Router tables help you make nice cuts with their routers that might be very difficult to complete freehand. They help you guide the boards across the bits instead of you guide the handheld router over the board. There are some techniques and tips used for stabilizing the wood while keeping it down firmly. You can learn useful information below:
If possible, you should use a router bit with ½ inch shanks. For many routers, the ¼ inch collets are interchangeable with ¼ inch, and some router bits include these shank diameters. However, a ½ inch bit brings the less vibration and better stability because the great mass of the shank increase – and that provides typically a longer life of a cutter and a smoother trim.
Ensure that the router bit is correctly installed in your router table. Place it into the lowest point, then move it back about 1/16 inch to ⅛ inch and fasten the collets. If the bit isn’t moved back a little, the collets will fasten at the round transition place between the shank and the cutter – meaning that the bit will not have the full touch with the shank base. That causes the bit become loose when you turn on the router – a very terrible scenario.
Ensure that the bit is clean, smooth, and sharp. Dull cutters and resin buildup cause heat buildup that produces bad cuts and further dull your bit. You can consider the reputable brands to remove buildup as using since some bits are coated diamond sharpeners. You should check the nicks of the router bit’s cutting edge. It’s better to remove the small nicks by the diamond sharpeners, however, the experts often like the cutters including large nicks for the best reground.
Control the bit speed. Router bits are not operated at the identical speed. The larger has the greater rate and, therefore, it creates the larger vibration at the high speeds. Manufacturers often list clearly and definitely the maximum speeds of their products, and you must follow their recommendations for the safety. It’s necessary to know that these top speeds are notified for the safe operation, but you don’t need these speeds for all situation. You also need to consider other factors including the wood properties, the bit condition and quality, feed rate, and the router horsepower.
Clean the chips. Link your table or router to a dust collecting system or shop vacuum to remove all waste materials. If the rubbish gathers between the workpiece and the plate or between the workpiece and the fence, it’s hard to make cuts.
It’s better to make many light passes than a heavy cut. It is extremely important to work with router bits that remove several materials, but it applies when you cut rabbets or dadoes with straight bits. Bits and routers aren’t produced to take over all materials at the single action, and if you make a try, you will get burning and tear out. Instead of one cut, make three or four passes, making every cut deeper each time. That can be particularly beneficial when feeding with the wood that is easy to burn or tear-out. If you use the flush trim bit for routing the wood or trimming the edge, use a band saw or jigsaw to remove much material first to prevent the burden of the bit.
Control the feed rate. It’s the speed you move the wood edge across the bit rotating in the router table. The fast speed can cause the bit to become stuck or make rough cuts while the too slow rate creates burn marks on wood edges. Thus, you should practice frequently to produce a consistent and smooth feed rate. It’s very important to work with long stocks since they require steady movements. Stops will lead to burns so you should keep the wood moving.
Use a fence and feather boards. When you route the wood by a router table, ensure that you set the fence correctly so the wood surface supports the steady feed rate. Feather boards are also the good way for remaining the wood tight on the table top and the fence when you move it across the router bit.
When cutting all edges of the wood, route in the correct direction. Route the end parts first, then continue to the long edges. As you work the long parts first, there are splinters on the final grain routing. Shaping the ends first can remove all splinters on the wood.
router table
The final thing you need to know is practicing all these things frequently so that you can create precious cuts with your router table. The router bit is very important factor in the router table so you need to take a good care of it for the best advantages.
