OK, guys, I finally pulled the 1.5HP Porter Cable out of the router table and replaced it with a Freud 3.25HP plunge router.
So, will my feed techique change? Can I feed faster and faster and faster? (Just kidding). What difference(s) can I expect with just regular edging or straight bits?
forestgirl — you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can’t take the forest out of the girl 😉
Another proud member of the “I Rocked With ToolDoc Club” …. :>)
Replies
The only real difference I have found using a 3+hp router compared to a smaller one is that you can hog-off more material during one pass. If I'm looking for the best surface, I still make my last pass while only taking a 64th or so off the material.
Jamie,
I don't think you will notice much difference. The bits will be the same, the speed will be the same, unless you have variable speed, the cut will still be determined by the stock, the profile and depth of cut. The notable difference will be with large bits like panel raisers. The bigger router will have the power to keep them turning. Sort of like pulling a heavy boat up the launch ramp with a little truck or a big four wheeler. You can't go any faster, but the strain will be much less on the equipment.
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
Forestgirl,
When I switched from the PC 2 hp plunge to the 3 1/2 PC speedmatic, I noticed an improvement in the quality of the cut, especially in Maple. I believe that with practice you can really 'feel' what the proper feed rate can be. Unless I'm running a couple thousand feet of moulding, which I would use my W & H moulder or shaper for, I'm never to worried about the feed rate as much as I am the quality of the finished cut.
I think you'll notice an improvement in the quality of your mouldings.
Jeff
No great difference except in using large diameter bits.You are't even using its best feature ,the plunge movement in a router table.IMO keep the old router in the table(if it is still OK) and use the new one freehand and in the table with large cutters.We find that the router in the table goes through bearings more often than in conventional use so have one that we can replace bearings for $15 and half an hour work.We do however run the table for an hour or two at a time in the shop and on site
Hi Jako. I'm fortunate to have a PC plunge router also, so that's why I was willing to dedicate the Freud to the router table. The Freud's so darned heavy and powerful, and does not have soft start, so it's kinda hard for me to use it hand-held.
I've gotta go through that PC plunge though. It's real, real sticky. Not much fun to use right now.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
I have a PC 3 1/4 plunge router and find the plunge really rough.Be VERY careful if you open the spring assembly to sort it .On mine the springs, uncompressed are very long and when they came loose it was a sight to behold.Lucky for me they missed my face and I did get to see them dissappear into the depths.Just be warned I was expecting something, but not such violence.
Is this a trick question?
Nope. I knew I'd not have time to try the Freud out for a couple days (busy weekend) so was curious what the differences might be. I've never used a router that size before. forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
When table mounted, a fast feed rate can be obtained by feeding left-to-right. Give it a try and report back.
Make sure your bits are definitely sharp when you start. With the extra HP, if they catch, look out! If you'll be using a crank for adjusting the cutter height, it should be OK. Getting under there with two hands with spring loading and trying to change the ht is not my favorite activity. Go slow and, like anything else, get to know the differences. Let us know how it works.
"I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."
"a fast feed rate can be obtained by feeding left-to-right. Give it a try and report back"
DJK, are you sure you meant to say that?
Unless I'm misunderstanding you, that sounds suspiciously like a climb cut described in typical inverted router operations whether using a rear fence or something like a top bearing pattern cutting bit.
The climb cut used with powerful inverted routers is likely to pull an operators hands into the rotating bit and I countenance people against attempting it for that reason.
Perhaps you meant to say something else and what you wrote just came out wrong? It happens to all of us from time to time. Slainte.RJFurniture
That is what I meant to say. Been doing this woodworking stuff for 41 years. Was beeing sarcastic. She asked about a faster feed rate. Perform a climb cut and see how fast it will self feed. Silly questions get silly answers.
Pretty bloody stupid dumbass thing to say then, DJK.
Not everyone's been around this game as long as you and I, and inexperienced amateurs can get into a mess in a hurry following crappy jocular suggestions such as the one you put up.
