The following tips and techniques may help as you develop your routing skills.
1.
Feed Direction
The correct way to use a router is to feed it in the direction opposite to the way it wants to go. If you were to allow the bit to race into the cut--also called climb cutting--it would result in a wavy edge and could possibly damage the tool. Work counterclockwise along outside edges and clockwise along inside edges. When using a router table, work from right to left. (Fig. 1)
2.
Feed Rate
Cutting speed involves finding a comfortable balance--moving too slowly produces a smooth finish, but it also tends to burn the wood. Feeding the work too quickly forces the tool to work harder than it should, and can produce a rippled cut. The optimum feed rate depends on the wood, the router, and the bit you’re using. If you hear the motor straining, slow down. If you can smell something burning, increase your feed rate.
3.
Multiple Passes
One way to get a smooth cut without burning is to make light sweeping passes and to work up to the desired depth of cut. Light cuts won’t overtax your router or overheat your bit.
4.
Use Ball-Bearing Piloted Bits
Bits that ride against the edge of the work rely on either a fixed or ball-bearing pilot. Fixed bits are generally cheaper, but the friction of the spinning pilot tends to burn the work.
5.
Avoiding Splintering
Any time you rout along a board’s end grain, the bit has a tendency to lift out, or splinter the grain. Depending on the type of work you’re doing, there are two ways around this.
If you are routing around all the edges, rout the ends first, and then rout the sides. This will clean up any blown-out corner. (Fig. 2)
If you’re not routing the ends, try clamping a piece of scrap stock to the edge where the bit will exit the wood. Cut right into the scrap; it will support the good edge of the project. (Fig. 3)
6.
Router Safety
A router is one of the most useful--and dangerous--tools in your shop. Common sense should tell you not to attempt any project without adequate eye and ear protection. You should also realize that routers and sawdust go hand in hand, so be sure that you wear a good-quality dust mask or respirator. If you feel uncomfortable about a certain technique, don’t do it. The benefit to working with routers is that they offer dozens of different ways to perform the same job…find an alternative that feels safe to you.
