How To Cut Curves In Wood With A Router | The Best Way!

How To Cut Curves In Wood With A Router

How To Cut Curves In Wood With A Router

Routers are very expedient tools when it comes to woodworking. There different types of routers ; hence you should be clear with its usage before making a purchase. Routers are useful in cutting curves, drawing patterns, cutting the edges, drilling the grooves, and much more.

However, when using a router, there are several things that you should put into consideration to observe your safety and guarantee clean cuts. That is what brings this article in light. It highlights the key things that you should put into account when using a router. And also, it gives insight on how to cut curves in wood with a router.

Key Things To Observe When Using A Router

When using a machine to do a particular activity, there are several things that you should put into consideration. They help to watch your safety and also guarantee the success of your labor. Here are the key things that you should put into consideration while using a router and how to cut curves in wood .

1. Protect Yourself

When in the working place, we mostly forget to protect ourselves by wearing safety elements. As a result of our ignorance, we may end up with wounds that may take forever to heal. When dealing with a router, you may be safe from the scars but that does not mean you do not require some safety wears.

Routers work in a noisy environment. Thus they may mean danger to your ears. As a precaution always ensure that you have the standard ear protection to prevent the damages as a result of the loud noise. Also, do not forget your eyes. The dust or wood particles may find their way to your eyes. Hence, it may result in eye blindness and terrific to partial or total blindness. Therefore it is of great need to ensure you wear some googles.

2. Clear The Working Place

Clearing the working area is a general rule when using any tool. Any unneeded tools may act as stumbling blocks while working. Hence they may cause accidents that may be deadly. To be on the safe side and to guarantee a smooth working period ensure that the working place is free of any unnecessary tool. Most important things are cutting curves with a router which is best for you. More read

3.  Avoid Wood Cracking

Wood cracking causes wood wastage, which might turn out to be expensive. To avoid wood splintering, you should ensure that you use ideal bits. Which are the ideal bits? The bits to be sued in routing should be sharp and sturdy. In case the bits are blunt, you can consider sharpening them.

Also, you should ensure that you are using sturdy bits to avoid fake carbides. Hence you should ensure that the bits are of high quality to promise clean cuts and also prevent the wood from splintering. To purchase quality bits, you can consult from the nearest hardware shop or make an online order

4. Avoid Tear-Outs

Tear outs cause undesirable appearance on the wood. They are as a result of the bit grabbing the end grain. They mostly occur at both ends of the wood. There are several precautions against the tear-out.

First, you should ensure that you are using clean and sharp bits. Also, attach a stock on both ends of the wood. Let your starting point and ending point be on the wood.

5. Have The Appropriate Bit Speed

Adjusting the bit speed can be a bit troublesome. Nevertheless, you should ensure that you are routing at the right bit speed. Observing that guideline helps to prevent the router from heating and burning, which can make the router waste fast.  To adjust the speed of the bit, you should consider the diameter of the cut. The large the diameter the slower the speed and the vice versa also applies

6. Use A Routing Table

Routing tables are essential when using a router. Unfortunately, most of the people overlook its essence. Routing tables are used to fix the router at a specific point hence reducing the fatigue. Routing tables are available at various sizes. Hence you may consider the size of your workshop when purchasing one. Also, the nature of your work may offer insight into the right side of the routing table you require. More details need to know how to cut curves in wood by hand .

Note; when starting to route always start at a slower speed to avoid wood splintering.

How To Cut Curves In Wood With A Router

This section consists of the key steps that you should follow when cutting a circle or a curve;

  • Cut the wood into a circle
  • Make some holes in the circle.
  • With a space of 1-inch drill pivot holes on the jig
  • Drill holes in the woodblock
  • Cut a precise and clean circle
  • Sand the dowels in the wood
  • Place the dowels on both sides of the router
  • Use the router to cut an arch. To do this, set the bits first. Then slide the router against the wood
  • cutting curves in wood with a jigsaw

Conclusion

Using a router can be challenging, especially for amateurs. However, we can not overlook the fact that routers are very handy tools when cutting curves, routing edges, drilling grooves, and many more applications. So what is the solution? To offer the needed remedy is what brings this article into the light. It discusses the key things that you should observe when using the router. Also, it discusses how to cut curves in a wood with a router.

Always ensure that you have earplugs while using a router. Routers work in a noisy environment; hence the earplugs will save your ears. Also, the dust and wood particles may attempt to find their way into your eyes. Thus, ensure that you wear some googles. The bits are the most active part of a router. Therefore to guarantee a clean cut you should ensure that the bits are in good condition. You can observe that by using clean, sharp, and top quality bits.

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