23
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS FOR ROUTER
FEEDING THE ROUTER
The key to professional routing results is to set-up for the cut carefully, selecting the proper
cutting depth, knowing how the cutter bit reacts in the workpiece, and selecting the appropriate
rate and direction of feed for the router.
15. Direction of Feed for External Cuts
The cutter bit rotates clockwise. This means that
feeding the bit from left to right will cause the bit to
pull the router toward the workpiece.
If the router is fed in the opposite direction (right to
left), the rotating force of the cutter bit will tend to
push the bit away from the workpiece. This is called
“Climb-cutting”.
“Climb-cutting” may cause loss of control, possibly
resulting in personal injury. When “climb-cutting” is
required (e.g., backing around a corner), exercise
extreme caution to maintain control of the router.
The high speed of the cutter bit during a proper
feeding operation (left to right) results in very little
kickback under normal conditions. However, if the cutter bit strikes a knot, an area of hard
grain in the wooden workpiece, or a foreign object, “kickback” may result.
Kickback may damage the workpiece and could result in losing control of the router, possibly
causing personal injury. Kickback is always in the opposite direction of the clockwise cutter bit
rotation, or counterclockwise.
You need always keep the sharp edges of the cutter bit biting straight into uncut wood.
To guard against and help prevent kickback, plan the set-up and direction of feed so that the
sharp edges of the cutter bit continuously bite straight into uncut wood. Also, always inspect
the workpiece for knots, hard grain, and foreign objects that could cause a kickback problem.
15
E
Bit Rotation
Feed
Feed
Bit Rotation
Summary of Contents for K11RTA-03
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