CANMIL said:I have a stupid question. How do you tell which way your router turns. When I'm looking at my router and the Brand name faces me is that the proper positon. IE: If i'm looking at the brand name and want to go counter-clockwise on a outside edge is this the proper way so that the router turns in into the wood. I'm really feeling stupid for asking this but I keep getting confused and end up with not always clean cuts.
Thanks for the help and the patience,
Gord
This reminded me of a little trick I learned a while back. Whenever I have to stop and think about the right direction to feed the router, all I do is look down at my right hand. I simply hold my right hand with the knuckles up and my thumb extended out, see drawing. Then I orient my hand so my thumb is pointing to the edge of the workpiece or the edge of the fence. My index finger will automatically be pointing in the direction I need to move the router.
By the way, this also works with a router table, as well. But since the router is suspended upside-down, I simply flip my hand over, so it's also upside-down. This time, when my thumb points to the router bit, my finger points in the direction I need to feed the workpiece, which is usually right to left.
Have a great weekend,
Jon Garbison
Online Editor, Woodsmith
