In Reply to: Got a Router- what do I do with it?? posted by Matts on August 07, 2002 at 19:59:28:
congradulations! Free hand is not such a good idea. can be dangerous at best. To lose a finger AND make an egg shaped hole is a pisser!
the easy way is to spend 38 bucks at parts express (amoung others)and get a circle cutting jig. a few other ways would include using a flush cutting bit or template follower (lots of names) and you would need to make a perfect template for each size hole. the bearing will follow this template. be it an inside or outside template. I like outside templates for rounds. Inside templates for shapes. there are also bearing kits which will give you an offset to the template by changing the bearing size. I think after typing all this I recomend buying the jasper circle jig!corner rounds are easy. for 3/4 ply. try a 3/8" radius bit. It will have a bearing on it and follow the wood edge. Be carful with your travel speed near the end for end grain split out. travel in the direction that the cutter is working against the travel. left to right. moving with the cutter will give you less controll and the cutter will pull you along. Using a fence, depending on the side your fenc is on. travel so the cutter is pulling into the fence. other wise it will keep pushing you off the straight edge. for deep heavy cuts or wood that splinters easy. multiple passes would be a good thing. Till is an old shop pro, he'll give you some other tips when he pops by.
Bill
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