Thread: Is this bit too big for my router ?

I used one that size in a Makita 3600BR yesterday. It handled it fine. Sneak up on the cut if you can. I was using it in a table set up not free hand. Rounding over the edges of the vice jaws so was cutting end grain too.

ta mate. I'll give it a go.

I'd do it in multiple passes too - running that all at once without a power feed sounds scary

PLEASE confirm that you're going to use that in a TABLE - this sort of operation should NEVER be attempted freehand.

Ray

Originally Posted by rayintheuk

PLEASE confirm that you're going to use that in a TABLE - this sort of operation should NEVER be attempted freehand.

Ray

Personally I think running it in multiple (at least 5) passes would be safe to do by hand. If you're only taking a bit at a time there won't be much kick

The fact that it's a profiling bit means that more than half the router is "hanging over the edge," giving less support to the router base on the workpiece. That size of bit has considerable mass and - when spinning - will have a significant gyroscopic effect.

The slightest malfunction will not only ruin the edge, but could cause a significant dig-in. All bit manufacturers I've dealt with have specific warnings about this type of bit, its use in a table and the requirement for variable speed.

I would never suggest to someone else that they take a risk I would not be prepared to take myself.

Ray

Originally Posted by rayintheuk

The fact that it's a profiling bit means that more than half the router is "hanging over the edge," giving less support to the router base on the workpiece. That size of bit has considerable mass and - when spinning - will have a significant gyroscopic effect.

The slightest malfunction will not only ruin the edge, but could cause a significant dig-in. All bit manufacturers I've dealt with have specific warnings about this type of bit, its use in a table and the requirement for variable speed.

I would never suggest to someone else that they take a risk I would not be prepared to take myself.

Ray

you reakon,,,could be right.

I don't think control will be too big a problem with a wider base and my left hand gripping half the base and 3 fingers dragging on the stock. I'm confident about that.....just lock up my whole upper body. Do that with a long flush bit with my templates all the time.

but I don't have variable speed on my router...I didn't think of that ... ... at that speed you think the outer parts of the blades are going to burn since they'll be turning at hyperspeed.......that really give me the #####. expensive bit.

From a trusted manufacturer's web pages, regarding that type of cutter:

N.B. THESE ARE LARGE DIAMETER CUTTERS FOR USE IN FIXED HEAD MACHINES ONLY AND AT 12,000 rpm MAXIMUM SPEED.

The fact that you don't have variable speed just raises the risk bar even higher - I wouldn't even attempt to use that size cutter other than in a table and - in my opinion - you'd be raving mad to try it. I urge you to think again about doing this. There's nothing "macho" in losing body parts!

Ray

Originally Posted by rayintheuk

From a trusted manufacturer's web pages, regarding that type of cutter:

N.B. THESE ARE LARGE DIAMETER CUTTERS FOR USE IN FIXED HEAD MACHINES ONLY AND AT 12,000 rpm MAXIMUM SPEED.

The fact that you don't have variable speed just raises the risk bar even higher - I wouldn't even attempt to use that size cutter other than in a table and - in my opinion - you'd be raving mad to try it. I urge you to think again about doing this. There's nothing "macho" in losing body parts!

Ray

thanks for your concern. Honestly. appreciate it.

I'm not trying to be macho though. Its just that....I don't have a table at the moment, and don't have any plans to setup a table.....and actually feel safer to be honest freehand because I know my hands are safe on handles or on a side grip. If it catches I wont die. I know that. The worst that can happen to the wood is it'll churn up the timber and make a really bad cut. imo.

Thats fine, what I was worried about is it screwing up the router or the bit because it throwing so much weight...because this will be a permanent setup and get a fair bit of use. .....NCARcher back there said he pulled it off ok on his table. Wonder if he had his Makita 3600BR on variable speed when he used it on the table ? Do makita 3600BR's have variable speed ?

Originally Posted by apricotripper

you reakon,,,could be right.

I don't think control will be too big a problem with a wider base and my left hand gripping half the base and 3 fingers dragging on the stock. I'm confident about that.....just lock up my whole upper body. Do that with a long flush bit with my templates all the time.

but I don't have variable speed on my router...I didn't think of that ... ... at that speed you think the outer parts of the blades are going to burn since they'll be turning at hyperspeed.......that really give me the #####. expensive bit.

How about two hands on the machine!

The stock might get a bit damaged but that is repairable / replaceable - repairing you is difficult, replacing parts of you extremly difficult, replacing you - impossible.

Safety first and always.

If you can use a table do so.
If the work is too big for a table eg a table top take extreme care. It could be worth investing in a variable speed router just for that bit.

Originally Posted by Handyjack

How about two hands on the machine!

The stock might get a bit damaged but that is repairable / replaceable - repairing you is difficult, replacing parts of you extremly difficult, replacing you - impossible.

Safety first and always.

If you can use a table do so.
If the work is too big for a table eg a table top take extreme care. It could be worth investing in a variable speed router just for that bit.

2 hands will be on the machine...right hand on handle.....left hand on a long base on a grip of sorts which is grabbed with thumb and forefinger (which is attached to the machine)......middle,ring and pinky drag on the stock (got long nails they should bite into the timber) can take fine cuts controllably I've found cause you've got contact with the timber as well.

what I want to know is........ will the router or bit get damaged from throwing excess weight at too high a speed. will the bit burn ?

Perhaps "macho" wasn't a good word choice, but I was trying to avoid using "foolhardy."

The manufacturers of these bits put out safety info for a reason and disregarding it can lead to any number of later "if only ...... " conversations. You may well feel safe and capable - if you do, that's fine. However, that won't account for the possibility of the collet in the router not standing up to the inertia created by that high-speed spinning mass and if that lets go you will NOT have any warning or possibility of avoidance - it will let go in a spectacular fashion. I do not want to be in the same room as that lump whanging about on its own.

The bit is also designed with specific engineering tolerances, one of which, I suspect, is the ability of the bit to retain its carbide edges when in contact with a workpiece above its recommended speed. Again, bits of flying carbide inflict serious injury to soft bits, especially eyes and arms.

The bottom line here, Jake, is that I'm not trying to be a scaremonger or a whinging pom, I'm just saying that - in MY opinion (based on considerable routing experience) it is a dangerous venture which I wouldn't attempt and I would never recommend anyone else to attempt. I wouldn't do it freehand if I was using a router that was big enough AND had variable speed, so using your machine would come somewhere close on the list to feeding hungry alligators.

You will - in the end - do what you want, based on your own assessment. All I'm trying to do is to point out the (what I consider to be severe) risks.

Ray

I wanted a large round over for a piece that I was doing and ended up purchasing one of those bit.

I had the router in the table but the bit was too big for the hole in the table. So I made another top with a larger hole and proceeded to make the cuts, with the router at the slowest speed. Got sort of what I needed but did not like the test cuts. So ended up doing a round over by hand with the planes.

The bit is in storage.

thanks Ray, thats ok.

all right, so I can't do it over 12000rpm because it'll explode like a granede. Can I borrow some money to buy a variable speed router ? ......