Festool Plunge OF 2200 EB - Manual (Page 18)

Climb-Cut Routing
WARNING: Climb-cutting with a router
increases the risk of serious injury. The
router bit may grab the workpiece, leading to
a loss of control. Read, understand, and
follow all of the warning messages below.
WARNING: There is no safe method for climb-
cutting. The router bit can grab the workpiece at
any time, resulting in a loss of control.
WARNING: Never attempt climb-cutting with
large diameter bits. The larger the bit, the more
likely it will grab the workpiece.
WARNING: Never, under any circumstances,
attempt to climb-cut with a table-mounted router.
The workpiece will catch and will be propelled off
the table.
WARNING: Never climb-cut around an interior
cutout in a workpiece. The bit can easily catch in
the corners.
WARNING: The workpiece must be fully secured
in place with clamping devices. Friction mats are
not sufficient for securing a workpiece during
climb-cutting.
Disclaimer: Festool does not condone the practice
of climb-cutting with a router. This topic is
presented for information only, and is intended to
warn the user of the potential risks of climb-
cutting. The information below does not explain
how to perform climb-cutting, but instead,
explains what not to do. Any user attempting
climb-cutting, does so at their own risk.
What is Climb-Cutting
Climb-cutting is feeding the router in the same
direction as the rotation of the bit. The inherent danger
is that the router bit will tend to self-feed, or "climb"
its way down the workpiece. The sole benefit for
climb-cutting is that there will be less tearout in the
cut. This is because the tip of the cutter enters the
edge of the workpiece, instead of exiting the edge of
the workpiece. This shears the wood fibers in a
compressing action, and results in less tearout.
Aside from the increased risk for loss of control, a
drawback to climb-cutting is that the router bit will
tend to push the router away from the edge of the
workpiece. This can have two consequences regarding
the quality of the cut. First, the router will not cut as
deeply as expected. Secondly, the routed profile will
tend to have a scalloped surface, called chatter. To
overcome these conditions, it is typically necessary to
make a second, clean-up pass across the cut. This
second pass can be either in the climb-cut or push-cut
direction, at the operator’s discretion.
18 OF 2200 EB Router
Notes
►
Never let your guard down. Always be expecting the router
to catch, and think ahead of how you should best react to
the situation before it happens.
►
As with any power tool, respect the danger, but do not
operate the tool if you are afraid of the operation. Your
reactions will be diminished if you are afraid of the tool or
the procedure.
►
Instead of relying on your reaction-time to control the
router feed rate, use friction. By holding your forearm
(while grasping the router handle) firmly to the workpiece
you use friction to assist in keeping the router under
control.
►
Avoid climb-cutting with the router moving toward your
body. More control is possible with the router pulling away
from your body with your arms outstretched.
►
Use a push-cut for end grain. Climb-cutting end grain does
not improve the cut quality. The wood fibers are torn and
compressed, and the result is a rougher finish.
►
For materials that are prone to burning (such as cherry and
maple) climb-cutting reduces burning because the primary
cut is shearing the fibers.
►
Make multiple shallow passes when feasible.
►
In most cases, a final cleanup pass in the push-cut direction
results in the best finish.