Sorry to be blunt, an' all that-- well, not sorry at all really. Slainte.RJFurniture
Thank you for your opinion.DJK
"Silly questions get silly answers." Five different people had constructive answers to my general question. You simply had a smart-#### comment that could get someone scared sh$tlss or seriously hurt. Falls on a rung well below "silly" IMHO.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
Yes it is a smart @#% answer, glad we both agree.Remember back when you asked about making some sort of plunge cut on the tablesaw. You had two picts and asked what to do. Silly question.Not long ago you told us many times about the over priced laminate trimmer purchased at auction. You asked "what do you use this thing for". Now in a recent post " I find it very convenient to have it". What made me laugh is when someone was welcoming a new KnotHead and said " and there is Forestgirl who knows everything about every machine made". That still makes me laugh.With the amount of info you dispense, a new member might think you were a veteran WW or the assistant to Sam Malof. Much of what you say has no experience to back it up, it's just hearsay.I guess if it's on the web it must be true.Ever wonder what happend to all the professional woodworkers that contributed here in the past. Some have passed on in life but others I suspect don't bother posting, maybe they are also having a laugh.I'm sure to get blasted for bashing the "queen of knots", so be it
DJK, You know someone could have taken your suggestion seriously and could have lost lost a few fingers. Since you knew that, you should have been expecting to get jumped on. For you to now try to deflect any of the fault onto FG, makes it sound like you may be suffering from "short hammer handle syndrome" to me."I'm sorry", would have been in much better taste......... Keith
Thank you for you thoughts. Powertools are dangerous even if used correctly. DJK
Darn it DJK! Now you went and gave Forest Girl another opportunity to vent and show off her superior ethics again. And no doubt her sycophantic enablers will chime in as well. Oy. We should all know better by now! Never ever say a cross word to or about Forest Girl, no matter what the provocation. It's always your fault!
Then let me choose a side.I'm also a "pro" whatever that means. I make my money as a woodworker using my skills. Not a "master" probably more like "journeyman" level. But with no evaluation system in the USA that stuff doesn't mean much.What the hell is your problem with FG? The posts I've seen from her have been courteous and usually helpful. Or at least that seems to be her motivation.Jumping on someone for their contributions is pretty lame. OK, so she hasn't been at it for forty years, big deal. A lot of people read this forum, including a lot of newbies. "Jokingly" suggesting an improper technique is not helpful. FG has enough knowledge to know you were being a wise-####, someone else might not. Since this is a general woodworking forum its not too cool to be posting that kind of stuff. Its different than sitting in the shop during break with other pro's that know just as much as you.
Edited 4/25/2005 4:07 pm ET by adastra
As a relative newbie who built a first router table a few months ago, I was wondering about feed direction after reading some of these comments. And was visualising changing my feed direction in some projects to avoid tear out etc. Or at least wondering if maybe I'm not aware of some particular technique. Glad I picked up it was sarcasm before things went pear shaped.People on this forum come from hugely different backgrounds and experience levels. Some of you guys / gals are real pros and I read your posts with admiration / and appreciation for sharing your knowledge. I think it would be wise to never assume that some comments in jest are not taken seriously by some of us woodworking neanderthals.It saddens me when I see vitriol enter into discussions where people are only wanting share info with fellow woodworkers. Down here in Oz we also have a WW forum and there is a fair amount of "sarcasm" but always well meant. I tune into your forum because some of the WW advice is leading edge stuff. But have noticed some people can get pretty "personal". Is there something different in the water up there?Richard
OZ is where? Yes the water is different. Everyone must take responsibitly for their actions. With that said, just because it's on the web doesn't mean it's true. If you always believe what people tell you, your in trouble. Woodwoking with power tools even hand tools is dangerous, Tauton says so in every issue. So if you blindly follow a suggestion, trouble may insue. DJK
