Thread: Does feed direction matter when there is material around the bit?

It was not a very clear explanation by him.

When routing with material all around the bit the direction of cut is important as you want the cut to push the timber against the fence. In a mortise at the begining of the cut the very end cut is in the opposite direction and could cause the router fence to kick away from the timber.

That is why he recommends that you plunge cut the two ends to the full depth and then avoid cutting the end again.

I see. So if you are going left to right, which side should the fence be so that the bit is pushing the material towards the fence? The side towards you?

Correct.

Sorry, I know my questions could get getting tedious, but I just want to be sure as its a matter of safety.

If I wish to have the fence router fence on the far side, I should cut right to left

And then it comes to clamping down a straight edge as a guide for the router, it is the opposite? IE if I clamp down a straight edge between me and the router, I should go right to left?

You want it so the side nearer the fence is not back-cutting.