router bit sizes

[louis]

i have a dewalt 625ek and like to make raised panel doors.
the instruction book tells me that i can use bits up to 50mm.
but some bits are bigger.
can't i use the bigger bits in a router table or is this dangerous and why.
thank you very much for your help.
louis (just start routing for the first time)

 

[DaveL]

Hi Louis,

I don't have a dewalt 625ek, but the limiting factors are the size of the opening in the base of the router and how slow the speed can be reduced to.
If the cutter is larger than the hole it could limit the amount of the shank you can get into the collet. Its not a problem with my Triton as the collect come though the base for cutter changing.
Big cutters should only be run at <12,000 rpm, whats the speed range on your dewalt?
You should never use these large cutters with the router free hand, only ever in the table. And ideally use feather boards, push sticks, good dust extraction and don't forget 'tap tap' safety glasses.

 

[louis]

hi dave,

the speed of the router is variable from 8000 to 20000 rpm. so that sounds ok.
in the table the collet is flush with the table top so there is no space restriction.
i don't see why there is a restriction on the seize of the router bit.

regards,
louis

 

[DaveL]

Well I have just looked at the Trend catalogue, as the 625 is similar to the T10/11.
The spec for the T10 says max cutter is 50mm while the T11 is 70mm or 86mm if table mounted.

Confused of Sudbury. :-s 8-[

 

[Scrit]

I have a couple of DW625s (OK, one's an Elu MOF177e ) and they will handle bits above 50mm providing that they're mounted in a table, the speed is turned right down to between 8 and 12,000 rpm (setting 1 or 2 on the speed control) and with the proviso that you won't be able to retract the blade through the base of the router. The limiting factor is actually the size of the hole in the base - T11s have a bigger hole, whereas the T10/DW625/MOF177e and the CMT 1850 (all essentially the same router) have a smaller hole.

Scrit

 

[Scott]

Yeah, I occasionally use a big panel raiser in my 625EK. Like Scrit says it's OK (or at least in my experience it is!) provided it's in the table. The size of the hole in the router base means you have to plunge it fully to get the collet up to about table level and then fit the cutter.

Run at the lowest speed and don't try try to take it all off in one pass!! [-X

 

[Scrit]

The biggest cutter I ever use freehand is a 32mm diameter Freud top bearing template cutter which is used to do cut-outs in solid wood worktops - at setting 1 to 1.5 on the speed control and with a VERY firm grip required. I find that this bit produces a much smoother surface that smaller diameter cutters, but it is only used to do final trim cuts after the bulk of the waste material has been removed using a jig saw. If you are doing panel raising consider hogging some of the waste with an electric planer or hand plane before making the cut and make sure that you use an extractor to reduce recurring of waste - you'll find the cutting action smoother and that your cutter lasts longer

Scrit

 

[louis]

thanks everybody,
the bigger bits i like to use are raised panel bits (3") so i don't have to retract the blade trough the router base.
i could make a extra top on top of the router table with a bigger hole.
the stroke is 80 mm so that is long enough to lose the 12mm or so of a extra top.

regards, louis

 

[mailee]

i often use large diameter bits in my De Walt 625 and just plunge the router full up to the table top and then use the fence to take fine cuts pulling it back after each pass. Works well for me.