Wood processing is an interesting, exciting process. It allows you to make a variety of things. The master uses a special tool in his work, one of which is a manual milling cutter. This special equipment requires proper handling. How to work with a manual wood router will be discussed later.
Instrument assignment
Working as a wood router requires a certain skill from the master. You can master all the necessary skills in a short time. The master will be able in this case to make almost any product from wood. The range of operations that such equipment performs is wide. Before starting work, the master should read the instructions for working with the presented tool.
You need to start by making simple designs and crafts. A master who does not have sufficient experience with the presented tool can easily cope with the creation of, for example, shelving, railings, hangers and stools. SoIn time, it will be possible to produce more complex designs. With the help of a tool, you can remake old furniture, breathing new life into it.
Considering the recommendations on working with a manual wood router for beginners, it should be noted that the tool will also allow you to select grooves to create connections, to cut locks. If desired, it will even be possible to create an original pattern on the surface of the wood. The decor will become an original decoration for your product. Such a tool will definitely come in handy for a master in everyday life.
Processing wood with a router is quite simple. The master adjusts the cutting depth with the help of a lifting mechanism. It connects the two main parts of the equipment, which are the base and the motor.
In other words, we can say that the depth parameters are set by setting a certain gap between the washer and the pin. They are located next to the engine. The machine maintains the same distance from the edge of the workpiece when moving. For this, a special straight-line guide is provided in the mechanism. In some models, it may be circular. This will allow processing circles with a large radius.
If it is necessary to mill a small circle, insert a pin into the technological hole on the base at the required distance from the cutter.
Scope of application
Experienced craftsmen use different techniques when working with a manual wood router. This is a versatile piece of equipment that allows you to do a lot of carpentry work.
For example:
- Milling of flat, shaped surfaces, profiling of skirting boards, architraves, glazing beads or cornices.
- Creation of recesses for technological and curly purposes. This, for example, can be ridges, grooves, etc.
- Creating blind and through holes.
- Production of complex parts from wood, as well as their exact copying.
- Applying drawings, engravings, patterns and other decor to prepared surfaces.
- Inset hinges, locks on the door.
- Creation of various types of spiked joints. But this procedure is quite complicated, it requires the master to have a certain experience in owning the tool.
How to work with a manual wood router? It is necessary to prepare several improvised tools and materials in order to perform the correct processing of wood. So, you need a cutter, chipboard or boards, a jigsaw. Also, an electric drill and drills, a file are often used in the work. It is necessary to prepare templates, and the master must have overalls, goggles and a respirator.
The workpiece must be in a stationary position. To do this, it must be firmly fixed with a clamp or vice. It is necessary to adhere to the established recommendations for working with the equipment. So, for example, it is impossible to cut a layer of wood thicker than 5 mm at a time. Deep grooves are selected in several passes. There are many other nuances of working with the presented equipment.
Variety of tools
There are different types of hand routers. They differ in the principle of operation. There are three main types of routers:
- Vertical. This is a tool that is used for grooving. The disadvantage of such equipment is the fact that the radius of the corners of the sample will correspond to the radius of the cutter used. If you use this selection tool for door hinges, you will have to cut the corners manually. This type of device may differ in the adjustment mechanism. If it is stationary, the depth of cut will need to be set before starting work. It does not change during the execution of operations. Plunge routers have spring-loaded guides. Therefore, the cutting tool can be retracted from the surface of the workpiece without tearing off the platform.
- Edge cutters (wood cutters for manual processing - edging). May appear to be a smaller copy of the vertical instrument. The design is designed to guide the router along a ruler or template. The tool is used to create grooves, chamfering. It is a versatile tool as it can perform all the functions of the vertical variety of instruments.
- Key tools. This is a professional tool that is especially useful when cutting a large number of standard size slots.
For home and professional use, you need to purchase the appropriate models. Most often, they purchase universal tools. To do this, you can purchase equipment with a removable base. The tool in this case will be able to perform the functions of both edging andsubmersible equipment. In this case, depending on the type of cutter chosen, the master will be able to perform almost any woodwork.
Advice from experienced craftsmen
Which wood router to choose? Model ratings, expert advice and customer reviews should be considered before buying. Professional craftsmen say that it is better to purchase equipment that provides speed control. If you plan to use a cutter with a size of at least 8 mm, then the engine power of the device should be from 800 to 1300 watts. Also, before you buy a router you like, you need to pay attention to the depth of immersion of the cutting tool. This determines the maximum depth of the groove.
It is best if the cutter is clamped with a taper collet. The switch must have a locking button. The rod mechanism should work smoothly. The durability of the mechanism depends on this.
When choosing a router Bosch, AEG, Makita or another well-known brand product, you need to pay attention to the size of the cutting tool. The cutter consists of a cylindrical shank, the diameter can vary from 6.8 to 12 mm. It also has a section with a cutting edge. The choice depends on the specific tasks that the master must solve. This element of the tool can be prefabricated, monolithic or with a replaceable blade. The following types of cutting tools are also distinguished:
- Groove. Used in the grooving process.
- Profile. Gives the edge a decorativeview.
- Edge or seam. Used in the processing of the edge of the workpiece.
- Filling. Used to create a U-shaped notch.
- Cone. Allows you to bevel the edge of the workpiece at an angle of 45°.
- Kalevochnaya. The edge is obtained with its help rounded.
How to use the tool?
