by Oddbod »
Wed Nov 14, 2007 9:03 am
Hi, Perrys advice is good, as is property mans. Unfortunately in this case I suspect the skirting won't be wide enough to clamp a batten to it - which is a shame 'cos that is exactly what to do if you can!
What you are doing should work, so I suspect you just need to get used to it. The following tips might help.
Routers - even the small ones - are dangerous beasties. Treat them with respect! Until you have some experience keep BOTH hands on the router
Which means finding a way to clamp the skirting firmly. If you cant clamp it in the workmate drill a couple of small holes thru it and nail it down. Fill the holes with filler later. (Don't rout thru the nail!!)
Take small cuts, no more than 3mm deep at one go, get a deep cut in multiple passes
Steel cutters will blunt quickly on MDF, use TCT ones. When it gets blunt (it starts burning the MDF) change it.
There is a right way and a wrong way to move the router. The rotation of the cutter will either pull it away from the fence or pull it into the fence depending on whether you move it left to right or right to left. Basically move it so the cutter cuts into the wood, not out of it - so you are pushing the router into the work, the router shouldn't pull itself through.
Don't force it, small cutters break easily.
Good luck.