Issues when Using Router on Ash

Some thoughts:

take several shallow passes

start routing from the other end of the board

try a higher quality bit (Whiteside is my favorite)

-- " I'll try to be nicer, if you'll try to be smarter" gfadvm

gfadvm,
Thanks for the advice.

I actually took a couple of passes for the one on the left and it turned out pretty good, but I am trying to get a process down so I can mass produce something so I’m attempting to cut out as many steps as possible.

-- www.heritageclothespins.com

My guess, grain orientation is causing tearout- change the direction of feed. You can see where the router blade would just love to chunk out the open grain on those ridges.

What are you fluting the face of the boards, anyway ?

BLarge,

Thanks for the suggestion.

I am making clothespins. As a result, I need to go across the grain in order to come out with stronger pins.

-- www.heritageclothespins.com

I would NEVER have guessed clothespins!!!

-- " I'll try to be nicer, if you'll try to be smarter" gfadvm

It’s hard to find quality clothespins these days so I’m making my own.

-- www.heritageclothespins.com

You are correct about quality clothes pins. Actually, you have to make your own to get quality in about anything. I bought a router bit for making dados in some plywood. It was a Bosch and I thought it would be a decent bit but it chipped and burned from the beginning. I ordered another bit from Rockler and it was great. I am not promoting Rockler but I am saying I really thought the Bosch would have been as good if not better but not so. Always take your cuts just like you read. Left to right . watch your speed and get that adjusted. Select the right boards for the project.
Have you tried a different kind of hardwood to see what happens with the same setup?

Grandpa,

Thanks for the advice. I will look at another source for bits to see if a change would help.

I initially tried walnut to get the process down since I had some on hand. It turned out a little better, but I still had some of the same results.

I prefer ash since it does not have tannin in it. Maple is another option that does not have tannin, but it is more expensive. If I used another type of wood, it could result in stained clothes.

-- www.heritageclothespins.com

You are correct. stains would be good. What about beech?

Do you have the speed set as fast as possible?

-- Bill M. "People change, walnut doesn't" by Gene.

Maybe try a different wood. Any of the ring porous hardwoods are going to be prone to chip out. I think you wood get better results w/ birch.

-- Bondo Gaposis

1/4”shank router bits vibrate a lot more than 1/2” shank ,if your using 1/4” shank and can switch try that,if not I agree with taking several shallow passes.

-- http://artisticwoodstudio.com Custom furniture