Ryobi RE601 - Manual (Page 19)

Page 19
OPERATION
FREEHAND ROUTING
WARNING:
Do not use large router bits for freehand routing. Use of
large router bits when freehand routing could cause loss
of control or create other hazardous conditions that could
cause possible serious personal injury. When using a UL
listed router table, large router bits should be used for
edging only. Do not use router bits that are larger in
diameter than the opening in router base for any purpose.
FREEHAND ROUTING
See Figure 23.
When used freehand, your router becomes a flexible and
versatile tool. This flexibility makes it possible to easily rout
signs, relief sculptures, etc.
There are two basic techniques for freehand routing:
■ Routing letters, grooves, and patterns into wood. See
Figure 23.
■ Routing out the background, leaving the letters or pattern
raised above the surface.
When freehand routing, we suggest the following:
■ Draw or layout the pattern on workpiece.
■ Choose the appropriate cutter. NOTE: A core box or V-
groove bit is often used for routing letters and engraving
objects. Straight bits and ball mills are often used to
make relief carvings. Veining bits are used to carve
small, intricate details.
■ Rout the pattern in two or more passes. Make the first
pass at 25% of the desired depth of cut. This will provide
better control as well as being a guide for the next pass.
Freehand routing is an excellent example of how to
use the plunge routing feature of your router:
■ Choose the appropriate cutter, set desired depth of cut,
carefully check setup, and secure workpiece.
■ Make a test cut in a scrap piece of wood from the same
workpiece if possible.
■ Release plunge lock and release lever and raise cutter
from any preset depth of cut. This also permits raising
cutter inside router subbase.
■ Place router on workpiece inside pattern to be routed.
■ Grasp handles securely and depress switch trigger to
start your router.
■ Let motor build to full speed, then gradually plunge
cutter into workpiece until stop bar comes into contact
with stop screw on depth stop.
■ Tighten plunge lock and release lever to secure depth of
cut setting.
■ Begin routing out the pattern, continuing until a complete
pass at this depth of cut has been made.
■ Several cuts that require repositioning of router may be
needed for a particular job. If this situation exists, release
plunge lock and release lever and raise cutter inside
router subbase after each cut, reposition router for next
cut, gradually plunge cutter into workpiece until stop bar
contacts stop screw, tighten plunge lock and release
lever, and continue routing.
Fig. 23
in mm
1
2
3
9
1