DJK brings up a good point. I always evaluate the advice/information I get about woodworking (or anything else for that matter) for b*lls*it. I usually seek corroboration from another source and look at it to see if it makes sense. Much as you did apparently. You caught the error of climb cutting, whether from sarcasm or otherwise. I suspect your brain was well engaged. Caution should extend beyond the shop walls. The computer is just another tool to be careful with. Keep in mind that the most dangerous place in the world is the library. ;-)
Climb cutting is not an error but a tecnique. I climb cut often. It's written about in every magazine and router book. If someone uses a router acording to advice on the web and gets hurt, who's at fault, who do they blame?Someone asks" how narrow of a rip can I make without a push stick?" Some say 2" some 4" some may say 24". So if they loose a finger at say 5" they blame it on the info they received. Some of these people need a gut check and think for their self.Get the info and think about it.DJKNo joke!Man, I'm wond tite today, Better fire up the 20 PM 221 planer ( all 2800lbs of it ) and hog some lumber
Edited 4/27/2005 3:35 pm ET by DJK
Thanks Tony. I've learnt to be very alert and respectful around power tools / machinery. And usually think 4 or 5 times about doing something "new" that I'm not sure about. Also I've had some good "hands on" training help from some local furniture makers down here in SW Australia. Also, I worked my whole career in the oil industry where safety issues were numero uno. So I've probably got a better than even chance of not doing something stupid.But that said, I bet all of us doing woodworking, pro's and novices, have had some "surprising" experiences that taught us more in a nano second than lots of "safety lessons". Mainly that you really do need to know what you're doing. And if you're not sure, don't do it. But sometimes a post will suggest something that I'm not familiar with, so I'll consider it. In this case, I was actually wondering (for a LITTLE while) about feed direction. But maybe someone else might have gone ahead and actually tried it. So caution should be exercised by both the reader and poster in these forums....Regards,Richard
Good to hear back from you. If one can look at their hands and still count to ten at the end of the day, then you're doing fine!
As DJK rightly points out, sometimes climb cutting is necessary. It works but be extra careful.
I find most of the dangerous situations I get into are from trying to get something done when I don't really have the proper tool. Creating reproductions of 19th century crown moldings with a table saw come to mind. I would have rather ground knives for a molding machine but my little shop doesn't have such a thing. So it was successive angled cuts pushed obliquely through the saw. A dangerous but useful technique described in countless 'Magic of your table saw" type books. I can still count to ten and haven't really ever had to go to the hospital except once I went in for a week because of a splinter! No stitches required yet after 30 plus years. In retrospect it would have been safer to make molding planes to cut the crown molding but I didn't have time. Time can always add pressure that is detrimental to one's safety.
Obviously, with your work history, you know about safety. And most 'newbies' know a lot more than they think.
I think it happens when people spend too much time in these forums!! They have to get out and cut more wood. They wouldn't be that nasty then I think. Works for me anyway.
Woodhead,There is something different in the water up here. So different that our water drains anti-clockwise.Its called being an American, we sometimes are more interested in being right than doing what's right. Although it could be a culturally universal male trait.And DJK is right, climb cutting is a technique that is useful but not recommended for newbies as things can get out of control.I'll leave FG to defend herself, she is quite capable. My issue had more to do with jumping on someone that is active and helpful on this forum. But I am new as well and don't know the whole history here. Its just been my impression with her posts and her involvement with Knotsfest stuff that her kind of enthusiasm should be encouraged to keep the messageboard vital. She has seemed willing to debate in a civilized way as far as I can tell.Trying to humiliate someone isn't the best way to keep a discussion moving.Are you in Australia or New Zealand? I've always wanted to visit that part of the world.
Calling someone names and defining who and what they are is not civilized debate and does not follow any of Robert's rules of order for that matter. Perhaps you ought to re-read this chain. and re judge who was civilized and who wasn't.
