DM 2610920458 05-12_DM 2610920458 08-10 5/14/12 11:18 AM Page 6
10.Press the release button to select the 1st
or 2nd routing depth (Fig. 9).
NOTE The adjustment of each routing depth
should be checked with a trial cut and re-
adjusted as necessary.
When routing is complete, loosen the hand
grip and return the router to the top position.
Feeding the Router
If the router is hard to control, heats up, runs
very slowly or leaves an imperfect cut, con-
sider these causes:
•
Wrong direction of feed – hard to control.
•
Feeding too fast – overloads motor.
•
Dull bit – overloads motor.
•
Cut too large for one pass – overloads
Rate Of Feed
When routing or doing related work in wood
and plastics, the best finishes will result if the
depth of cut and feed rate are regulated to
keep the motor operating at high speed. Feed
the router at a moderate rate. Soft materials
require a faster feed rate than hard materials.
The router may stall if improperly used or
Edge Forming
When edge forming, always use piloted or
bearing bits. The lower portion of a pilot
tipped bit is a shaft with no cutting edges.
Bearing guide bits have a ball bearing to pilot
the bit.
The pilot slides along the edge of the work as
the rotating blades make the cut, making dec-
orative edges. The edge on which the pilot
Router Feed Direction
The router spindle turns in a clockwise direc-
tion when viewed from above. For best con-
trol and quality of cut, feed the tool into the
workpiece in the direction that the bit will tend
to pull itself into the wood. Incorrect feed
direction will cause the bit to try and climb
over the wood.
Feed the tool in direction shown here. If cut-
ting around the edge of a square piece, move
the tool in a counterclockwise direction. If
routing the inside surface as shown, move in
a clockwise direction (Fig. 10).
motor.
•
Feeding too slow – leaves friction burns
on the workpiece.
Feed smoothly and steadily (do not force).
You will soon learn how the router sounds
and feels when it is working best.
overloaded. Reduce the feed rate to prevent
possible damage to the tool. Always be sure
the collet nut is tightened securely before use.
Always use router bits with the shortest cut-
ting length necessary to produce the desired
cut. This will minimize router bit run-out and
chatter.
slides should be perfectly smooth since any
irregularities are transferred to the shaped
surface.
When routing a workpiece that requires edge
forming on the endgrain, always rout the end-
grain edge before routing the edges that fol-
low the grain. This minimizes the possibility of
damage from any blowout at the end of the
endgrain.
NOTE Feed direction is extremely important
when using a pilot bit freehand on the edge of
a workpiece.
Router Feed direction
Work
Bit Rotation
6
FIG. 9
Release button
FIG. 10
Rout
End
Grains
First