anand@utastro.UUCP (Anand Sivaramakrishnan) (06/26/85)
[] I was asked by several people to summarize the replies or send them copies of the letters I got on advice on routing. Rather than put the replies through a filter that incorporates a woodworking novice's brain, I thought it would be better to post all the replies. My thanks to those that replied, and I hope you do not mind my posting these replies. ...................... From ut-sally!harvard!bu-cs!hen Wed Jun 19 08:06:12 1985 Sears sells a thing called a router table for about $20: you bolt the router on the underside, and run the work along a fence on top. Using a table will have several good effects: you are holding a small piece of wood, not a big, clunky router; using the fence means you're taking a constant sized bite in all dimensions, so it becomes easier to hold the speed of the bit constant; and, most important for safety, nothing blocks your vision of the area of contact between wood and bit. I've gotten to the point where I don't use a hand-held router: I always use a table, or I use a different tool. good luck, Bill Henneman Bostonu ....................... From ut-sally!seismo!philabs!ttidca!ttidcb!caprio Tue Jun 18 20:03:15 1985 I have some advice on getting a better finish with your router. When I first starting with my router I thought that the hardened steel bits were just fine. When I got more serious and starting using hardwoods like oak, maple, walnut, etc. the bits began to show their weakness. I got bad chips (blow out), burn marks, and had to make several passes going deeper with each pass until I got the desired result. I strongly recomend investing in only carbide router bits. The carbide stays sharper longer. The shaper the bit the better the cut. My carbide bits cut through hardwood like butter. I dont need to sand very much at all, I just go over it with fine grade paper. The carbide bits do cost more but in the long run you will be saving money. The carbide bits will outlast the conventional bits 25 to 1. Since I've been using the carbide tips the router has been a real pleasure to work with. I get a real nice finish, they take less effort, and save TIME and money ! Go carbide. They are well worth the extra cost and I'm confident that you will not be disappointed. Have fun. Don Caprio ....................... From ut-sally!ihnp4!ihuxk!db21 Mon Jun 24 09:01:03 1985 Perhaps you are using the wrong tool. If all you are doing is making 45 degree cuts rather than anything fancy, you can do a much neater job with a plane. I personally use a small (No 4) bench plane. It can easily be palmed for better control and will cut both across and with the grain. Of course it takes a little practice. If you must use the router, try to find a bit with a pilot or guide wheel - similar to the formica edging blade. The guide will guarantee that you follow whatever edge you are trying to trim. Dave Beyerl