I'm not that worried about it. I don't expect to change DJK's or your opinion or anyone else's.I don't think DJK is a bad person. I just don't agree with the way DJK responded and called it out. I know where I stand and why and am OK with it.
Thats about it. Now can we talk about woodworking?
Adastra, I'm in SW Australia. About 200 miles south of Perth. Retired from the oil industry 6 years ago and built a woodwork shop on a farm. Have been soaking up as much knowledge as I can since then. Watching others, working with others, nightschool at the local highschool, WW shows and WW magazines. And lots of trial & error. Such that I'm finally making some reasonable stuff. Then I discovered WW forums about 5 months ago. I'm really appreciative of a mechanism where I can hit a problem one day, post a query, and have 10 answers by the next day. Often from others who have worked through exactly what I'm dealing with. It's amazing. Also I find answers to things I've often wondered about without actually asking the question. That people, especially experienced woodworkers, freely offer their time to the forum speaks well of the woodworking fraternity. I think there's a lot of passion involved for us newbie / part timer woodworkers. Maybe for all woodworkers. (Do you know of any "Plumbing" forums, for example!) And there are people with passionate / welcoming personalities who love to give help and encouragement. Forest Girl, among others, is that kind of asset. So it's dissappointing to see any kind of ill-will creep in. Everyone can defend there technical opinions to the utmost, but it would be better if things did not get personal. Regards,Richard
I'm new to the forums as well. About a month into it.I used to work in a furniture shop with about 15 other builders. Very diverse group. Folks from Russia, Tibet, Mexico, Taiwan, as well as all over the USA. Great experience. This was up in the Pacific Northwest. I'm in the Midwest now, near Kansas City.Found that I had a great communication with the fellow from Tibet even though his English was limited. But we both built chairs and had a very similar approach to building and use of jigs. So we worked very well together which I really enjoyed. We built the same language so to speak.The forums have replaced the coworkers to a large extent since I went solo. Have picked up some great ideas and sources from Knots and others. But it can be bit prickly at times.Woodworking is a wonderful thing, I still love it even though it is a job now. But I'm doing all I can to keep building for pleasure.Hope to travel to Australia some day. Back in college I studied biology and have always had a fascination with the fauna of Australia.Be safe in the shop. Sounds like a nice setup you have.
DJK,I find your comments irresponsible, your belligerence unwarranted, and arrogance disgusting. I, on the other hand, have found forestgirl's participation on this forum to be helpful, intelligent, and courteous. Say goodbye to any friends.
I didn't know we are ( were ) friends.ByeDJK
DJK: What you do not know is that when a Knothead, new or otherwise, mistakes me for a professional woodworker, I generally correct them either on the boards or via email. Can't say I've done it every single time, but certainly more often than not.
I have never, as far as I can recollect, made a plunge cut on a table saw other than when making a zero clearance insert. The difficulty of making one at 45* for bevelled cuts on a contractors saw is well-known and certainly a question that will come up every year.
The amount of time you spend memorizing things to be judgmental about could be spent more beneficially elsewhere, I'm sure.
There are certain areas that I contribute to, and many I don't because I don't have the knowledge or practical experience. I'll let others speak to what value they think I have or have not brought to the boards, but your opinion means absolutely nothing to me. You don't recognize tongue-in-cheek when you see it, you post irresponsibly just to make a mean point, and you get your knickers in a knot (pun intended) over someone who tries in her own way to make Knots a welcoming place to one and all. forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
I was under the impression that those of us without a large amount of experience under our belts were encouraged to answer the somewhat repetitive, but important, questions posed by newcomers. This is a good place for us to do it, since it takes some of the burden off the experts, but they're likely to correct us if (when) we say something stupid. I really don't see the point of attack and ridicule here. If you think what someone said is boring, ignore it. If it sounds dangerous, please correct it. If you have something to add, go ahead.Forestgirl: This post was not meant as an answer to you, but you had spoken last. I've learned from your questions and answers, even if I don't agree with every statement you've ever made.
