MasterCraft 054-6988-6, Instruction Manual, Page: 22 / 30

headline bars
continuation tabs
notes
warnings
headline bars
continuation tabs
notes
warnings
model no. 054-6988-6 | contact us 1-800-689-9928
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RATE OF FEED
(figs 16a and 16b)
The proper rate of feed depends on several factors:
the hardness and moisture content of the workpiece,
the depth of cut, and the cutting diameter of the bit.
When cutting shallow grooves in soft woods, such as
pine, you may use a faster rate of feed. When making
deep cuts in hardwoods, such as oak, you should use
a slower rate of feed.
Feeding too rapidly (fig 16a)
Clean and smooth finished cuts can only be achieved
when the cutting bit is rotating at a relatively high
speed, taking very small bites, and producing tiny,
clean-cut chips.
Forcing the feed of the cutting bit forward too rapidly
slows the revolution of the cutting bit, and the bit
takes larger bites as it rotates. Larger bites mean
larger chips and a rough finish. This forcing action can
also cause the router motor to overheat.
Under extreme force-feeding conditions, the
revolutions can become so slow and the bites become so large that chips are only partially cut off,
causing splintering and gouging of the workpiece.
The router will make clean, smooth cuts if it is allowed to run freely without the overload of forced
feeding. You can detect forced feeding by the sound of the motor. Its usual high-pitched whine will
sound lower and stronger as it loses speed. Holding the router against the workpiece will also be more
difficult to do.
Feeding too slowly (fig 16b)
When you feed the cutting bit too slowly, the rotating cutting bit does not cut into new wood rapidly
enough to take a bite. Instead, it scrapes away sawdust-like particles. This scraping produces heat,
which can glaze, burn, and mar the cut in the workpiece and, in extreme cases, overheat the
cutting bit.
When the cutting bit is scraping instead of cutting, the router is more difficult to control as you feed it.
With almost no load on the motor, the cutting bit has a tendency to bounce off the sides of the cut in
the workpiece, producing a cut with a rippled finish instead of clean, straight sides.
OPERA
TING INSTRUCTIONS
fig 16a
Bit shank
Cut
Cutter
TOO FAST
fig 16b
Bit shank
Cut
Cutter
TOO SLOW