Craftsman CRT/A - Manual (Page 4)

Router Table for the Craftsman
-3-
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
1. Always switch off the power and unplug the router when
changing cutters or when making adjustments.
2. Always wear protective goggles when routing.
3. Wear sound protective ear muffs when routing for long
periods of time.
4. Do not wear loose clothing. Make sure baggy sleeves are
rolled up and ties are removed.
5. Always remove spanners and allen keys from the table
surface before switching router on
.
6. Keep hands well clear of the router cutter when routing.
7. Avoid accidental starting of the router. Make sure the
power switch is in the 'Off' position before plugging in and
connecting to the electrical supply. Fit the no-volt release
switch for ultimate safety.
8. Never leave the router unattended when running. Always
wait until the router comes to a complete stop before
making any adjustments.
9. Do not switch the router on with the cutter touching the
workpiece.
10. Make a push stick and use it to move narrow workpieces
across the cutting area.
11. Mount the Router Table securely to a work bench or to a
workboard fitted to a suitable surface.
12. Check the function of the retractable safety guard before
each use, to ensure it rides easily over the workpiece.
13. Always use the back fence to guide the work. Do not work
freehand unless using bearing guided or pin guided
cutters.
14. Always feed the workpiece against the rotation of the cutter
15. Periodically check all nuts and bolts to make sure they are
tight and secure.
16. Use dust extraction equipment.
CUTTER CARE
1. Do not drop cutters or knock them against hard objects.
2. Cutters should be kept clean. Resin build-up should be
removed at regular intervals with a wire brush. The use of
a dry lubricant will act as a preventative eg Trendicote
spray. Take care not to allow excessive quantities of
lubricant to come into contact with the Router Table.
3. Cutter shanks should be inserted into the collet at least 3/4
of shank length to prevent distortion. A distorted collet
should be discarded, as it can cause vibration and damage
the shank.
4. Do not overtighten collet as this will score the shank and
create a weakness there.
5. It is also advisable to periodically check the router collet
nut for wear.
USEFUL ADVICE
1. Judge your feed rate by the sound of the motor.
In time, the operator will acquire a ‘feel’ for the router, and
a feed speed relative to the work will come naturally.
Too slow a feed will result in burning.
2. Do not take too deep a cut in one pass. Take light cuts
with many passes to maintain cutter speed and improve
finish.
3. Apply the normal precautions as with any electric power
tool.
4. The main abuse of routing machines is the inclination for
operators to overload them. The motto is 'Keep the revs
up'. The drop in revolutions should not exceed, if possible,
more than 20% of full running speed.
5. The motor of a router is susceptible to the accumulation of
sawdust and wood chips, and should be blown out, or
‘vacuumed’ , frequently to prevent interference with normal
motor ventilation.
6. Do not store the Router Table with router fitted on the
floor, as chips, panel pins or dirt could drop into the air
intake of the router.
7. Refer to the Instruction Manual supplied with your router
for full details of it's features and safety information.
8. The use of a fine height adjuster is highly recommended
(if available for your router) for accurately adjusting the
height of the cutter.
9. Do not use strong detergents or organic solvents to clean
the Router Table or any of its components.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Table surface 359mm (14") x 610mm (24")
Table height 349mm (13 1 /
2
")
Aperture opening 54mm (2 1 /
8
")
Back Fence opening 73mm (2 7 /
8
")
Height of Back Fence 100mm (4")