Hello
I've recently started using a Router, only on test pieces of wood in order
to gain some insight as to what its all about.
The bloody thing bounces all over the place, moves up and down when i think
its locked and causes all other sorts of problems... not like it is on the
Tv eh?
Anybody got any good tips or tricks that i could use to help me in my
education or any web sites where i may be able to obtain lots of advice.
Thanks in advance
Nick
Nick,
When you say it "bounces all around", it sounds like you are routing
in the wrong direction. Read your owners manual and look for a
section on routing direction or climb cutting. Most have the
instructions and graphics that can explain it better than I could
here.
Basically, if your router is bouncing all around, move it in the
opposite direction you had been going. That should solve the problem.
> Most power tools "want" to do what you want them to do. A
> tablesaw "wants" to cut straight. A drill "wants" to make a nice
> clean hole. They do it willingly with minimal guidance.
Like a good dog.
> A router wants to do everything except what you want it to do.
> It will gouge where you don't want it to. It will jump off the board.
> It will attack you.
>
Like any cat.
> Of all the tools in your shop, the router is near the top of
> the list of tools you don't want to use when under the influence of
> alcohol or drugs or even on a bad day.
>
Peter, what tools are on your list for use under the influence of alchohol
or drugs?
Wayne- A cat lover
Routers can be dangerous with a bit that is turning at 22,000 rpm for both
the new and experienced user and the tips and ideas could easily fill a
book. In fact, I suggest you first read a good book on routers, such as
"The New Router Handbook", by Patrick Spielman, or "The Router Book", by Pat
Warner. Also, check out www.patwarner.com . It has a lot of good
information.
Good luck,
Preston
"Nick Bratby" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hello
>
> I've recently started using a Router, only on test pieces of wood in
order
> to gain some insight as to what its all about.
>
> The bloody thing bounces all over the place, moves up and down when i
think
> its locked and causes all other sorts of problems... not like it is on the
> Tv eh?
>
> Anybody got any good tips or tricks that i could use to help me in my
> education or any web sites where i may be able to obtain lots of advice.
>
> Thanks in advance
>
> Nick
>
>
"peter" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Sat, 16 Aug 2003 20:55:52 +0100, "Nick Bratby"
>
> A router wants to do everything except what you want it to do.
> It will gouge where you don't want it to. It will jump off the board.
> It will attack you.
>
----------
Using a router is also new to me and thus far it hasn't attacked me. I've only
used a round-over cutter but I've used it on about 60 foot or so of soft pine.
So is there a logical pattern to 'router attack'? Does it depend on the density
of the wood, the type of cutter or any other identifiable factor? Or is it just
down to operator focus?
On the chance that you're serious and not a Troll:
A router is an extremely dangerous tool, even to those who take the effort
to learn about them first. Put the router back on the shelf and leave it
there until you read up on safe use of routers ... any good book store will
have any number of books on routers and their safe use.
Also, there is a more or less a safe direction to move in when routing:
Make a horizontal fist with your right hand, extend your index finger and
thumb, making a backwards "L" shape as you look down at your hand.
You thumb should always point to the workpiece edge, and your index finger
will point in the proper direction to push the router.
Always follow this rule until you get a handle on safe use of your router.
There are times when you may purposely change this direction, called a
"climb cut". A climb cut is used in situations where tearout is a problem,
or because of grain direction. A climb cut should only be used if you
understand and take into account the forces involved.
Consider buying/building a router table, it will allow you to use the router
more safely in many instances. Make a guard for the bit and learn about
using pins to start cuts.
It's a PITA to ruin a workpiece because you don't understand router basics
... the pain of losing a digit or maiming a limb will last a lot longer.
--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 8/16/03
"Nick Bratby" wrote in message
> Hello
>
> I've recently started using a Router, only on test pieces of wood in
order
> to gain some insight as to what its all about.
>
> The bloody thing bounces all over the place, moves up and down when i
think
> its locked and causes all other sorts of problems... not like it is on the
> Tv eh?
>
> Anybody got any good tips or tricks that i could use to help me in my
> education or any web sites where i may be able to obtain lots of advice.
>
> Thanks in advance
>
> Nick
>
>
It has more to do with the density of your head. Pay attention to what you
are doing. Consider direction of feed (IMPORTANT!) and routing is smooth and
easy.
"gandalf" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
.
>
> So is there a logical pattern to 'router attack'? Does it depend on the
density
> of the wood, the type of cutter or any other identifiable factor? Or is it
just
> down to operator focus?
>
>
>
>
I think if you use the tools in the shop under the influence of drugs and
alcohol then the resultant project only looks good under the influence of
drugs and alcohol...
I remember doing a remodel with a younger fellow that I was teaching how to
build stud walls. In the same building there was an other guy patching walls
with Bondo(r) of all things with the doors and windows closed up tight. When
we finished the wall, it was the only straight looking wall in the building.
When we came back the next day, I could see that somehow we flipped the cap
plate end for end and every stud was off by about 2-1/2 inches. Our
"straight" wall looked like a bunch of Z's ... Moral of the story, keep your
head clear and your wits about you... Though I am sure with some help I
could come up with a better moral involving tried and true and level and
square... and all those other carpentry terms that made it into the common
vernacular...
-- A
"Wayne K." <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> > Most power tools "want" to do what you want them to do. A
> > tablesaw "wants" to cut straight. A drill "wants" to make a nice
> > clean hole. They do it willingly with minimal guidance.
>
> Like a good dog.
>
> > A router wants to do everything except what you want it to do.
> > It will gouge where you don't want it to. It will jump off the board.
> > It will attack you.
> >
> Like any cat.
>
> > Of all the tools in your shop, the router is near the top of
> > the list of tools you don't want to use when under the influence of
> > alcohol or drugs or even on a bad day.
> >
>
> Peter, what tools are on your list for use under the influence of
alchohol
> or drugs?
>
> Wayne- A cat lover
>
>
>
Yep, you can sew up a cut. Hard to sew up a dado or rabbet.
On Mon, 18 Aug 2003 18:07:25 GMT, "edfan" <[email protected]> wrote:
> Find a class, a group, a club, a teacher, someone in person. There
>might be several causes for these problems that aren't obvious until someone
>looks while it's happening. Routers are too dangerous to go it alone if you
>have any choice at all. They can spin a sharp bit right through parts of you
>so fat, you won't notice until you feel the blood trickling.
>
>
>
>"Nick Bratby" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> Hello
>>
>> I've recently started using a Router, only on test pieces of wood in
>order
>> to gain some insight as to what its all about.
>>
>> The bloody thing bounces all over the place, moves up and down when i
>think
>> its locked and causes all other sorts of problems... not like it is on the
>> Tv eh?
>>
>> Anybody got any good tips or tricks that i could use to help me in my
>> education or any web sites where i may be able to obtain lots of advice.
>>
>> Thanks in advance
>>
>> Nick
>>
>>
>
Find a class, a group, a club, a teacher, someone in person. There
might be several causes for these problems that aren't obvious until someone
looks while it's happening. Routers are too dangerous to go it alone if you
have any choice at all. They can spin a sharp bit right through parts of you
so fat, you won't notice until you feel the blood trickling.
"Nick Bratby" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hello
>
> I've recently started using a Router, only on test pieces of wood in
order
> to gain some insight as to what its all about.
>
> The bloody thing bounces all over the place, moves up and down when i
think
> its locked and causes all other sorts of problems... not like it is on the
> Tv eh?
>
> Anybody got any good tips or tricks that i could use to help me in my
> education or any web sites where i may be able to obtain lots of advice.
>
> Thanks in advance
>
> Nick
>
>