routing

[marcros]

In a half inch shank router, how much of the cutter needs to be in the collet for safe operation? I need the maximum length of a dovetail cutter as possible, but not at the expense of safety.

 

[flh801978]

I wouldn't be happy unless the cutter shank was supported by the whole length of the collet

Ian

 

[Phil Pascoe]

I've not read anything about it, but I would have thought it wasn't neccessary to go much beyond the collet - it's only the collet that actually holds it.

 

[marcros]

I wouldn't be happy unless the cutter shank was supported by the whole length of the collet

Ian

I may have used a wrong term, thinking that the collet was the full length of the end of the router. But the answer seems to be the same- the whole length of the (actual) collet. Thanks

 

[flounder]

Most newer cutters will have a K mark on the shank and the cutter should be inserted up to the straight line of the K.

 

[The Bear]

Agree with flounder, there is a line to tell you.

You're also going to increase the "chatter", which isn't going to help the fit iif you're cutting dovetails

Mark

 

[Teckel]

I always put mine about 3/4 the length of the shank into the collet. I wouldn't let it out any more than this.

 

[MickCheese]

If there is no line then I push it in untill it hits the bottom then pull it out a bit.

Not very scientific I know.

Mick