it is easier to round off the tenons
rather than chiselling the mortices square at the ends.
End Grain Work / Morticing
GB
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