Replies

1. 
   esch5995 | Mar 18, 2021 01:01am | #1

   Yes all routers rotate in the same direction. No you don't always move the router counter-clockwise. If routing the outer edge of a board or frame traditionally you do move counter-clockwise around the work piece but there are time, such as when you want to reduce tearout or produce the smoothest possible surface that you would move clockwise, it's called climb cutting and is best done only for very light final passes after hogging off most of the wood in the safer more traditional counter-clockwise direction.

   Now for a real mind blower. If you are routing the inner edge of a frame you want to move clockwise to avoid climb cutting and counter-clockwise to climb cut.

   The easiest way to remember it is to look at the rotational arrow on the base of most routers if yours doesn't have one make one with a Sharpie, and always push in the opposite direction.

2. 
   john_c2 | Mar 18, 2021 04:00am | #2

   Clockwise if you are using the router upright in your hands. Counterclockwise if you are looking down at it in a table.

   All are identical. All bits are made to rotate in the same direction. Can you imagine if bits were made for left and right hand routers?

1. 
   killernewfie | Mar 18, 2021 08:36am | #5

   Don't give the tool companies ideas, in 5 years we'll be convinced we need left-handed and right-handed routers

3. 
   gulfstar | Mar 18, 2021 07:08am | #3

   The shaper heads on our double end tenonner and table top shaper had both right and left hand rotation, this allowed to shape the round or oval tabletops while cutting with the grain to minimize tear out. Come to think about it, the Weinig 6 heads moulder also had knifes rotating in both directions. I do think that the router heads on modern CNC routers would be able to rotate in both directions.

1. 
   john_c2 | Mar 18, 2021 08:22am | #4

   I've seen higher end home CNC setups that use a proprietary motor,rather than just a standard woodworking router. They are 3 phase with a VFD, so they could certainly run backwards. I have no idea if they have bits that do, or if the software takes advantage of the possibility. Or if it is a positive in any way.