Raised panel router cutters

[Mister Loco]

I've treated myself to a set of raised panel router cutters to use in my router table with a half inch Dewalt router. Can anyone give me any advise about using them in this setup please? What router speed should I use and how fast should I feed the wood through? I've only done hand-held routing so far and find this next step a little daunting! Thanks.

 

[Mike Wingate]

DW625e? What timber?Use speed 3-4 as it is a wide cutter. Take the cut in 3 goes (depth). Start across the end grain, and finish with the grain. Have you got pressure finger plates to control the timber. I did not and had no problems, but I use them now. Dust extraction is a must. Keep up the feed rate so you dont burn the timber.

 

[Mister Loco]

Yes it's a DW625EK router. I'm going to start on some practice pieces with softwood. I've got one Kreg featherboard on my table at present. Where should I position it and do I need a second one? I've got a good extractor attached to the table. Thanks.

 

[OPJ]

Ideally, you should have two featherboards applying pressure down on to the router table (or, one wider one that still applies pressure before and after the cutter). This will improve your finished cut and also reduce the risk of kickback. I'd usually advise you use of additional featherboards for sidewards pressure but, as this is a panel, it's probably impractical given the width of your table.

I wouldn't run the router any higher than the third speed setting. You might want to 'break through' an MDF false fence if you don't have a fence with sliding faces, for maximum support around the cutter.

 

[Steve Maskery]

I wouldn't use a feather board to keep pressure down, at least not with much pressure, anyway. Any downward pressure is going to want to tip the workpiece up and therefore down into the cutter. By all means set up a cover that prevents the board from being kicked up, but doesn't apply downward pressure.

Small cuts and plenty of 'em. Just keep your fingers clear and you should be fine.

Good luck
Steve

 

[OPJ]

I wouldn't use a feather board to keep pressure down, at least not with much pressure, anyway. Any downward pressure is going to want to tip the workpiece up and therefore down into the cutter.

Very good point, Steve!

If you have any of those push pads with the rubber soles, you could also use those to feed the panel safely past the cutter. They're difficult to make either; a few scraps of MDF or hardwood with some rubber matting glued to the bottom. :wink:

 

[Titmantiptoolsltd]

Hope this is of help.

http://www.titman.co.uk/pdfs/Raised_Panel_Leaflet.pdf

Best regards
Titman

 

[cutting solutions]

Hope this is of help.

http://www.titman.co.uk/pdfs/Raised_Panel_Leaflet.pdf

Best regards
Titman

Very good information in there :wink: