Hi there,
I'm relatively new to working with a router table. I wanted to make some box joints. I made a jig after watching a bunch of videos. My plan was to use a 1/2" straight bit on 1/2" maple and walnut. I've been trying to test the jig - things don't line up yet but I'm close - the real problem though is that routing a 1/2" joint all at once is generating a lot of smoke and some burning. I'm not going super slow, and if I try to speed it up, the whole pin breaks off or starts to break. I've read that normally you'd make shallow passes of say 1/8"...but with the box joint jig, I'm using a 1/2" key. You can't really do a shallow pass. In the videos I've seen, people don't seem to have an issue doing it all in one pass. Can anyone give me some tips on what I might be doing wrong??
(My router is a new Ryobi - not variable speed if that matters. The bit was a new Ryobi straight bit...seemed sharp enough). Thanks in advance.)
Larry
I'm relatively new to working with a router table. I wanted to make some box joints. I made a jig after watching a bunch of videos. My plan was to use a 1/2" straight bit on 1/2" maple and walnut. I've been trying to test the jig - things don't line up yet but I'm close - the real problem though is that routing a 1/2" joint all at once is generating a lot of smoke and some burning. I'm not going super slow, and if I try to speed it up, the whole pin breaks off or starts to break. I've read that normally you'd make shallow passes of say 1/8"...but with the box joint jig, I'm using a 1/2" key. You can't really do a shallow pass. In the videos I've seen, people don't seem to have an issue doing it all in one pass. Can anyone give me some tips on what I might be doing wrong??
(My router is a new Ryobi - not variable speed if that matters. The bit was a new Ryobi straight bit...seemed sharp enough). Thanks in advance.)
Larry