Feed Direction - Bench Dog Tools ProMax Instructions Manual

Router top (top view)
Fence
Fig. 15 - A typical setup. Here, the fence is
partially covering the router bit.
Fence
Bit rotation
Fig. 16 - A classic trap resulting in a climb cut.
Always avoid this set-up!
Fence
Bit rotation
Fig. 17 - Not a trap as long as the router bit does
not cut all the way through the stock.
8
Router bit rotation
Workpiece
Proper feed direction
Workpiece
Proper feed
direction
Workpiece
Proper feed direction

Feed Direction

Always feed the workpiece against the cutter
rotation, as shown in Fig. 15. Feeding the
workpiece with the cutter rotation is called "climb
cutting". Climb cutting is very dangerous, because
the cutter will grab the workpiece and thrust it the
same direction as the cutter rotation. Even small
router bits will overpower your ability to hold onto
the workpiece during a climb cut.
Do not use this router table until you understand
proper feed direction and bit rotation. If climb
cutting is still unclear, ask your retailer for help,
give us a call, or reference a book on router table
usage.
CAUTION: NEVER CLIMB CUT!
Avoiding Fence Traps
Fence traps occur when the work piece is fully
"trapped" between the router bit and fence. Fence
traps pose two real concerns: the possibility of
climb feeding, and human exposure to the router
bit. As stated earlier, climb cutting should be avoid-
ed as loss of control of the operation is a possibility!
Figure 16 shows a classic trap to be avoided. What
appears as a normal feed direction (working from
right to left) is wrong, and will instead produce a
climb cut. Because the work piece is trapped it can
easily be pulled from one's grip and thrown with
great velocity. Feeding the stock from left to right
will eliminate the climb cut but not the danger. It
will be difficult to keep the stock tight against the
fence as the bit's rotation will thrust the stock away
from the fence. Also, your body will be dangerously
exposed to the spinning router bit. The bit guard
will not protect you against flying stock, nor guard
against this level of exposure.
Whereas Figure 17 is not a trap, as long as the
router bit cuts only partially into the stock. In other
words, the router bit must not completely cut
through the workpiece. In this cut, the bit will grab
and push the stock toward the fence. This is good,
as the fence will control the workpiece better than
your hands. Typical dado cuts resemble this set-up,
and are commonly performed on router tables. If
the dado is to be widened with two (or more) pass-
es, be careful not to set a classic trap or climb cut.