Pardon my ignorance if this is a dumb question, but I am just starting to use my router in more advanced ways and I’ve discovered a limitation that I’d like confirmation on.
I have a Bosch 1617evs router and set of router bits I got at woodcraft.
I wanted to do some pattern routing using a guide bushing but one of the things i’m noticing is that when I attach the bushing to the router subbase, the extended depth of the guide ends up “eating” so much of the bit that a half inch or so (sometimes less) of bit is usable.
My boss says that its okay to chuck less of the bit’s shank into the router to bring it out more, but from what few mentions of this I’ve read it seems unsafe.
Is it? And if so how does one get full use of their router bits along with a guide (I suppose you could still use them for routing roundovers, grooves etc.) I havent seen to many bits yet that have longer shanks than the ones im using….
Your thoughts on the matter would be appreciated.
Replies
Would not put less than 1" of the shank in the collet.
Shorten the collars, easy to saw and sand off the burr.
3/16 -5/16 collar extension is sufficient.
Routers
Take the Collet off the router and measure the "squeezing" part, And always put at least that much router shank into it plus 1/8". Guide bushings can be shortened to between 1/4" and 3/8". Another solution is to use thicker templates and longer router bits.
Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!
Bruce S.
"a half inch or so (sometimes less) of bit is usable." What brand and type of bit (e.g., straight bit?) are you trying to use?
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Yes, get a bit with a longer cutter.
Big Frank,
"Learning" can be a pain. "Doing" is much less frustrating. I am going through the same process you are in trying to use the router to do a wider variety of things. I looked at a lot of books, and settled on Bill Hylton's books: "Router Magic" and "Woodworking with the Router". There are a lot of router books out there, and they are probably all good, but those two struck a chord with me. I like Hylton's style. The two books cover an awful lot, including which bits to use on various tasks, and using guide bushings. You can get the two books "used" on Amazon cheaply.
You got some advice from some heavy hitters, so my advice as a serious hobbyist, should take second or third place (or lower). You were concerned about not inserting the bit all the way. Two things come to mind.
1) If something feels unsafe, it is best not to do it. I believe you were right in asking for further advice there.
2) Never put the bit in "all the way". Insert it all the way, and then pull it up a sixteenth or so. I have read that if the bit is at the bottom, it has the tendency to vibrate loose. I read in Hylton's book that a good tactic is to buy some inch rubber O-rings at the local hardware store and put them around your bits so that they go down "all the way except for the last sixteenth of an inch". It works well.
You got good advice on grinding your bushings to a shorter height. THree of the respondents have figured that if you are only getting to use a small portion of the bit, it must be a short bit. I can't figure out anything else that would cause that. Why don't you post more info on the bit you are using, and on the length of the guide bushing.
You know, your local library surely has a few router books. Why not check them all out. That way you can find which one you like and then buy one to keep around the shop.
In my continuing quest to learn more about routers, I have found that reading Pat Warner's website and books is very thought-provoking. I believe he goes by the name of Routerman on Knots. He takes positions which are contrary to what many others do (eg he doesn't like plungers under a router table, and he likes to attach the router directly to the table top rather than to a baseplate which is then routed into the tabletop. He really makes you think, and he really focuses on precision and control. Check his writings out.
Please let me know how all of this turns out. I too am trying to learn what the router can safely do, and I'll follow this thread.
Enjoy,
Mel
Measure your output in smiles per board foot.
Hi Frank,
Are you using the Bosch guide bushings, or are you using the Bosch adaptor with the threaded Porter-Cable guide bushings?
-Jazzdogg-
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
Using the Bosch guide bushings. And the router bits I am using are Woodcraft router bits (don't know how makes them for them) - the shanks all seem to be the same size.
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled