Router cutters are essential woodwork tools that need caring. Their effectiveness depends on their condition. Just like many other tools, routing tools require both care and maintenance. Without that, they will end up heating and producing dull edges next time you use them. So, how do you keep your routing tools in top condition? To achieve this, take into account the below-mentioned ideas. By doing so, you will find yourself having an excellent time the next time you will be working on your wood.
Always keep them sharp
Keeping your router bits sharp is very important. To do this, you will require a fine grade diamond hone and a lubricator. To get even better results, make use of a trend lapping fluid. Make sure you only hone the face of your router. The bevel is not to be honed under any circumstance. To achieve symmetry and balance, stroke the router cutter equal number of times. If you are using double-sided hone, you should only make use of the fine side. You can, however, use the coarse side to hone a blunt edge.
Clean them after use
Most people tend to store their router cutters without having them cleaned. What you don’t know is that this often affects the effectiveness of your next woodworking process. It is also the main reason why you always buy router cutters more often than warranted. For proper cleaning of your router bits, you need to remove the bearing in case it has one. You should also not wash off the lubricant if you want it to maintain its efficiency. When removing the bearing, ensure you exercise caution to avoid scratching your fingers. Sometimes the bearing can be too tight that you will need your woodworking gloves to twist it safely and remove it without harming your fingers.
Store routers carefully
Lesson one of the beginner’s guide to routing is making sure that your router cutters work efficiently. One of the main ways to ensure this is by storing your routers safely. You can always make use of a router cutter presenter which is often the best way to store and present your routers at the same time. Each bit is kept separate from the other, and this ensures there is no knocking of the routers leading to chipping and damaging of the sharp edges. A router presenter also gives you an easy time picking out the router you want to use without having to go through each of them.
Lubricate your router cutters
In woodwork, lubrication is essential when it comes to optimum functioning of the routers. This is because you get to achieve the best cut, the turning points work correctly, and your router doesn’t end up shuttering while cutting wood. Some of the other tips to keep in mind when observing router safety is to ensure you wear protective clothes throughout. You should also try to maintain the optimum speed of the router cutters. This is the only way you will have complete control of your routers. You will also achieve fine cuts when working on your wood.
So far, those are some of the main ideas that will help you to keep your routing tools in top condition. They are also the only way to ensure you enjoy your woodworking sessions and avoiding unnecessary damages. Keep in mind that every router needs to be in perfect condition for you to end up achieving a fine edge effortlessly. Don’t forget that before engaging in any woodworking activity, you should ensure your router cutters are in top condition and that you have the protective clothes to keep you safe.