Router basics needed

How about a great DVD Router magic buy Charles Neil . Try using pine or poplar something a little easier to practice with. If you can take lite cuts and sneak up on it that helps. also to help avoid tear out use a back up board to help prevent tear out.

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon

Jim….Thanks for the suggestions. I will see if I can find the DVD and am wanting to try the softer woods before I finally give up. I don’t like the idea of a machine getting the best of me. How to you do lite cuts if it is a bit that is a “corner / miter” ?

Any chance there is a Woodcraft near by? They have an introduction to router class that would be good intro.

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

You said the bits were new. Are they good quality bits or one of the big “kits” of bits. Using good quality sharp bits helps a lot.

When routing, always route counter clockwise on the outside of the board (round overs, champhers, flush trimming, etc.) and clockwise if cutting on the inside (think of making a cutout for a kitchen sink, go CW) This doesn’t really help with dovetails now but still …

cc

-- Chunk

try to put the router in a table its alot easier than handheld plus all the other sugestions too the best thing to do is read a book on how to use them try at the library they have some books that i see listed for sale in woodworking stores and bookclubs i just picked up on on finishing myself tring to get that asspect of woodworking down i hate finishing. but if u add the router to your arsenal of woodworking skillz u will see that there is no way to go without one in any project cuz u will want to use it more and more well keep us posted on your progress?

-- Ike, Big Daddies Woodshop,www.icombadaniels@yahoo.com

Wayne….Yes I have a woodcraft within about fifteen to twenty miles thanks for the tip.

Chunk…I have tried a Bosch bit as well as a Skill bit (questionable quality ?) , but I have also used the Rockler and a whiteside bit….........still don’t get it…..except the frustration that I definetly get !

I get the impression that this guy is really knowledgeable about router usage.

http://www.patwarner.com/

I bought his Router Book, and find it QUITE helpful.

I also find using a router table to be significantly easier than free-hand routing—at least for now.

Best of luck!

-- -- Neil

Mike
Always remember you tube is your friend. I think you might find some of the videos listed here useful

-- criticism: the art of analyzing and evaluating the quality of a artistic work...

thewoodwhisperer just posted a great video, in which he routes some sliding dovetail joints. The basic point of the video was to remove as much material with your table saw as you can in order to make the cuts easier on the router.

I’ve found that multiple passes are my friend. It takes 3-4x longer to do a simple router job, but it prevents a lot of problems – such as tearout and chipping. Also, I use painters tape or a sacrificial piece of wood (or both) whenever possible to avoid blowing out the exit side of the cut. Finally, I will use the router just a little bit in the “incorrect” direction in order to stop blowout on edges – especially on the end grain.

Hmmmm…..lets see. I’m not familiar with a DeWalt collet system. I have found out the hard way that some collet systems are not universal. Check your DeWalt book on how your bits seat in the collet. You might have to use DeWalt bits…. shouldn’t matter though. Hard to imagine a boogered collet. Plenty of power, you shouldn’t have to “sneak” up on any cuts. There is a bit guide used for dovetails….. goes squirrelly without one. But, troubleshoot, practice, work the bugs out on scrap first…. free-handing a router on projects is the only way to go.

hey mike well no one seems to have pointed this out but you did say you were using the incra jig. my question is this did you buy the extra templet book and are you following the directions to the letter. i have to admit it took me a little while before i was makeing dovetails like a pro with the jig but once you figure it out it is a great tool to have

-- I buy tools so i can make more money,so ican buy more tools so I can work more, to make more money, so I can buy more tool, so I can work more

I’m just asking, but didn’t the Incra jig come with a video CD? I’m almost certain that Incra sends a CD with all of their jigs. There are a few tricks to using Incra stuff and practicing with plywood scraps will help you raise your skill level. Also, remember BACKER BOARDS, BACKER BOARDS, BACKER BOARDS. Nothing will stop tearout from occurring, but you can reduce it to a minimum.
I concur with Jimi_C, the wood-whispers video is one you should watch. Also, you may wanto read this article, it may help you wrap your head around making dovetails. http://www.newwoodworker.com/dovetails.html

-- Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy-May all your dovetails fit tight and right the first time

Mike, here is another site that also may help you. http://www.woodshopdemos.com/dts-incra-1.htm

-- Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy-May all your dovetails fit tight and right the first time

Hello Mike, when i got my router in 1970, I felt the same as you do. I was told by my Father at that time to just start with edge cuts, and dado and just learn all i could. at the same i was gaining confidence. I got all the information i could, and i read something, and idid it over. and if i didn’t have it right, i wrked untill i did. I learned a lot. You might check out the router workshop. They go over the basics of different process. Also Router Forum is dedicated to helpin you when its not right. Check them out.

-- Saved, and so grateful, consider who Created it ALL!!!

Start out with small cuts and lower the bit after each pass, multiple passes especially on hard wood, cut your end grain first and then the long grain that will reduce tear out on the ends. Watch your motor speed, larger bits need to go slower. Smooth action, if you hesitate you could end up with burn marks, if you do, lower the bit just a little and make one final pass to smooth out the cut and take out the burns. You tube has a lot of info on it.

-- Z Rockwall, TX

Check out your local library, they might have a book or two that you could read to get some more info.

-- don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things