A milling cutter is a tool that is not found in every garage. However, the craftsmen who are engaged in woodworking know how useful it can be in their work. Most carpentry work without it is almost impossible or difficult to perform. But the most interesting thing is that even experienced carpenters do not use this most useful power tool. 100%, sometimes without even assuming what functions it has, that with its help you can do. Today we'll talk about unusual ways to use a router.
Read in the article
- 1 What an ordinary hand router can do
- 1.1 The main functions of hand routers
- 2 Jointer and thicknessing tool: machines that a router can replace
- 2.1 Preparing for planing: material selection
- 2.2 Installation of rails on which the milling cutter will "walk"
- 2.3 Getting started with a manual router
- 3 A milling cutter instead of a compass: cutting out a perfect circle
- 4 Conclusion
What an ordinary hand router can do
Let's try to figure out what capabilities a manual router has. First you need to decide on the power of the power tool.
Making small items like dishes or boxes. There is enough low-power equipment consuming up to 1200 watts. Also, a similar router is suitable for craftsmen who use it occasionally. Usually these are fans of spending the weekend in the garage or mini-workshop, making various shelves or stools for themselves or as a gift. The cutter diameter here does not exceed 32 mm, and the shank length is 0.8-1.2 cm.
If the use of cutters with a longer shank is required, use equipment with a power of 1.2-1.9 kW. You can already work with such a router more professionally. However, an increase in power comes with an increase in weight.
If it is necessary to manufacture furniture or other facades, work with large parts, and also the operation of equipment for a long time use equipment of high power - 1.9-2.4 kW. Such a power tool is used in small furniture industries.
The main functions of hand routers
Using a hand router, you can perform the following operations, which are basic:
- arrange the ends and edges of the blanks, use a curly cutter to chamfer;
- cut patterns of varying complexity;
- perform various groove connections;
- make facades for lockers;
- drill holes of specified depth and diameter.
However, there are a few more functions that some home craftsmen not only do not use, but do not even know about them.
Jointer and thicknessing tool: machines that a router can replace
It is worth making a reservation right away: you should not think that a milling cutter can completely replace these machines. In general, he will do their job, but it will take incomparably longer time. That is why such work is performed by a milling cutter only in case of a one-time need. If the workpieces are put on stream, you still have to think about full-fledged machines.
Preparing for planing: material selection
Given: a piece of board that led due to improper drying.
Objective: to level the propeller driven surface using a hand router.
First, you need to set the board so that it does not move. Surely everyone understands what a propeller is and how such a board will behave on a workbench. In order to fit it tightly, scraps of plywood or fiberboard are used.
Installation of rails on which the milling cutter will "walk"
A profile pipe can be used as guides. Its size will depend on the thickness of the board - the pipe should be slightly larger.
But if you install the profile pipe close to the board, there is a danger of catching the metal with the cutter. Therefore, spacers are installed between the processed board and the rails on both sides. In their role can be the same plywood scraps.
The rails themselves are fixed on the workbench with clamps.
And one more detail - the carriage - the platform on which the router will be located. Today we will not dwell on its manufacture, this is a different topic. If someone is interested in the process of making it, write in the comments, we will definitely highlight this issue.
Getting started with a manual router
For planing, a straight slot cutter is installed on the power tool. It is she who will provide a perfectly flat surface on the board behaved by the helicopter.
Now you need to find the lowest point on the board, and then increase the cutter overhang by another 2-3 mm. When everything is ready, you can start working. The milling cutter should move across the board back and forth, gradually shifting to the side, so that there is not a single unworked place left.
As a result, a perfectly flat surface is obtained, which can only be achieved with a jointer or using a planer. It takes a lot of time, but if you need to align, for example, the countertop really helps out.
A milling cutter instead of a compass: cutting out a perfect circle
When using a hand router, it is quite possible to cut an even circle, both inner and outer. To do this, you just need to refer to the instruction manual, which our people, unfortunately, mostly ignore. After all, it's not for nothing that quite a few jokes go around this topic like this - the operating instructions for any device in Russia should begin with the words: "Well, you goof, have you already broken it?"
Conclusion
The possibilities of the router are not limited to those described today. And not only the manufacturer is trying to expand its functionality. Craftsmen are not lagging behind in this matter, coming up with all the new accessories for the milling cutter. This means that the cycle of similar articles today will continue.
We hope that the dear reader has learned something new for himself from the information presented today. If you have any questions on the topic, ask them in the comments. HouseChief's editors will be happy to answer each of them. There you can also express your opinion about what you have read or talk about other ways to use the router, which will be useful for novice home craftsmen. If you liked the article, we rate it and watch the video, which will reveal even more fully today's topic. Take care of yourself, loved ones and be healthy!
