10
votes
Cutting 2" (50mm) hemispheres into wood
A 2" ball end router bit, and a plunge router with adequate power to run it, and which can run slowly enough to run it safely (large diameter bits must not spin too fast.)
Or (these days) a CNC ...
- 980
10
votes
Tear out when plate making w/ a router
I'm embarrassed to say that I guess I didn't really read enough articles on router bits.. and I was running it way too fast. Needed to slow the router down to around ~18k (speed ~2). So I ran out to ...
- 405
10
votes
Accepted
How does a worktop jig work?
Here is a diagram I made to show how the jig works. The top part shows the offsets between edge of bushing and edge of cutting bit as the centerline. The bottom diagram shows how those two sections ...
- 311
10
votes
Accepted
Another router profile - which bit to use?
Y’all are going to plotz when I tell you this.
Roman ogee. Twice.
- 4,181
9
votes
Why choose a DIY router table over a mananufactured version?
Why choose a DIY router table over a manufactured version?
Typically cheaper. Obviously a lot depends on what you make it from (phenolic-laminated HD-MDF versus bare MDF from the local big-box) and ...
- 67.5k
9
votes
Accepted
How to go about cutting more "organic" shapes out of wood without machines like a CNC
Lamination FTW
If the chair were a different type I'd have suggested solid wood (note: grain must go horizontally), but not for one like this. Laminating up a curved plywood back is the way to go here ...
- 67.5k
9
votes
How can I trim plywood flush to an edge that is not 90 degrees?
If you have a hand plane plywood edges are easy to plane. Size of plane does not matter, this can be done with block plane if this is only type available.
Without hand planes I would trim close with ...
- 2,119
8
votes
How do I achieve inset edge beading?
This is not a job for the router, at least not in the way you're thinking. Here are two quick guides to how this is generally done:
Two Ways to Make Cock Beading on Fine Woodworking.
Q & A: Cock-...
- 67.5k
8
votes
Accepted
What can a plunge router do that a fixed router cannot?
First of all, you are not necessarily limited to one or the other. You can get routers that support multiple bases - Plunge, Fixed, and Offset. If cost is an issue, either buy used, or get one that ...
- 8,054
7
votes
Flattening the face of a board without using a jointer
Possibly the best method to flatten the face of a board using power tools not specifically designed for that job is with a router mounted in a planing sled/levelling sled. There are abundant versions ...
- 67.5k
7
votes
Why is hand held routing less prone to kickbacks than routing on a router table?
Kickback can definitely happen with a handheld router. It's important to use the correct feed direction (typically moving the router from left to right) to prevent it.
There are two reasons I can ...
- 5,530
7
votes
Accepted
What useful features should I look for in a router?
Plunge base - Does the base have the ability to raise and lower the router with hand pressure? This allows accurate plunge cuts for things like stopped grooves and mortises.
Power - Does the router ...
- 5,530
7
votes
Accepted
is it ok to tighten a router bit so the bottom is flush with the bottom of the collet?
A router bit shaft flexes more than you might think, especially one like you show with a big heavy body and relatively large diameter. Because they spin at high speed, that head carries a very large ...
- 2,199
7
votes
Accepted
Large 1/4 inch 45 degree chamfer router bit for cutting mitres
From the youtube videos I've watched it seems that the 45 degree heavy duty chamfer bit 36-950 from Infinity Tools is the go to bit for this sort of job, however it also appears that this only comes ...
- 67.5k
7
votes
Accepted
Is a featherboard necessary on a router table? Why not a block of wood?
A block of wood
Will act as a guide to help hold the work piece tight to the fence/bit to ensure that your cut is consistent. This is good.
Will require precise alignment with the fence. If it is ...
- 6,820
6
votes
Accepted
How to use a router to cut a thick wood board
If you are in a pinch and your router has a plunge base, you certainly could cut all the way through the plywood with a spiral or straight bit, using a straightedge and cutting in 1/8" deep passes. ...
rob♦
- 18.8k
6
votes
Accepted
How to create a 6" hole template with a 1/4" bit and 5/16" template guide?
From the link below...
Figuring template offset
Offset is the distance from the outside of the guide bushing tube to the cutting edge of the router bit. This dimension determines where the bit cuts ...
- 176
6
votes
Accepted
Special switch or out of box failure?
I'm not familiar with that specific router, but the instruction manual (page 9) indicates it has a lock-on/lock-off safety feature:
Lock-On/Lock-Off Switch (Fig. 7)
The lock-on/lock-off
switch ...
- 2,622
6
votes
Tear out when plate making w/ a router
I see you have mostly mitigated the issue, but depending on how your jig works, you may want to consider climb cutting as well on the parts of the plate which tear out.
If you are unfamiliar with ...
- 351
6
votes
Large 1/4 inch 45 degree chamfer router bit for cutting mitres
it also appears that this only comes in 1/2 inch shank
A 45° cutter that's large enough to cut the full 22mm thickness of your work will have to be at least 44mm in diameter, plus the diameter of the ...
- 9,598
6
votes
How can I trim plywood flush to an edge that is not 90 degrees?
If you cut the bevel on a table saw, just tip the blade 3° the other way, flip the frame over, raise the blade just high enough to cut through the plywood and be done with it.
If you used your ...
- 6,820
6
votes
Accepted
What should I do about a router base plate opening that is too small?
This is a good opportunity to make yourself an additional base with a bigger opening. Drill and countersink the holes to match the router casting.
It’s pretty obvious from the pics, but the extra ...
- 4,181
5
votes
How to achieve slightly rounded edge?
You can use a roundover bit in a router
You can use a router table or not, and there are several different size roundover bits. In your picture, it looks like maybe a 1/8" bit was used.
You can also ...
- 2,622
5
votes
How to go about cutting more "organic" shapes out of wood without machines like a CNC
If the back is curved, I would suggest laminating layers of bending plywood over a form to get that curve, then trim to the oval shape with bandsaw/saber saw/handsaw, a trifle oversize, then file/...
- 9,211
5
votes
Accepted
Routing a through dado in a small piece of wood
I'd cut the radius with a forstner bit and then use a table saw (or miter saw) to cut the straights. Once that's done, bullnose the edges by following with the router.
Full-depth cuts with a router ...
- 246
5
votes
In what order should I sand and route my edges?
I usually take a hybrid approach. I sand the flat surface to 150, then route the profile. Last I finish sanding to my final grit, whatever that happens to be. You do need to be a bit careful not to ...
- 4,786
5
votes
Accepted
Router planing jig problem - tracks
I get the same tracks, and they come out pretty easily with the orbital as you mentioned. This happens as small variations in downward pressure will occur when making passes with the router sled.
One ...
- 380
5
votes
Accepted
Best way to hollow-out mantle (at least 4" deep)
If the hollow back doesn't need to be perfect, use a Forstner bit and cut overlapping holes in it to get the desired depth.
You could also treat it like a big bandsaw box, and cut all of the sides ...
- 8,054
5
votes
Accepted
Struggle to cut material with router, dull bit?
The problem was a dull bit, as suggested in the comments.
I just purchased a new CMT full carbide bit and now everything works as expected. No smoke, no burn marks, just cutting. Although even if it ...
- 191
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