Kobalt K11RTA-03 Manual page 25

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS FOR ROUTER
Rate of Feed
The proper rate of feed depends on several factors: the hardness and moisture content of the
workpiece, the cutting depth, and the cutting diameter of the bit. Use a faster rate of feed when
cutting shallow grooves in soft woods, such as pine. Use a slower rate of feed when making
deep cuts in hardwoods, such as oak.
17. Feeding too quickly
Clean and smooth finished cuts can only be
achieved when the cutter bit is rotating at a
relatively high speed, taking very small bites and
producing tiny, clean-cut chips.
Forcing the feed of the cutter bit forward too quickly
slows the RPM of the cutter bit and the bit takes
larger bites as it rotates. Larger bites mean larger
chips and a rougher finish. This forcing action can
also cause the router motor to overheat.
Under extreme force-feeding conditions, the
rotation can become so slow and the bites so
large that chips are only partially cut off, causing
splintering and gouging of the workpiece.
The router will make clean, smooth cuts if it is allowed to run freely, without the overload of
forced feeding. Forced feeding can be detected by the sound of the motor. The usual high-
pitched whine will sound lower and stronger as it loses speed. Holding the router against the
workpiece will also become more difficult.
18. Feeding too slowly
When the cutter bit is fed too slowly, the rotating
cutter bit does not cut into new wood fast enough to
take a bite. Instead, it scrapes away sawdust-like
particles. This scraping produces heat, which can
glaze, burn, and mar the cut in the workpiece, and
in extreme cases, overheat the cutter bit.
When the cutter bit is scraping instead of cutting,
the router is more difficult to control.
With almost no load on the motor, the cutter bit has
a tendency to bounce off the sides of the cut in the
workpiece, producing a cut that has a rippled finish
instead of clean, straight sides.
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Feeding too quickly
18
Feeding too slowly
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