Portable routers parts, uses and bits.

1. MACHINE ROUTERS

2. MACHINE ROUTERS
• Machine routers are extremely versatile
machines.
• They are generally used to cut grooves in
natural wood and manmade boards.
• They have a cutter that rotates at high speed -
as the operator pushes the router forwards the
cutter removes the wood in its path.
• They can be very dangerous if not used with
care and attention to safety rules.

3. Parts of the Router

4. Safety Rules
1) The mains electric
cord is carried over
the shoulder of the
operator so that it
does not get in the
way of the router as
it is pushed forward.

5. 2) Always wear safety
goggles to protect
the eyes. Never
operate equipment
like this without eye
protection.
3) Hold both handles
when using the
router. It is possible
to switch the router
on/off with the
thumb of the left
hand

6. 4) Push the router
forward slowly. Look
carefully at the
diagram shown - this
shows the direction
to move the router.
5) Always seek
instruction / training
from an
appropriately
qualified instructor
before using any
tools, especially
power tools.

7. Router Bits
• Diagram A shows a
typical plain router
bit. The router bit has
two hardened steel
cutters, ground to an
angle of
approximately 30
degrees. As they
rotate they remove
the waste wood.

8. Router Bits
• Sometimes a bearing
will be fitted to the
router bit (DIA. B).
This is normally done
when the outside
edge of a piece of
wood is to be rebated
or a mould applied to
the edge.

9. The Router in Use

10. • An adjustable fence is
fitted to ensure that
the router cuts in a
straight line.
• Great care must be
taken to ensure that
the mains lead does
not get in the way of
the cutter.
• The wood being
routed must be
clamped down firmly
to ensure that it does
not move.
• Diagram ‘A’ shows the
router being
controlled by both
hands.

11. • A machine router can
also be mounted in a
router table.
• The router is bolted
or clamped in position
and the wood is
pushed along the
table surface.
• The wood is pushed
along by ‘push sticks’,
along the guide, this
means that hands are
kept well away from
the cutter.

12. A range of router bits and the
sections they cut are shown below.