Replies

1. 
   SawdustSteve | Jan 04, 2005 04:49am | #1

   Sounds crazy but... why not use a tablesaw or a spindle shaper for this operation??
   YES a 3 1/2 hp router should have enough b***s to handle that cut. Again, do not feed too fast. I would not try to take all the wood out in one pass. SawdustSteve

2. 
   Steinmetz | Jan 04, 2005 05:16am | #2

   The 1/2" diameter bit should do the job in two 1/4" passes and a jet of air will blow out the debris. Don't be fooled by craftsman's horsepower ratings
   They really mean the motor under extreme load will develop 3-1/2 HP momentarily before it 'Buy's the farm' All their motors are underpowered

   Any motor when pushed to capacity, will draw maximum currant and develop extra 'Wind' It depends on what you mean by horse power!

   Steinmetz.

3. 
   RANGERP75R | Jan 04, 2005 06:23am | #3

   KP

      I got a 3 1/2 HP Milwaukee mounted in a table that's a hoss. Will it cut 1/2" in one pass? On most woods yes... But I'm not going there with hickory, hard maple and not even a thought given with lignum-vitae.

      I don't find the necessity to go that deep with any wood including soft-woods. No sense to me to risk kick-back or ruined stock by taxing the router even though it will. If I were in a hurry (I'm not commercial, so I don't have to hurry) I would put a shaper in the shop to handle that task.

      The results of taking a wee bit at a time are clean, controlled cuts without too much concern of butchering a piece of stock or personal injury.

   Regards...

   sarge..jt

   Proud member of the :  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

4. 
   forestgirl | Jan 04, 2005 08:38am | #4

   " Should 3 1/4hp router make 1/2" rabbet?"  Short answer:  Not in one swell foop.

   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" .... :>) 

5. 
   DennisS | Jan 04, 2005 08:58am | #5

   Kelvin -

   I guess I have to dissagree with the consensus of the group. A true 3 1/4hp router should be able to make this cut in one pass - with the proper bit, that is. But it would be taxing the router to be sure.

   But why use the router whan a dado blade in the table saw is so much faster not to mention safer (in my opinion).(?)

   ...........
   From Beautiful Skagit Co. Wa.
   Dennis
6. 
   notDusty | Jan 04, 2005 09:51am | #6

                  KELVINPOTTER,

         I would agree with SawdustSteve and  Dennis , if you have a TS and a dado set try it . Maybe a 1/2" x 1/2" spline cutter instead of a straight bit would work better on the router . If the 2x6s are soft wood one pass should do it especially with a true 3 1/4 hp machine , a slower  feed rate may also help.

                        dusty

7. 
   Routerman | Jan 05, 2005 12:07am | #7

   You can do it but it is not a grand thing to do. You could break the cutter, smoke the router and if the cutter has a diameter <1/2" you'll bury the cutter in the work and rip the hell out of it (the work). No need for that.

   Router Facts

1. 
   scooter1 | Jan 05, 2005 08:08pm | #8

   Pulleeeze Folks:Do not recommend dadoing rabbets on this forum on the TS. We must be mindful of our friends across the pond, and their opinions that the dado is dangerous and illegal. Be politically correct folks.Regards,
   Boris"Sir, I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow" -- WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1934

2. 
   eddiefromAustralia | Jan 05, 2005 10:21pm | #9

   Agree with Pat's opinion here, Kelvin.Try and bite no more than 3mm (1/8") each pass with the router, no matter what the bit - you'll end up with a smoother cut too. Our trade training.Cheers,eddie(who just looked at Pat's website and saw his credentials)

8. 
   lostarrow | Jan 06, 2005 04:09am | #10

   Potter--- I have an old PC cast iron stair jig and I have routed hundeds of stair stringers using a PC 3 1/4 hp router  ( # 314) using 3/4" dia. bits with 1/2" shanks with no problems in oak, maple or plain 'ole 2x10 framing lumber. In 4/4 stock I routed 3/8" deep. In 6/4 stock I routed 1/2" deep. I routed in one pass because plunge routers were'nt on the market yet.  It worked just fine for me.

   Be not afraid of going slowly.  Be afraid only of standing still.   chinese proverb