07-11-2012, 04:22 PM
Not that I'm paranoid about routers & workshop safety, but I've seen two extraordinarily messy and unpleasant accidents in my time, and one of them was with a router...
We've covered dust, and clamping, but there are basics around tooling...
Please make sure you cut AWAY from yourself and with the edge of the tool biting first, i.e as the tool rotates clockwise (looking from the tool's shank or motor end), if you are cutting the left edge of the work-piece you'd be pushing the router away from you - this is also the reason you should cut circles etc. anti-clockwise when using a hand-held router. (The rules change when using a table because the router is upside-down and may have a fence, but that's not appropriate here)
Always use TWO hands to hold the router FIRMLY - be warned if holding the work-piece in a workmate or similar - if the cutter grabs, it'll happily chuck the workmate around or try to rip the router out of your hands. Either clamp to a bench or if using a workmate, use two hands firmly on the router and kneel on the workmate to anchor it. This is OK-ish for 1/4" routers, but 1/2" are beasts and should be treated with utmost respect.
Keep the power cord well out of the way - I generally keep it behind me and run it over my shoulder so it doesn't snag on anything - you don't need distractions...
Whatever happens, remember you have an unprotected razor-sharp tool spinning at up to 20,000 or so RPM with no "dead-man's-handle" - i.e.. generally, if you let go, it doesn't stop - be careful... Good routers have a "soft-start" that reduces the turn-on-torque but after switch-off they are still dangerous for a good few seconds as they spin-down. Also, after a cut, the bit may be VERY hot for several minutes - always be careful.
Never, ever, try to use a 1/2" router and/or big bits hand-held (unless you really know what you are doing) - that's when you need to get a proper table (or to make one).
Practice with some scrap wood first, gently... if cutting thin stock, use a sacrificial bit of scrap under it to provide support and to limit tear-out.
Apologies if this is all unwelcome ramblings or "teaching Grandma to suck eggs" - I just hate to see people get hurt!
We've covered dust, and clamping, but there are basics around tooling...
Please make sure you cut AWAY from yourself and with the edge of the tool biting first, i.e as the tool rotates clockwise (looking from the tool's shank or motor end), if you are cutting the left edge of the work-piece you'd be pushing the router away from you - this is also the reason you should cut circles etc. anti-clockwise when using a hand-held router. (The rules change when using a table because the router is upside-down and may have a fence, but that's not appropriate here)
Always use TWO hands to hold the router FIRMLY - be warned if holding the work-piece in a workmate or similar - if the cutter grabs, it'll happily chuck the workmate around or try to rip the router out of your hands. Either clamp to a bench or if using a workmate, use two hands firmly on the router and kneel on the workmate to anchor it. This is OK-ish for 1/4" routers, but 1/2" are beasts and should be treated with utmost respect.
Keep the power cord well out of the way - I generally keep it behind me and run it over my shoulder so it doesn't snag on anything - you don't need distractions...
Whatever happens, remember you have an unprotected razor-sharp tool spinning at up to 20,000 or so RPM with no "dead-man's-handle" - i.e.. generally, if you let go, it doesn't stop - be careful... Good routers have a "soft-start" that reduces the turn-on-torque but after switch-off they are still dangerous for a good few seconds as they spin-down. Also, after a cut, the bit may be VERY hot for several minutes - always be careful.
Never, ever, try to use a 1/2" router and/or big bits hand-held (unless you really know what you are doing) - that's when you need to get a proper table (or to make one).
Practice with some scrap wood first, gently... if cutting thin stock, use a sacrificial bit of scrap under it to provide support and to limit tear-out.
Apologies if this is all unwelcome ramblings or "teaching Grandma to suck eggs" - I just hate to see people get hurt!
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