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Router lessons learned - first timer

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froggerman:


--- Quote from: ErikRuud on October 12, 2004, 09:00:47 am ---When using a circular saw, measure twice, use a fence and you will get results that are just as good as you can with a router on straight cuts.

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Especially if you put a good blade in the saw.

ericball:


--- Quote from: DrewKaree on October 11, 2004, 07:03:09 pm ---And lastly, make sure you tighten down your router bit.

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--- Quote from: captainpotato on October 12, 2004, 09:06:41 am ---I've got another tip - don't over-tighten it. I did this the first time I ever put a bit in my router and it took three people and a couple of hours to get the damned thing undone. You should have seen the state of my knuckles afterwards :P

Tighten it until you need to apply a bit more pressure, then tighten it a bit more, but no further. At least it works for me like this.

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Yeah, on my first project I didn't tighten the collet enough and the bit slowly sank into the piece.  So rather than making a shallow groove I ended up with scorched wood.

But now I have the second problem.  The I can't loosen the damn collet!  I also have a mental block trying to figure out which way to push the wrench.  Counter-clockwise I think, right?


javeryh:

lefty loosey righty tighty (so yeah, counterclockwise should do it :))

Darkstalker:


--- Quote from: froggerman on October 12, 2004, 12:32:13 pm ---
--- Quote from: ErikRuud on October 12, 2004, 09:00:47 am ---When using a circular saw, measure twice, use a fence and you will get results that are just as good as you can with a router on straight cuts.

--- End quote ---
Especially if you put a good blade in the saw.

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That's the key to getting clean cuts, a good blade at high speed.  Otherwise it will splinter the edge of your cuts.  I highly recommend a good table saw for long straight cuts over doing anything "freehand."

DrewKaree:


--- Quote from: captainpotato on October 12, 2004, 09:06:41 am ---Tighten it until you need to apply a bit more pressure, then tighten it a bit more, but no further. At least it works for me like this.
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Oh, and from a bit I just bought less than an hour ago:  Don't bottom out the bit.  


--- Quote from: javeryh on October 12, 2004, 03:33:54 pm ---lefty loosey righty tighty (so yeah, counterclockwise should do it :))

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I think you're wrong - I heard it was righty tighty lefty loosey ;)



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