Page 131 - Rout2021

USING CUTTERS CARE OF CUTTERS CUSTOMER FEEDBACK MATTERS
There are far more ¼" shank routers in existence Cutters should be kept clean and sharp. Cleaning Many of our new and innovative products are the result of
than there are ½", so many of the cutters in this is half the battle; dirty cutters result in a build-up
catalogue are ¼" shank. Heavy-duty cutters of heat on the cutting edges which dulls them, our efforts to extend the versatility the router.
however, such as those for panelled doors, lock resulting in a further build-up, and so on. Two Other additions to our range are often the result of
mitre joints etc., are invariably on ½" shanks and types of cleaner can be used: a solvent to remove
it is necessary to have a ½" router to use them. resinous deposits and an abrasive household customers’ suggestions. We are constantly reviewing our
Most ½" routers come with a collet or reducing cleaner to remove heavier build-up. One of the range and adding new products and are always pleased to
sleeve, but you should use the ½" shank version best solvents is contact adhesive remover hear from our customers with suggestions and comments.
of the cutter wherever possible because the (although WD40 is good both as a solvent and a
additional shank thickness will be gripped more lubricant, but not to be used on bearings) and the We look forward to hearing from you!
firmly, causing less whip and chatter and giving a best abrasive cleaner is “Astonish”, obtainable
better cut. Similarly, the shorter the cutter length from the local ironmonger. To clean your cutters
the less whip and the better the cut. With light (first removing the bearings if present), brush off CUSTOMERS’ COMMENTS
and medium-duty routers cuts must be made in a loose dust with an old toothbrush or soft brass
succession of shallow passes, rarely exceeding suede brush and remove gummy deposits with a “Thank you so much for all the assistance today, as well
¼", so only the bottom ¼" of the cutting edges rag moistened in solvent. Do not soak the as fast processing of our order. We have lots of joinery
ever gets worn anyway. bearings in solvent. For deposits that the solvent & woodworking customers come to our sawmill each
cannot cope with, apply the “Astonish ” with a
Cutters should be fitted into the router collet at damp rag. Clean all parts of the cutter, minding day, sometimes disgruntled with the poor service and
least three quarters of the shank length. At the your fingers when cleaning the flutes. Rub with
same time care should be taken to avoid the paste until the cutter is in its original pristine lack of information from some other tooling companies
grounding the end of the shank on the bottom of state. in the UK . When they ask, it’s great to refer them to you
the motor spindle, because vibration will be at Wealden Tool. Sometimes these things go unsaid.”
transmitted to the cutter. After cleaning, hone the flat faces of the cutter
flutes with a diamond lap. The best and most D.F., Dublin
The collet nut should be tightened firmly but economical type for use on router cutters is the
without any ‘white-knuckle’ force. Overtightening hand lap (see page 94) and the best all-round “I have used Wealden Tool Co. on and off for over 30
can damage both the collet and the cutter shank. years. They have been consistent in the quality of their
grade is ‘Fine’, which is coloured red. Our
When removing cutters from routers such as Atlas EZE-LAP hones are designed to be used dry, but products and the level of service. Prices have always
Copco, Bosch and Elu, note that two ‘bites’ of the note that this does not apply to all manufacturers, been as good as can be expected for quality tooling.”
spanner are required. The first apparently frees with some being used with a few drops of water
the collet nut, which can then be turned by hand on the surface. Make certain that the cutter flute C.C., Totnes
for several revolutions, but then further resistance is absolutely flat on the hone and rub it firmly
is encountered. A second ‘bite’ of the spanner is backwards and forwards. Give each flute the same “I have been meaning to write for some time. As a
required to overcome this, after which the cutter number of strokes. Continue until satisfied; a cabinet maker of 30 years standing I have used almost
can be removed. This two-stage removal of the little experience will teach you when to stop. Most every tool provider in business. However none matches
cutter causes more trouble for the beginner to types of cutter can be honed but there are a few
routing than anything else. With a ¼" router the that cannot. Examples of these include spiral your quality, service and value for money. There are
depth of cut should never exceed ¼", i.e. the cutters, very narrow straight cutters, V-grooving, now 14 makers in our workshops and I recommend you
diameter of the shank. This rule has to be and pierce-and-trim cutters. Bearing-guided to all of them. Nobody has expressed anything other
occasionally broken as, for example, when cutters present no problem once the bearing is
dovetailing since you cannot make three light cuts removed. After honing, the cutter should be given than satisfaction. Thanks again for doing a great job.”
with a dovetail cutter. With a ½" router, cuts can a squirt of lubricant spray, such as a PTFE spray J.C., London
be heavier but several light cuts will always give a from the local car-spares shop. The diamond
better finish than one heavy one. faces on EZE-LAP products benefit from an “Have used many times before and without exception
occasional de-clogging with soap and water and a
Many of today’s routers have variable speed with nail brush. Hone types that are used wet should have always had excellent service and tooling.”
‘soft start’. With ‘soft start’ there is often a be dried and the surface cleaned with a plastic N.L. Carpentry, Shepton Mallet
perceptible pause before the motor reaches its eraser.
operating speed. Make sure that this speed has “Contacted the Wealden company wishing to buy router
been reached before beginning the cut. The COLLET CARE bits knowing next to nothing about router bits. The
router speed should be adjusted to take account
of the size of the cutter and the material being The collet is often taken for granted, but is a vital bloke that spoke to me was extremely helpful and
used. Cutter catalogues and router user manuals link between motor and cutter and should be kept patient with my ignorance and guided me through the
give guidance on speeds. Many heavy-duty cutters in good condition. It can be cleaned with a rag purchasing process without making me feel like a
have a maximum speed for optimum cutting and dampened with the solvent followed by the PTFE
safety; single speed models, even powerful ones, spray to prevent corrosion. Fine wire brushes are turnip. My router bits arrived the next day and all I'm
cannot use such cutters efficiently. available, which can be used to clean the inside of left to do is explain to my wife why I needed them.
collets; suitable brushes, which look like Wealden can't help me there but in every other sense
In most applications (there are specific
exceptions) the router should be advanced in a miniature bottle brushes, are often available from they were superb. Yours, A. Turnip!”
direction opposite to that of the rotation of the dentists. Whilst cleaning the collet, it is also a M.R., Northallerton
cutter. Router cutters rotate in a clockwise good time to clean inside the tapered collet
direction looking down on them. The correct housing on the motor spindle. If a collet becomes “I don't often do this, but I wanted to take a minute to
direction of cut is therefore that where the cutter, scratched or corroded, consider replacing it. In
left to its own devices, wants to run back towards the long run collets are a consumable item, and thank you for the superb router cutters you supply. I
you. should be replaced at regular intervals as they are wouldn't be able to make the things I do without them!”
susceptible to metal fatigue even if kept
The rate at which you feed the router into the scrupulously clean. M.J., Pontefract
workpiece depends partly on the material and
type of cut, but the best guide is the type of waste Do not leave cutters in your router for long “I wanted to say that when ever I call I get friendly
you are producing. If this consists of perceptible periods and never tighten the collet nut without a advice and your service, pricing and quality is second
shavings and chippings, as opposed to dust or cutter inserted, or the collet might become to none. When ever I get into a conversation with other
splinters, you are not far wrong. If you try to go distorted.
too fast (or too deep) the sound of the motor makers I recommend you. My only regret is that I
labouring will warn you; too slow and you are hadn’t come across your company years ago. Thanks
likely to burn the workpiece. again and keep up the good work.”
R.C, London