RIDGID R2900 - Manual (Page 17)

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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 result in personal
injury. If using a router table, large bits should be
used for edging only.
FREEHAND ROUTING
See Figure 14.
When used freehand, the router becomes a flexible and
versatile tool. This flexibility makes it possible to easily rout
signs, relief sculptures, etc. When freehand routing:

Draw or layout the pattern on the workpiece.��
 Choose the appropriate bit.
NOTE: A core box or V-groove bit is often used for rout-
ing 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 pro-
vide better control as well as being a guide for the next
pass.
NOTE: Do not rout deeper than 1/8 in. per pass.
WHOLE EDGE SHAPING
EDGING WITH PILOT BIT
See Figure 15.
The arbor-type bits with pilots are excellent for quick, easy,
edge shaping of any workpiece edge that is either straight
or curved at a curvature as great or greater than the radius
of the bit to be used. The pilot prevents the bit from mak-
ing too deep a cut; and holding the pilot firmly in contact
with the workpiece edge throughout prevents the cut from
becoming too shallow.
Whenever the workpiece thickness together with the desired
depth of cut (as adjusted by router depth setting) are such
that only the top part of the edge is to be shaped (leaving
at least a 1/16 in. thick uncut portion at bottom), the pilot
can ride against the uncut portion, which serves to guide it.
However, if the workpiece is too thin or the bit set too low
so that there will be no uncut edge to ride the pilot against,
an extra board to act as a guide must be placed under the
workpiece. This “guide” board must have exactly the same
contour— straight or curved—as the workpiece edge. If it is
positioned so that its edge is flush with the workpiece edge,
the bit will make a full cut (in as far as the bit radius). On the
other hand, if the guide is positioned as shown in figure 15
(out from the workpiece edge), the bit will make less than a
full cut — which will alter the shape of the finished edge.
OPERATION
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
ROUTER
WORK
TOP EDGE SHAPING
GUIDE
ROUTER
WORK
PILOT
PILOT
NOTE: Any of the piloted bits can be used without a pilot for
edge shaping with guides, as preceding. The size (diameter)
of the pilot that is used determines the maximum cut width
that can be made with the pilot against the workpiece edge
(the small pilot exposes all of the bit; the large one reduces
this amount by 1/16 in.).