Thanks to all that replied.DJK
Point well taken, I'll retract some of my post.I was a little tweaked when I posted. Mocking someone that asks a question in a discussion forum is a pet peeve of mine.
Mocking someone that asks a question in a discussion forum is a pet peeve of mine.??
I do that all the time???
Yeah, but you get away with it. Mostly. ;)Be well.
I don't think that DJK was being an a$$. I knew that he was kidding. It is possible that a newbie could have taken him seriously, but if they didn't know better I doubt they would even understand what he was saying.
I climbcut all the time, when I shave, or trim trees.
Mikeplease excuse my spelling.
Yeah I think you're right. I saw the joke right away. F-girl said "You don't recognize tongue-in-cheek when you see it" to DJK. It seems to me she didn't get the joke. Hmmmm- I'm gonna go out and try routing a round over on the side of my ladder while climbing up it and while climbing down it to see which is faster. Oh no --- wait wait THAT WAS A JOKE OKAY EVERYONE??? I didn't really mean it.
Thank you for makiing it clear it is a joke. It does sound like a good thecnique. I bet it's faster comming down, after all time is money. I'll use my laminate trimmer, no waite maybe the RE-600 3.5hp router. The extra mass will help stabalize me on the way down. Infact use two routers at a time, we do have two hands.DISCLAMER:
NO this is not a joke.DJK
Right, if you make a mistake; it was just a joke.If I ever forget to tell someone I am instructing to not tuck their thumb while using power saws I'll just tell them it was a joke. They should have known, I mean its obvious. It wasn't that FG wouldn't have known. She likely would have, but some greenie reading it might have thought it was a technique they hadn't heard of and tried it.But if the group hops in then suddenly its the thought police. I still think an open web forum is different than around the break table where you know the skillset of the group. I guess we'll just disagree on this.
Hey joke or not -- that's not what bothered me. What bothered me were the "you" statements that were flying around.
Such as:
"You don't recognize tongue-in-cheek when you see it, you post irresponsibly just to make a mean point, and you get your knickers in a knot ..." etc.
It seems more like personal attack than cordial discourse. I understand the point about maybe a joke not being seen as such - everybody has their own sense of humor- but I feel compelled to defend folks who are attacked in this forum in this way.
I understand the limitations of written communication and will hereby post notification when I am kidding.
I am kidding
"It seems more like personal attack than cordial discourse. " Uhhhhhhhh, Tony.......what's-his-face's comments to me weren't exactly "cordial discourse." Perhaps you missed the post where I was assigned responsibility for the disintegration of the civilized world. I was simply letting him know how much value I put on the judgments he had passed.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
Actually he didn't do that. You are resorting to hyperbole which is part of the problem.
OK, point taken. I'm still getting used to forum communication.There is quite a bit lost with only text.I think this issue has run its course, on to more productive topics.
Wow! I am impressed! Points seem to be rarely accepted or understood here.
In this forum I have noticed a true Piranha mentality. When one person starts an attack there are a whole lot of people who like to join in. I, myself, at times, have been sucked in by this phenomenon. I also note that there are usually one or two who always seem to start this sort of discourse.
No matter what the provocation, I would prefer that those who sit in judgement of all who post here to keep their thoughts to themselves if they can't refrain from such vulgar ( in the classic sense) displays of their own inadequacies.
"It seems more like personal attack than cordial discourse. " Uhhhhhhhh, Tony.......what's-his-face's comments to me weren't exactly "cordial discourse." Perhaps you missed the post where I was assigned responsibility for the disintegration of the civilized world. I was simply letting him know how much value I put on the judgments he had passed.FG: Am I what's his face? Never said anything about the civilized world but here at knots you have quite a few groupies that agree with every silly word you say. You should read some of the stuff you post, total jibberish. This forum is run by Tauton with their rules NOT YOURS. You have your thoughts and others have theirs and untill Tauton says otherwise we ALL have the privalidge to post. In the last couple of years you seem to have imposed your own rules of order. Soooo, are you in charge?About that TS plung cut of yours: I can't believe you can't remember the post, nice Quick Time 2 frame slide show. Maybe I remember because of how dumb it was from someone that answers soooo many questions, up to what over 8,000 now. I thought geeee here is this person giving all this advice and she asks a question like this. Man I hope no one tries it and looses a hand.Disclamer: This is not a joke.DJK
DJ, I'm going to respond to a couple of things here and then I'm done with this nonsense.