It will be interesting for a novice master to get a lesson in working with a manual wood router from specialists. There is a simple instruction.
Before you start processing wood, you need to assemble the tool. The cutter is inserted into the collet chuck. It must be the right size. If necessary, you can also replace the chuck if it is not designed for a collet of the corresponding diameter. The shank must be tightened with a special key. The clamping force must be sufficient so that the cutter does not hang out in the seat. Then you need to clamp the spindle. The tool is ready for use.
You need to set the desired depth of cut. To do this, you need to fix the cutter in the appropriate position. To do this, you need to press on it. You can set the exact depth by setting the appropriate position of the limit control. It has several degrees.
Next, you need to set the cutting speed correctly. This parameter must be calculated based on the parameters of the material and the size of the cutter. The relevant data is indicated in the table provided by the equipment manufacturer. You need to check the correctness of the settings on the rough workpiece. Only after thatyou can start finishing.
The milling cutter must be moved away from you on a flat base. When circular cutting, you need to move the tool counterclockwise.
Some tricks
How to work with a manual wood router? There are several commonly used techniques that allow you to process wood in an appropriate way. They are worth considering in more detail.
So, if you need to create a groove on the edge, the tool is set so that the cutter hangs over the edge of the workpiece. It must be lowered to the required depth. Next, the cutter is fixed and processing begins. When the entire butt is processed, the equipment is turned off. The latch is loosened, the cutting tool is raised. If you need to create a blind groove, the work is performed in the same way. Only in this case you need to move not from the edge of the product.
When learning how to work with a manual wood router, it is worth considering the technology of creating a deep groove. It is necessary to adjust the correct depth of the cutter every time you pass the surface. The depth should be no more than 5 mm. The last layer can have a maximum depth of up to 1.5mm.
If you need to process the end surface, a shallow cut is first made. The tool must move in the direction of rotation of the cutting tool and then in the opposite direction. The butt, thanks to this action, acquires a clear outline.
In some cases, the wizard uses templates. With their help, curved edges are formed. For this, edges with a thrust ring are used. It's plasticplate that moves along the template. The ring is fixed to the sole of the router. Templates allow you to copy wooden parts in the required quantity.
Setting the depth of milling. What to consider?
When using a manual milling cutter for wood "Makita", "Bosch" or products of other companies, you need to correctly set the depth of processing of the workpiece. This indicator may vary slightly for tools of different models. But the principle in this case remains the same. When the cutter reaches the required depth, the limiter presses on the stepped stop. This prevents the tool from cutting further into the material.
To correctly set the insertion depth, do the following:
- The tool is installed on the workpiece with the supporting part.
- The turret type stop is set with its lowest structural element opposite the end of the limiting part.
- The lock screw is released. The limiter in this case can move in the corresponding guides.
- The mechanism that immerses the cutting tool into the workpiece is unlocked.
- The motor will move down until the cutter touches the surface.
- Then the motor mechanism is blocked again.
- After that, the limiter drops to the lowest level.
- Next, you need to set the limiter slider, which is set to zero.
- After performing such manipulations, the limiter must be raised up to the level to which the slider on the scale will showpredetermined depth level. This procedure can be carried out by moving the limiter by hand or by fine-tuning mechanism.
- The locking screw is tightened to lock the slider in position.
- The immersion mechanism will be unlocked. The motorized cutter moves up.
This allows the motor and cutter to be lowered to the set lower position. If the depth should be large, processing is done in stages.
List of the best
Which manual wood router to choose? The rating will allow you to make the right decision. It has been compiled based on customer and expert feedback.
The best vertical models are:
- Bosch GMF 1600 CE – 37.5 thousand rubles
- Makita RP1800F – 21.5 thousand rubles
- Hitachi M12V2 – 17.8 thousand rubles
The best edge routers named:
- Bosch GKF 600 Professional – 12.2 thousand rubles
- Makita 3709 – 5.7 thousand rubles
- "Enkor FME-850" - 4 thousand rubles.
Vertical model reviews
The Bosch 1600 CE milling cutter, according to reviews, has thoughtful ergonomics. It is universal, allows you to perform different procedures during the processing of wood. Also, the manufacturer has provided a rich package. The disadvantage of the model is the high cost. This is one of the best routers that belongs to the category of professional equipment. Its disadvantage is the high cost.
The Makita RP1800F wood router is a handy tool that is used by both professionals and homemasters. It has comfortable handles, and the processing quality is quite high. The advantage of the model is the ability to penetrate up to 70 mm into the material.
Hitachi M12V2 is also a frequently purchased model. It is characterized by an optimal ratio of price and quality. At the same time, a powerful motor is installed in this equipment. The disadvantage of this model is an inconvenient start key, as well as a rough adjustment of the immersion depth.
Edge model reviews
One of the best buyers call Bosch GKF 600 Professional. It is characterized by high quality, stable performance and significant functionality. This is a handy and powerful tool. Adjustment is simple, which increases the comfort of use. The disadvantage of the model is that only a direct base is included in the kit. If you need a platform with tilt adjustment, you will have to buy it separately.
The Makita 3709 model is characterized by an acceptable cost. It is distinguished by a comfortable grip and a powerful engine. The disadvantage buyers call the plastic base.
Domestic manufacturers also produce high-quality and relatively inexpensive cutters for wood using the Enkor milling cutter. For manual material processing, the FME-850 model is ideal. This is a good option for beginners. The presented router is used for home use.
