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A Fixed Base Router is basically a tool used
to make grooves or scoop out indentations in the surface of wood and
other similar materials. This device is also used to mold edges, carve
grooves, cut joints, and radius a wooden item to the required
specifications. This kind of router is ideal for cutting out rabbets
that are slots in wooden items into which other wooden pieces can be
inserted, such as sliding drawers etc. Another kind of rabbet is the
groove cut into a window frame into which the glass can be inserted.
Fixed base routers can also be used to trim laminate flush as well as
Chamfer wood, offering a circular beveled edge. Common household
furniture can be further embellished to provide a three-dimensional
feel to the observer. In addition to its practical and functional uses,
a fixed base router can also be used to render an aesthetic touch to an
item. These tools find a place with both skilled professionals, such as
carpenters, glass and plastic manufacturers, and also with domestic
‘home-workshop’ enthusiasts.
Features and working of a fixed base router
The fixed based router generally consists of
a cylindrical case that houses the motor required to power the tool. A
hollow helical channel passes through this cylinder. The collet, a
hexagonal contraption, is located at the end of the cylinder and it,
firmly grips the tool bit in place. The bit is the component that
performs the actual cutting task. The bit can be removed or changed by
loosening the collet with a wrench and then tightening it again. The
protrusion of the bit through a sole base plate can adjusted. The size
and shape of the bit determines the shape of the thickness of the cut
that is scooped out from the material. The sole plate is most often
circular and is sometimes coupled with a Fence connected to the base of
the tool, which helps to place the tool flush against the edge of the
work piece. To ensure a straight cut, a straightedge can be fixed to
the work.
Unlike plunge based routers, in fixed base
routers, the cut depth is adjusted prior to turning on the tool. There
are two common cutting methods employed for these routers. One way
involves placing the sole plate on the work piece with the bit hanging
over the edge, pointing into space. After starting the motor, the tool
is moved such that the bit cuts the work, starting from the side. In
the other method, the sole plate is kept at a slant with the bit
hanging over the work piece. When the motor is started, the tool is
tilted to allow the bit to come in contact with the work, initiating
the cutting action.
The size and shape of router bits varies
depending on the task to be performed. Broadly, router bits are grouped
into two construction-based categories; high-speed steel bits and
carbide tipped bits. These bits can be further divided into three
types; edge bits, non-edge bits, and anti-kickback bits. Edge bits have
a small wheeled appendage that doubles up as a fence against the work
surface, facilitating edge molding. Non-edge bits have a standalone
fence attached to the work or the router. Anti-kickback bits help to
minimize the chance of a kickback during operation by incorporating a
packing below the tip of the bit to prevent the tip from biting too
deep into the surface. Bits have shank diameters ranging from half
inch, 12 mm, 10 mm, 3/8 inch, 8 mm, quarter inch, and 6 mm. The collet
size should be compatible with the bit shank.
Good fixed base routers use around 15 amps,
with a no-load speed of around 8,000 to 25,000 revolutions per minute.
While the body of the tool is often made of magnesium to combine
durability with light weight, the motor housing is mostly composed of
an aluminum construction to ensure long life. Most of the moving parts
in the router are rendered with ball-bearings to enhance smooth working
of the tool and also minimize wear and tear due to friction. Most fixed
based routers also have the Plunge Router facility, with the motor
transitioning between the two mechanisms as directed by the operator.
What to look for in a fixed base router
An intrinsic collet lock helps in quick and
easy changing of bits. Sometimes, during startup, the more powerful
routers generate sudden large torque, which could jerk the user’s wrist
and cause the cutting line to go haywire. This can be avoided with the
‘soft start’ feature available in most routers today.
A macro-height lever enables coarse
adjustments and facilitates tool-less motor release. A micro-adjustment
knob enables the user to control the working depth of the tool for
sharper cuts. A built-in work light enhances accuracy by providing the
user clear visibility. A soft grip handle provides greater comfort for
the user and prevents fatigue during prolonged use.
Some reputed
manufacturers of fixed base routers include Bosch, Dewalt, Porter
Cable, and Skil.
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