Edging With A Pilot Bit - Craftsman 320.17542 Operator's Manual

EDGING WITH A PILOT BIT (Figs. 15 and 15a)
The arbor-type bits with pilots are excellent for edge shaping of any workpiece edge that
is either straight, or curved at a curvature as great or greater than the radius of the bit to
be used. The pilot prevents the bit from making too deep a cut; and holding the pilot firmly
in contact with the workpiece edge throughout prevents the cut from becoming too shallow_
Whenever the workpiece thickness, together with the desired depth of cut (as adjusted by
router depth setting) are such that only the top part of the edge is to be shaped (leaving at
least a t/16-ino thick uncut portion at the bottom), the pilot can ride against the uncut
portion, which serves to guide it (see Fig° t5).
If the workpiece is too thin or the bit set too low so that there will be no uncut edge to ride
the pilot against, an extra board to act as a guide must be placed under the workpiece
(see Fig° 15a). This "guide" board must have exactly the same contour - straight or curved -
as the workpiece edge. if it is positioned so that its edge is flush with the workpiece edge,
the bit will make a full cut (in as far as the bit radius). On the other hand, if the guide is
positioned as shown in Fig_ 15a (out from the workpiece edge), the bit will make less than
a full cut - which will alter the shape of the finished edge°
NOTE:The size (diameter) of the pilot that is used determines the maximum cut
width that can be made with the pilot against the workpiece edge (the small pilot
exposes all of the bit; the large one reduces this amount by 1/16-in.). Any of the
piloted cutter bits can be used without a pilot for edge shaping with guides.
Fig. 15
Spindle
Cutte
Pilot
_._:/Motor Housing
>X/_ Spindle
Collet/Nut
Fixed Base
sub-base
Workpiece
TOP EDGE SHAPING
Top Edge of Workpiece
Fig. 15a
WHOLE EDGE SHAPING
Workpiece
de Board
Whole Edge of Workpiece
WARNING:
Always securely clamp your workpiece and keep a firm grip
on the router base with BOTH HANDS at all times. Failure to do so could result
in loss of control causing possible serious personal injury.
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