I'm not maintaining that anyone doesn't have the priviledge to post -- but you seem to disagree with mine if the post doesn't meet your strict requirements. I took exception to your "try it and report" post because it was dangerous as noted by several others (and believe me, Sgian [Richard J] is not one of my so-called groupies, and he's every bit the professional you are.) Any vitriole that followed was in response to you, and I don't often give in to my primitive instincts along those lines. Gotta say, though, occasionally it's fun.
"answers soooo many questions, up to what over 8,000" Those aren't answers, those are posts, a huge percentage of which are "Hey, cool, thanks" or along those lines. So I'm chatty, big deal.
No, I don't remember that post very specifically, but I vaguely recall making an animated thing using still photos, which means it had to be 2 or maybe 3 years ago. My guess is it was related to asking for advice.
Sorry I forgot your handle, I didn't want to type it wrong and hurt your feelings.
I understand that you'd prefer I wasn't around here at Knots. Feel free to put me on Ignore.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
"DJ, I'm going to respond to a couple of things here and then I'm done with this nonsense..."
Well darn! I look forward to the next time you try to discipline someone! This has been entertaining! I've only been participating for a couple of months and this is the third tussle I've seen you in. Thanks! Always hilarious in a shadenfreude sort of way.
First, I'm not half the WW Sgain is.
Second, your the one with the requirements, go back and read your posts.
Third, you can't hurt my feelings, hard as oak.
Fourth, Ignore you, why would I do that. I come here to read your "posts" and get a chuckle. I've gotten very good at picking the topics you respond to. Wish my odds picking the Lottery numbers were as good, only hit once. I don't care if your here or not. Afterall it's my decision to visit Knots. You must be very popular over at Wood Mag. site. I'm sure lots of questions over there.DJKWound a bit looooser after running the planer. I ran the feed in reverse, did a climb cut. NO snip.
I had a pet peeve once...........it died
mike,
Har!
I've got a case of the screaming meemies. Want one?
Cheers,
Ray
That is what I meant to say. Been doing this woodworking stuff for 41 years. Was beeing sarcastic. She asked about a faster feed rate. Perform a climb cut and see how fast it will self feed. Silly questions get silly answers.
****************Questions one doesn't know the answer to aren't silly or stupid.Responses that can place a person in danger are bloody stupid.You say you've got 41 years of experience. It certainly doesn't show.I work in a hospital. I and my fellow medical pros see enough injuries without some idiot encouraging them to happen.Richard, thank you for pointing out the error in the reply DJK made.Leon Jester
.....not to mention that I obviously wasn't actually asking that question, since I clearly exaggerated and typed "(just kidding)" at the end of the sentence.
Good luck, Leon, I think it's hopeless. "I and my fellow medical pros see enough injuries without some idiot encouraging them to happen." Yup, that's why people got riled immediately after his post. Or, as Richard put it, "Pretty bloody stupid dumbass thing to say then...." I admire his restraint, LOL!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
Thought you said you were done.DJK
It seems to me that if everyone would stop coming the defense FG and let her defend herself this issue would have end 50 posts ago. Shes a big girl and can take care of herself. Lets get back WW.Have a good day.
"Shes a big girl." Hmph, bigger than I was at 18, for sure, LOL!! Darn. "Lets get back WW." I think we already did, Jetawn. I was surprised to see it resurface (due to you post). :-)forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
Sorry I didn't notice the date. I'll pay more attention next time. Just got wrapped up in the discussion I was reading. My apologies.
