-3-
exceeded. Routing sound pressure
may exceed 85dB(A), so ear
protection must be worn.
5.
Eye protection. Wear safety goggles,
spectacles or visors to protect the
eyes from ejected waster particles.
6.
Respiratory protection. Wear a face
or dust mask, or powered respirator.
Dust masks/filters should be changed
regularly.
7.
Do not switch router on with the cutter
touching the workpiece.
8.
The direction of routing must always
be opposite to the cutter's direction of
rotation. Do not back-cut or climb-cut.
9.
At the end of the cut, release the
router plunge and allow spindle to
stop rotating before putting machine
down.
10.
Check before cutting that there are no
obstructions in the path of the router.
When cutting through the full
thickness of the workpiece, ensure
there are no obstacles beneath
workpiece, and that a sacrificial work
surface is used.
Router Cutter Safety
1.
Cutting tools are sharp. Care should
be taken when handling them.
2.
Always use cutters with a shank
diameter corresponding to the size of
the collet installed in your tool.
3.
Always run router cutters at the
spindle speed recommended and
marked accordingly. Ensure cutter
has reached correct speed before
entering workpiece. Recommended
speeds can be found on the
packaging, in cutter instructions, in the
Trend Routing Catalogue or on our
website.
4.
Always use router cutters in a router.
Router cutters must not be used in a
drill. Drill and boring bits must not be
used in a router. Router cutters must
only be used for the material cutting
application for which they are
designed. Do not use on metal or
masonry.
5.
Never use cutters with a diameter
exceeding the maximum diameter
indicated in the technical data of the
powertool or attachment used.
6.
Do not drop cutters or knock them
against hard objects. Do not use
cutters that are damaged.
7.
Cutters should be kept clean. Resin
build up should be removed at regular
intervals with Resin Cleaner
®
. The
use of a dry lubricant (Trendicote
®
PTFE) will act as a preventative. Do
not use PTFE spray on plastic parts.
8.
When using stacked tooling (multi-
blade, block and groover etc.) on a
spindle arbor, ensure that the cutting
edges are staggered to each other to
reduce the cutting impact.
9.
Cutter shanks should be inserted into
the collet to the line indicated on the
shank. This ensures that at least
3
⁄
4
of the shank length is held in the
collet. Do not over-tighten the collet
nut as this will score the shank and
create a weakness and fracture point.
10.
Observe the correct assembly
instructions in the router instruction
manual for fitting the collet and nut.
Observe the router power tool manual
instructions on fitting cutters correctly.
11.
It is advisable to periodically check
the collet and collet nut. A worn,
distorted or damaged collet can cause
vibration and damage the shank, and
should be replaced. Worn collet nuts
should be replaced.
12.
Do not take deep cuts in one pass;
take several shallow or light passes to
reduce the side load applied to the
cutter. Too deep a cut in one pass can
stall the router.
13.
Very small diameter cutters must be
handled and used with care.
14.
Always return cutter to its packaging
after use.
15.
Should you experience excessive
vibration during use stop immediately.
Have the eccentricity of the router,
router cutter and clamping system
checked by a qualified repair agent.
16.
All fastening screws and nuts should
be tightened using the appropriate
spanner or key in accordance with the
manufacturers instructions.
Using Routers In A Fixed Position
1.
Attention should be made to the
HSE’s Safe Use of Vertical Spindle
Moulding Machines Information Sheet
No.18 and any revisions.
2.
After work, release the router plunge
to protect the cutter.
3.
Always use a push-stick or push-block
when making any cut less than
300mm in length or when feeding the
last 300mm of the cut.
4.
The opening around the cutter should
be reduced to a minimum using
suitably sized insert rings in the table
and closing the back fence cheeks or
fitting a false fence on the back fence.
5.
Whenever possible use a work
holding device or jig to secure
component being machined.
6.
Ensure attachment is securely fitted to
the workbench, with table surface at
approximately hip height.
7.
Ensure a No-Volt Release Switch is
fixed to or adjacent to the attachment,
is easily accessible and that it is used
correctly.
8.
In router table (inverted) mode, stand
to the front right of the table. The
cutter will rotate anti-clockwise when
viewed from top so the feed direction
is from the right (against the rotation
of the cutter).
9.
In overhead mode, stand to the front
left of the machine table and the feed
direction is from the left.
10.
Do not reach underneath table or put
your hands or fingers at any time in
the cutting path while tool is
connected to a power supply.
11.
Never thickness timber between the
back of the cutter and the backfence.
Useful Advice When Routing
1.
Judge your feed rate by the sound of
the motor. Feed the router at a
constant feed rate. Too slow a feed
rate will result in burning.
2.
Take many light passes rather than
one deep cut to reduce the side load
applied to both router and router
cutter.
3.
Trial cuts should be made on waste
material before starting any project.
4.
When using some attachments
including a router table or dovetail jig,
the use of a fine height adjuster is
highly recommended.
5.
When using a template guide bush,
ensure there is sufficient clearance
between cutter tip and inside edge of
bush and that it cannot come into
contact with collet and nut. Ensure
cutter and guide bush are concentric.
Router Cutter Maintenance
1.
Composite cutting tools (brazed tip)
must be maintained by a competent
person i.e. a person of training and
experience, who has knowledge of
the design requirements and
understands the levels of safety to be
achieved.
2.
The design of composite tools must
not be changed in the process of
maintenance. When re-grinding the
tool, care must be taken not to cause
weakening of the body or the
connection between the cutting edge
and the body.
3.
Replacement parts must meet Trend
specification.
4.
Tolerances which ensure correct
clamping by the collet shall be
maintained.
Version 6.0 05/2005
