22
Top-Edge Shaping
Whenever the workpiece thickness, together with the desired depth of cut (as adjusted by
router depth setting) are such that only the top part of the edge is to be shaped (leaving at
least a 1/16 in. thick uncut portion at the bottom), the pilot can ride against the uncut portion,
which serves to guide it (Fig. 16).
Whole-Edge Shaping
If the workpiece is too thin or the bit is set so low that there will be no uncut edge against
which to ride the pilot, an extra board must be placed under the workpiece to act as a guide
(Fig. 16a). This “guide” board must have exactly the same contour, “straight or curved” , as the
workpiece edge. If it is positioned so that its edge is flush with the workpiece edge, the bit will
make a full cut (in as far as the bit radius). On the other hand, if the guide is positioned (out
from the workpiece edge), the bit will make less than a full cut, which will alter the shape of the
finished edge.
NOTICE: The size (diameter) of the pilot that is used determines the maximum cut width that
can be made with the pilot against the workpiece edge (a small pilot exposes all of the bits; a
large pilot reduces this amount by 1/16 in.).
Any of the piloted cutter bits can be used without a pilot for edge shaping with guides.
WARNING
Always securely clamp your workpiece and keep a firm grip on the router
base with both hands at all times. Failure to do so could result in loss of
control causing possible serious personal injury.
Feeding the Router (Fig . 17)
The secrets to professional routing are a
careful set-up for the cut, selecting the proper
depth of cut, knowing how the cutter bit reacts
in your workpiece, and the rate and direction of
feed of the router.
The cutter bit rotates clockwise.
NOTICE: When installed in a router table, the
direction of rotation will be counterclockwise
and other planning is required.
Direction of Feed-External Cuts
(Fig . 17)
Feeding the bit from left to right will cause the
bit to pull the router towards the workpiece
(see Fig. 17).
If the router is fed in the opposite direction (right to left), the rotating force of the cutter bit will
tend to throw 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, or a foreign object, “Kickback” may result. Kickback may damage your workpiece and
could cause you to lose control of the router, possibly causing personal injury. Kickback is
always in the opposite direction of the clockwise cutter bit rotation, or counterclockwise.
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Fig. 17
External Cuts
Internal
cuts
BIT RO-
TATION ROUTER FEED
DIRECTION
ROUTER FEED DIRECTION
ROUTE END GRAINS FIRST
