I found this in my useful website notes:
Suggested Speeds
0 - 1 inch in dia - 22,000 RPM
1 - 2 inch in dia. - 18,000 RPM
2 - 2.5 inch in dia. - 16,000 RPM
2.5 - 3.5 inch in dia. - 12,000 RPM
At 22,000 RPM the tips of a 3/4" bit travel at 49 MPH, on a 3 1/2" bit they
would be travelling over 220 MPH.
As to the issue of chipout, I think bit speed has less to do with that than
making sure you backup endgrain cuts or through cuts with a backer board.
To get the smoothest finish, use the fastest speed that can be safely used.
I've accidentally run at slow speed (12,000 rpm) with small bits and had
horribly rough surfaces, but when I maxed the speed the surface was
baby-butt smooth.
Mike
"Richard J Petruso" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> How do I figure out the proper router speed so the wood doesn't chip? Is
it
> a matter of just doing some test cuts or is there a rule of thumb to go
by?
> Thank You
> Rich Petruso
>
>
On Tue, 24 Aug 2004 12:28:19 -0500, "Richard J Petruso"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>How do I figure out the proper router speed so the wood doesn't chip? Is it
>a matter of just doing some test cuts or is there a rule of thumb to go by?
>Thank You
>Rich Petruso
>
The larger the cutting diameter, the slower the speed. Also, harder
materials need a slower speed than lightweight woods. For example,
with small bits use 22,000 rpm on pine, maybe 18,000 rpm for walnut.