No problem, I always think it's funny when that happens (you aren't the first!) to a hopefully "dead thread." forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
Thanks for your thoughts.DJK
Well, I popped a Roman ogee bit in and edged some baseball displays. I found that, unlike the PC690, I could hog it all off at once if I wanted without dismal results. However, I decided to do it in two passes, leaving just a little for the last pass. Super-smooth action, and yes I can feed faster than with the 690.
As for climb cutting, one of the woods I'm using is a nasty little exotic that I'll not choose again. For the last pass on that wood, very thin cut, I climb-cut. Produced a smoother surface without that crunching sound. I doubt that I'd climb cut except for a thin, final cut. (See Richard's post)
PS: In a forum with a significant numer of newbies, it's advisable to couple such a suggestion (feeding left to right on a router table) with a strong cautionary statement that explains the dangers, and the precautions that need to be taken.
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
Edited 4/24/2005 2:36 pm ET by forestgirl
The main spring support on the Freud router is located inside the depth adjs.knob.Remove the cap and at the bottom is a nut that unscrews with another nut that that is below the first one and unlike the PC its not going to jump out at you.Its was a little tricky at first to get the nuts at the correct position inside.Play around and youll see what I mean,also if you have removed the top cover to inspect is your speed regulator one solid piece or is the center exposed for the round magnet,just curiousLOL.Pete.P.S. great choice machine,heavy but rock solid.
Thanks for the info, pvertis. I'll post answer to your ? but just wanted to let you know I'm working alot this weekend and probably won't get to the shop much before Monday.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
It happes that I use that same router in my table. Do remove the plunge spings if you have not yet. I found the switch was uncomfortably far under the table and close to the bit to reach for, especially when the machine is running and I am reaching to turn it off. So I cut the chord and wired it into a home-made paddle switch that I can easilly hit. When I change bits or leave the machine, I turn off both switches, which makes a safety. Hope the machine is good to you -
Hi Jimbo, I agree about the switch. I have a heavy-duty hooded foot switch I could use, but find it pretty awkward -- it's the kind with the rubber half-sphere and metal coweling(?); would probably prefer the paddle-switch. I find it more awkward to be fishing around with my foot than to move one hand away from the stock.
Most folks seem to recommend removing the plunge springs, but they're in there for now.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
Hi Jimbo, rather than cut the cord,
I put a switched outlet on the front of my router table.The router plugs into the switch. (it's a Duplex box - switch on one side, outlets on the other). When I need to change a cutter, I just unplug the router.The switch is a heavy duty toggle with a "cover" that you have to lift out of the way to turn on the power. To shut off, push down on the cover. (does this make sense?)I found an example- look at the "cover" at the bottom of the screen.http://www.action-electronics.com/switches.htm#SafetyAnd here is an even cooler site, that will custom print on the switch cover: http://performanceunlimited.com/cobravalley/togglecover.htmlMarkMeasure it with a micrometer, mark it with chalk, cut it with an ax.Edited 4/28/2005 8:11 am ET by Mark
Edited 4/28/2005 8:17 am ET by Mark
Your description makes perfect sense and sounds like a fine system. I didn't fill in all the details, but after I cut the cord I put a plug on the end, and put an outlet in the inside of the table, so the router plugs in with a short (18") tail and is easily removable. I wired the switch (with a home made wooden paddle system) in line between the outlet and another plug, actually using the rest of the cord that I had cut off.
Your system is just as good, and has the benefit of not cutting the cord (in case that rounter will some day not be dedicated to the table). My system has the benefit of not having a 10" cord into a switch and then another 10" cord from the switch to the wall ... but I don't suppose that modest extra cord would cause any power loss.
Thanks for your input -
Unfortunately, my router is not dedicated to the table. Rarely I do some hand-held operations so cutting the cord was an issue. The cord, sometimes can be a pain, however.Mark
Measure it with a micrometer, mark it with chalk, cut it with an ax.
