Depth Adjustment With The Plunge Base; Deep Cuts - Craftsman 320.27683 Operator's Manual

3. With the cutter bit already installed, press in the Coarse Adjustment Knob (B)
and lower the motor into the base until the cutter bit is very close to the flat
surface on which the base is sitting. Turn the Fine Adjustment Dial (C) until
the cutter bit "just" touches the flat surface on which the base is sitting. Then
lock the Motor Clamp (A).
4. While continuing to press the Coarse Adjustment Knob (B), turn the Fine
Adjustment Dial (C) until the zero "0" mark on the Depth Indicator Ring (D) is
lined up with the 'T' mark on the base.
5. Release the Coarse Adjustment Knob(B), making sure that the "0" stays lined
up with the mark.
6. Place the router on two level scrap workpieces, positioned so that the cutter
bit can be lowered below the sub-base (see Fig. 7).
7. Turn the Fine Adjustment Dial (C) clockwise to lower the bit to the desired
depth of cut. Turn the dial counterclockwise to raise the cutter bit.
8. Once your depth of cut is set, close the motor clamp (A) securely.
NOTE: Making a single deep cut is never advisable. Smaller diameter cutter
bits are easily broken by too much side thrust and torque. Larger cutter bits will
cause a rough cut and be difficult to guide and control. For these reasons, do
not exceed 1/8-in. depth of cut in a single pass.
Deep Cuts
The proper cutting depth (for each pass), is always determined by the material,
the cutter bit size and type, and the power of the motor.
Always make several progressively deeper cuts by starting at one depth and
then making several passes, each time increasing the cutting depth until your
desired depth is reached.
Making a cut that is too deep will stress the motor and the cutter bit, and it
may burn the workpiece and dull the cutter bit. It could also "grab" too much
of the workpiece and cause you to lose control of the router, causing a serious
accident.
To be certain that your depth settings are correct, always make test cuts in
scrap material similar to your workpiece before beginning your final cutting.
Remember, knowing the right depth for each cut comes with routing experience.
DEPTH ADJUSTMENT WiTH THE PLUNGE BASE
a WARNING: Your router should never turned on or be connected to the
power source when you are assembling parts, making adjustments, installing
or removing collets/nuts or cutter bits, cleaning or when it is not in use.
Disconnecting the router will prevent accidental starting, which could cause
serious personal injury.
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