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Routing Small Stock
Feeding small stock past the router bit increases
the risk of kickback from the workpiece slipping
into the space between the fence and bit. If you
must rout small stock, use a zero-clearance fence
board. This will provide greater protection for the
operator, better workpiece support, and reduced
tearout on narrow or fragile stock.
To make a zero-clearance fence:
1.
DISCONNECT MACHINE FROM POWER!
2.
Remove infeed/outfeed fences from fence
base.
3.
Select piece of straight, smooth stock that is
same height and thickness as infeed/outfeed
fences and approximately 36" long.
4.
Cut outline of spindle and router bit from cen-
ter of the stock selected in Step 3, as shown
in Figure 41.
Note: Make outline as close as possible to
router bit and spindle without interfering with
rotation.
5.
Create countersunk mounting holes in zero-
clearance fence board (see Figure 41) to
secure new fence and router bit guard to
base.
Wood stock
cut out profile
of cutter & spindle
Figure 41. Example of a zero-clearance fence
board.
-24-
Countersunk
holes
Mount with
flat head screws
ALWAYS use hold-downs or featherboards
and push sticks when shaping small or
narrow stock. These devices keep your
hands away from spinning router bit and
sufficiently support stock to allow a safe
and effective cut, reducing risk of personal
injury.
6.
Secure zero-clearance fence board and
router bit guard to fence base, then make
sure fence is parallel with table T-slot (see
Aligning Fence & Table on Page 21).
7.
Check for proper clearance, connect router
table to power, then make test cut to verify
results.
Free-Hand Routing
Irregular or free-hand routing takes a high degree
of skill and dexterity and is done without the pro-
tection and aid of the fence and router bit guard.
The most dangerous part of free-hand routing is
beginning the cut, when the router bit first con-
tacts the workpiece. It tends to jerk or kick back,
presenting an injury hazard to the operator.
Free-hand or irregular routing greatly
increases the chance that the operator may
lose control of the workpiece, which could
result in serious personal injury. Therefore,
a starting pin or block and a custom guard
or workpiece holding jig MUST be used.
Model T31636 (Mfd. Since 02/20)
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