Climb-Cutting With Small Diameter Bits - Festool OF 1400 EQ Instruction Manual

Climb-cutting with Small Diameter Bits

Disclaimer: Even though Festool does not condone the
practice of climb-cutting with a router, the topic is
known to exist in books and other written publications
on router techniques.
This topic is presented for information only, and is
intended to warn the user of the potential dangers of
climb-cutting. The information below does not explain
how to perform climb-cutting, but instead, what not to
do. Any user attempting climb-cutting, does so at their
own risk.
Climb-cutting is feeding the router in the same direction as
the rotation of the bit. The inherent danger is that the router
bit will tend to self-feed, or "climb" its way down the
workpiece. The sole benefit for climb-cutting is that there
will be less tearout in the cut. This is because the tip of the
cutter enters the edge of the workpiece, instead of exiting the
edge of the workpiece. This shears the wood fibers in a
compressing action, and results in less tearout.
Instruction Manual
WARNING: Climb-cutting with a router is
inherently dangerous! Read, understand, and
follow all of the warning messages below.
!WARNING: There is no entirely safe method for climb-
cutting. The router bit can grab the workpiece at any
time.
!WARNING: Never attempt climb-cutting with large
diameter bits.
Never, under any circumstances, attempt to
!WARNING:
climb-cut with a table-mounted router. The workpiece
will catch and will be propelled off the table.
!WARNING: Never climb-cut around an interior cutout in a
workpiece. The bit can easily catch in the corners.
The workpiece must be fully secured in place
!WARNING:
with clamping devices. Friction mats are not sufficient
for securing a workpiece.
Procedure Notes
Never let your guard down. Always be expecting the
►
router to catch, and think ahead of how you should best
react to the situation before it happens.
As with any power tool, respect the danger, but do not
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operate the tool if you are afraid of the operation. Your
reactions will be diminished if you are afraid of the tool or
the procedure.
Instead of relying on your reaction-time to control the
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router feed rate, use friction. By holding your forearm
firmly to the workpiece as shown in the "Starting a Cut
Near a Corner" procedure on page 14, you use friction to
assist in keeping the router under control.
Avoid climb-cutting with the router moving toward your
►
body. More control is possible with the router pulling
away from your body with your arms outstretched.
Climb-cutting end grain does not improve the cut quality.
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The wood fibers are torn and compressed, and the result is
a rougher finish.
For materials that are prone to burning (such as cherry and
►
maple) climb-cutting reduces burning because the primary
cut is shearing the fibers.
For best results, always follow a climb-cut with a clean up
►
pass in the push-cut direction for the following reasons:
Climb-cutting will push the router bit away from the
►
workpiece, making the cut shallower than expected.
Push-cutting pulls the bit into the workpiece.
Climb-cutting will result in more chatter marks (shown
►
to the left). Push-cutting will remove these.
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