Wood Routers : How to Router the End of a Board | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Learn how to minimize tear-out when routing the end of a board by clamping another board of the same thickness and running the end grain first.

Key Insights

• 📆 Routing the end of a board can result in tear-out due to the spinning motion of the cutter.
• 📆 Clamping another board of the same thickness to the end provides support and minimizes tear-out.
• 😂 When routing the entire board face, starting with the end grain and using the profile of the long grain helps remove any tear-out.
• 🐎 Factors such as the speed and sharpness of the router bit, as well as the speed of movement, affect the quality of the cut.
• ✈️ Tear-out on the end grain can be fixed by cleaning up the surface with lighter cuts or using other tools like a jointer or hand plane.
• ❤️‍🩹 Carbide bits are recommended for routing to avoid burning the end grain, which is difficult to sand out.
• 🥺 Steel bits can become dull quickly, leading to burning and decreased cut quality.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: How can tear-out be minimized when routing the end of a board?

Clamping another board of the same thickness to the end of the board provides support and reduces tear-out by preventing the cutter from tearing the wood.

Q: What should be done when routing the entire face of the board?

Start with the end grain first, as any tear-out can be removed by the profile of the long grain when routing in that direction.

Q: What factors affect the quality of the cut when routing the end of a board?

The speed and sharpness of the router bit are crucial. A sharp carbide bit is recommended to avoid burning the end grain, which is difficult to sand out. Additionally, the speed at which the router is moved across the stock can affect the cut.

Q: How can tear-out caused by routing the end of a board be fixed?

If tear-out occurs when working only with the end grain, it can be fairly easy to clean up. Leaving the board slightly wide allows for trimming with a jointer or hand plane to remove the tear-out.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The end of a board can be a problem area when using a router due to tear-out caused by the cutter's spinning motion.

• To minimize tear-out when working the end of a board, clamp another board of the same thickness to provide support.

• When routing the entire face of the board, start with the end grain first and let the profile of the long grain remove any tear-out.