Freehand Routing - Craftsman 315.175342 Operator's Manual

Fig.15
,_ WARNING: Cutter continues to rotate after the _lk
router has been turned off. To avoid injury, wait until
the cutter has come to a complete stop before re-
moving router from the workpiece.
OPERATING THE ROUTER
See Figures 15- 16.
When routing straight cuts across stock, clamp a straight
edge to the workpiece to use as a guide. Position the
straight edge parallel to the line of cut and offset the
distance between the cutting edge of the cutter and the
edge of the router base. Hold the router base against the
straight edge and rout the groove.
When routing a groove wider than the diameter of the cut-
ter, clamp a straight edge on both sides of the cut lines.
Position both guides parallel to the desired line of cut and
spacedequal distances from the desired edges of the
groove. Rout along one guide then reverse direction and
rout along the other guide. Clean out any remaining waste
in the center of the groove.
EDGE ROUTING
[] Place the router on the edge of the workpiece without
the cutter contacting the workpiece.
[] Turn router on and let the motor build up to full speed.
[] Gradually feed the cutter into the workpiece.
[] Upon completion of the cut, turn the router off and let
the cutter come to a complete stop before removing
the router from the workpiece.
INTERNAL ROUTING
[] Tilt router and place on workpiece without the cutter
contacting the workpiece.
[] Turn the router on and let the motor build up to full
speed.
[] Gradually feed cutter into the workpiece until the sub-
base is level with the workpiece.
[] Upon completion of the cut, turn the router off and let
the cutter come to a complete stop before removing
the router from the workpiece.
Fig. 16
WARNING: Do not use large router cutter for free-
hand routing. Use of large router bits when freehand
routing could cause loss of control or create other
hazardous conditions that could result in personal
injury, if using a router table, large cutters should be
used for edging only. Do not, for any purpose, use
cutters that are larger in diameter than the opening in
the router base.
FREEHAND ROUTING
See Figure 15.
When used freehand, your router becomes a flexible and
versatile tool. This flexibility makes it possible to easily
rout signs, relief sculptures, etc. When freehand routing,
we suggest the following:
[] Draw or layout the pattern on the workpiece.
[] Choose the appropriate cutter.
NOTE: A core box or V-groove cutter is often used for
routing letters and engraving objects. Straight cutters
and ball mills are often used to make relief carvings.
Veining cutters are used to carve small, intricate de-
tails.
[] Rout the pattern in two or more passes. Make the first
pass at 25% of the desired depth of cut. This will pro-
vide better control as well as being a guide for the next
pass.
NOTE: Do not rout deeper than 1/8 in. per pass.
15