First setback, template routing , HELP!!!

[Yellow]

Everything was going smooth, I precut my body wings on the bandsaw close to the template line, then put it on the router table.... I havent had to handle 2" thick pieces and cornering
before. It was fine on a smooth curve but as soon as the bit hits the endgrain.. BOOM the piece is flying.

I got some tearout that I was able to fix but it is not finished I still have to go around the body curve once more.

How do you guys do it? Is there a trick to going around corners for a smooth cut.

[wilser]

Originally Posted by Yellow

Everything was going smooth, I precut my body wings on the bandsaw close to the template line, then put it on the router table.... I havent had to handle 2" thick pieces and cornering
before. It was fine on a smooth curve but as soon as the bit hits the endgrain.. BOOM the piece is flying.

I got some tearout that I was able to fix but it is not finished I still have to go around the body curve once more.

How do you guys do it? Is there a trick to going around corners for a smooth cut.

this is normal

I think the problem was not the 2" thick piece, but that you left too much material. Close to the line is probably best done about 1/16" or so, more than that and you better take several passes (first few not touching the template with the bearing). The only trick is take it slow and use a sharp bit. Another thing that helps A LOT is using a big diameter pattern bit. I use a couple of CMT that have over 1" diameter and those cut much smoother and haven't had the dreaded tear out yet. Smaller pattern bits are more likely to do this.

This is me getting freaky with a router table (this particular bit is not one of the CMT ones, but it's about the same size):

[Yellow]

Ok I am going back in there.

You are right about the bit, I didnt think of that, my bit is an FStools 5/8 diameter, not quite as wide as 1"CMT I should look into getting one.

I left about 1/8 around.

Do you make a climb cuts anywhere or just go in the cutting direction all the time?

[Thonk]

Well i've only done it a few times but i have'nt had any tearout so far using the following method...

what i've done is use the router out of the table & routed with the template placed above(held with wide d'sided carpet tape) using a 1 " guide bit that has the Bearing on the top



I make a pass along the template that gives me about 3/4" deep cut along the body that's true to the template

i then pop off the template and make another pass again about 3/4" deep this time using the 3/4" i cut first as the guide,once thats done i flip the wings over change bits to one with the bearing on the bottom and take the final 1/2 or so thats left

as for end grain i just slow my passing speed up a little as i think a little bet of burn it far better that tear out

as i said im still learning and im sure someone will come and shoot my method down in flames(plz do id love to fine a faster way to clean up my body wings) but i hope it helps some

Cheers
thonk

[Rodent]

I've been using one of these in a 1/2" shank x 3/4" dia x 2" long cut flavour lately, and really liking the results



the slight twist has significantly reduced the chatter/tearout in otherwise tricky locations and grain orientations

for reference, it's CMT Part: 806.690.11 aka Woodcraft Item No. 817512

all the best,

R

[Son of Magni]

Originally Posted by Yellow

Ok I am going back in there.

You are right about the bit, I didnt think of that, my bit is an FStools 5/8 diameter, not quite as wide as 1"CMT I should look into getting one.

I left about 1/8 around.

Do you make a climb cuts anywhere or just go in the cutting direction all the time?

I think climb cutting leaves a cleaner cut but I would *never* try it with a router

[Yellow]

Well I have to make a new wing, that one is shot.

Thats how I learn.

But please keep posting your tricks, by the time I cut and glue up a new wing, we will have some good choices of technique on this thread hopefully it will be beneficial to others.

Dang it. It was going so good (but i got 1 wing done)

[wilser]

DO NOT CLIMB CUT!!! it's a sure way to make what happened to you happen every time. I only try climb cuts with VERY SHALLOW (sub 1/16") straight cuts on very thin stock. NEVER on a body.

[Son of Magni]

Originally Posted by wilser

DO NOT CLIMB CUT!!! it's a sure way to make what happened to you happen every time. I only try climb cuts with VERY SHALLOW (sub 1/16") straight cuts on very thin stock. NEVER on a body.

Or on a mill

[Yellow]

OK, went back in,

Success

I precut my body to 1/16th or less with the bandsaw
and routed from the center of the body to the end with the template on one side, then flipped the body and template on the other side so that I could keep same feed direction with low angle of blade to the body.

Today I am a happy man,

I will post some pics in a new thread once I have a little more to show for myself.

[Scott in Dallas]

Robo sanders are great for situations like this.