Craftsman 315.275061 Owner's Manual page 13

OPERATION
DEPTH OF CUT
As previously mentioned, the depth of cut is important be-
cause it affects the rate of feed which, in turn, affects the
quality of a cut (and, also, the possibilityof damage to your
router motor and bit). A deep cut requires a slower feed than
a shallow one, and a too deep cut willcause you toslow the
feed so much that the bit is no longer cutting, it is scraping,
instead.
Making a deep cut is never advisable. The smaller bits--
especially those only 1/16 inch in diameter -- are easily
broken off when subjected to too much side thrust. A large
enough bit may not be broken off, but if the cut is too deep a
roughcut willresult-- and it may be very difficulttoguide and
controlthe bit as desired, For these reasons, we recommend
that you do not exceed 1/8 inch depth of cut in a single pass,
regardless of the bit size or the softness or condition of the
workpiece. See Figure 16.
To make deeper cuts it is therefore necessary to make as
many successive passes as required, lowering the bit 1/8
inch for each new pass. In order to save time, do all the cutting
necessary at one depth setting, before loweringthe bit for the
next pass. This will also assure a uniform depth when the final
pass is completed, See Figure 17.
DIRECTION OF FEED AND THRUST
See Figure 18.
The router motor and bit revolve in a clockwise direction. This
gives the tool a slight tendency to twist (in your hands) in a
counterclockwise direction, especially when the motor revs
up (as at starting).
Because of the extremely high speed of bit rotation during a
"proper feeding" operation, there is very little kickback to
contend with under normal conditions. However, shouldthe
bit strike a knot, hard grain, foreign object, etc. that would
affect the normal progress of the cutting action, there will be
a slightkickback-- sufficientto spoilthe trueness of your cut
if you are not prepared. Such a kickback is always in the
direction opposite to the direction of bit rotation,
To guard against such a kickback, plan your set-up and
direction of feed so that you will always be thrustingthe tool
to hold it against whatever you are using to guide the cut
-- in the same direction that the leading edge of the bit is
moving. In short, the thrustshould be in a directionthat keeps
the sharp edges ofthe bit continuously biting straightintonew
(uncut) wood.
ROUTING
Whenever you are routing a groove, your travel should be in
a direction that places whatever guide you are using at the
dght-hand side. In short, when the guide is positioned as
shown in the first part of Figure 19, tool travel should be left
to right and counterclockwise around cu ryes. When the guide
is positioned as shown in the second part of Figure 19 tool
travel should be right to left and c{ockwise around curves. If
there is a choice, the first set-up is generally the easiest to
usa. In either case. the sideways thrust you use is against the
guide.
Page 13
DEPTH _OF CUT
_UT V/////A,,I Fig,16
2ND. PASS
°
ROUTER FEED
DIRECTION "
I.U
I /T
ROUT I H.B_tA_'_TJUO. ] __ | o ==-
END
__
GRAINS
FIRST
_ BIT
ROUTER FEED ROTATION
DIRECTION
GUIDE OUTSIDE
GUIDE FEED
ROTA__
THRUST'J_=_ FEED
GUIDEINSIDE
Fig. 18
Fig. 19