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Tip
#53
Shopsmith Ovararm Pin Router
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Pg. 1-4, Pg
5-8, Pg 9-12, Pg
13-16, Pg 17-20, Pg
21-23
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Special
Cautions and Considerations on Materials and Techniques
Because
routers are powerful, high-speed tools with unique performance
characteristics, you must pay particular attention to the
materials and techniques you are using to avoid mistakes and
safety hazards.
- All
hardwoods should be worked in light, multiple passes without
pausing or dwelling to avoid burning the workpiece. Open
grained hardwoods such as oak and similar species will splinter
very easily when you reach the end of a crossgrain cut.
For this reason, it's always a good idea to either make
very light passes, leave extra stock on the width of the
workpiece so the splintered area can be cut away or backup
your workpiece with a scrap block at the exit point of the
bit. Another good technique to avoid splintering is to make
all cross-grain cuts first, then make your cuts with the
grain.
- Softer
woods such as lauan, basswood, pine and willow can be worked
in slightly heavier passes but "tear" or "fuzz" easily and
will require more finish sanding.
- Highly
figured woods such as birdseyes, crotchwoods and burls have
an inconsistency of grain that requires cautious, light
passes to produce a clean cut.
- Particleboard
and similar composite materials contain high concentrations
of glue that can quickly dull high-speed steel bits. Therefore,
it is recommended that you always use carbide-tipped or
solid carbide bits when working these materials.
- Plastic
laminates are very hard materials that can also dull high-speed
steel bits quickly. Again, always use carbide-tipped or
solid carbide bits when working laminates.
- Avoid
pressing hard against the bearing pilots on certain bits
during cuts. Since they rotate at such high speeds, excessive
friction could cause a heat build-up that will destroy the
bearings.
- Again,
it's important the stock always be fed into the rotating
bit and not with it to avoid kickbacks.
Continue
to Routing System Operations
Back to Routing System Safety
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