Helpful Hints for Quality Routing
- Cutting length should never be longer than necessary. Increased or extra cutting length causes vibration, deflection, and a lower quality finish cut. The cutting length should also never exceed four times the shank diameter. Router bits exceeding this limit are increasingly susceptible to breakage.
- Always use the largest shank diameter possible. Larger diameters increase tool strength and reduce the possibility of breakage. A 3/8" diameter shank is 50% stronger than a 1/4" shank. Similarly, the strength of a 1/2" shank diameter is 50% stronger than a 3/8" shank.
- Do not overfeed. Forcing the material into a cut can cause chip compression, resulting in bending and/or breakage. The tool should be allowed to "bit" its way through the material. The operator should feel a constant, even pressure throughout the length of the cut.
- Do not underfeed. Underfeeding of material into the cut will cause heat buildup and subsequent excessive friction. This results in reduced tool life and/or breakage.
- Remember to use lubricant. By using of a lubricant whenever possible you can reduce heat build-up and increase the life of the tool.
- Always have materials clamped securely on the machine table. Doing so will help to avoid bouncing or vibrating and to ensure a smooth cut.
- Router bits should be inserted a minimum of 5/8" into the router collet to ensure maximum safety.
- Adjust router speed to match the diameter of the bit and the material being cut. Spindle speeds range from 8000 to 50,000 RPM. Adjusting your router speed to match the diameter of the bit and the material being cut, is essential to tool longevity.
- Dust collection is important for clean cuts and long tool life. The more chips and dust in the cut, particularly when routing throught the board, the more work the tool is subjected to.