"with a home made wooden paddle" Jimbo, would you have time to post details?
BTW, figured out a way to "find" that switch pretty easily and still stay out of trouble with the bit. Since the switch is turned Off by pushing up, I just run my hand up that corner of the router. It hits the switch, turns the router off, without my fingers coming near the bit area.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
Only too happy to describe it ...
But understand that I'm a hobbyist, with a limited budget. I woodwork for the fun and pleasure I get from doing something with my hands that is not like my real job ... stressful and mentally exhausting. Most people and posters would probably just go out a buy a fancy switch and be done with it. So, with that disclaimer ...
My router table is built on a three sided plywood box, open in the front and with bit drawers on the sides. Very typical. So I mounted a 20 amp house switch (I think your FT2000 is a 16A router) into a switch box, and fastened that switch box to the side of router table, closer to the back, and horizontally, facing upward. If you check out the switch boxes available at HD you'll find some that mount on their side, for attaching to a stud. Get a face plate too, to house the switch. Together about $1.00. I just screwed right through the box's mounting plate into the plywood side of the router table, so that the switch faces upward rather than to the front.
I then made a short wooden stick, long enough to reach from the back of the switch box to the front of the router table. I attached a wood plate on the front and wrote "Push Off" on it. As if anyone else would need to know that, or it was not obvious! Decoration I guess. The back end of the stick rests on the top of the switch box, so you'll need to cut a notch in the stick to fit over the switch (not over the box, just the switch itself). I had to cut the notch so that it was angled, to accommodate the changing angle of the switch as it throws front to back. Be sure to install the switch so, when the stick is pushed to the back, the switch is thrown to the Off position. When it is pulled, the switch is thrown on. I toyed with the idea of drilling the end of the switch and running a cut off nail through it, to make it pivot on the stick, but that was not necessary. The notch catches the switch to move it forward and back. I installed a couple of 1 1/2" 45 degree brackets (corner braces?) below and above the stick to hold it in place as it slides front and back. I bent the end of one of those brackets so that it also holds the stick in against the side of the cabinet as well. In the end, a paddle protrudes in a convenient location on the left side (in my case) of the cabinet, which I pull on, and push off.
To wire it I cut the cord to a short tail, say 18", and put a plug on the end of that. The plug lets me remove the router if needed, say for service. I installed an outlet in the back of the cabinet, into which that plug goes. I used the cut-off cord to wire the outlet into the switch, and to connect the switch to the wall outlet to supply power, using the plug end that is already on the cord. I use the router's original build-in switch as a safety when I am leaving the machine, and also when I change bits. When it is turned off, the paddle is not "hot". In ordinary use, it is left on, and the paddle is used to turn the machine on and off as I work.
That's my homemade paddle switch. Took about an hour to put together, and I show it off when woodworking friends are over. Let me know if you try it, or tweak it to make it better.
If you can, do include a picture...Thanks,
Mark
Measure it with a micrometer, mark it with chalk, cut it with an ax.
Thanks for the detailed description, Jimbo, 'preciate it! forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
Been woodworking for about six months and reading here for half of that. I'm not an expert with wood, but am probably like most people around here, I'm a professional in a different field. All I can say is you're info is helpful, even though some short staffed losers would think otherwise. It's unfortunate that they would bully you being a female because I'm sure they wouldn't "man" up if they met you in person. Here's to your continued contribution, there are many of us out here that read your posts.
DJK, you and your sidedick Tony are a dying breed. Soon us weekend woodworkers will define "Fine Woodworking" as we attempt to reproduce classic Chinese import and IKEA peices. Long live knockdown furniture and the modest skill required to build it. lol
Sorry to the rest for re-living some painful posts, I'm just hopping on board now and that display of cowardess got me riled.
Coward, who me? Hey didn't I say how much I enjoy reading her posts.DJK
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