Popular Woodworking 2000-11 № 118, страница 53
The DeWalt 621 is one of only a handful of routers that offers built-in dust collection. And it works well. sleeve compresses the inner sleeve, which then grasps the bit. If a router is provided with two collet sizes, either just the inner sleeve or both the sleeve and nut assembly are simply switched to hold the appropriately sized shank. The tightening mechanism may be two wrenches turned in opposite directions. We're partial to spindle locks, which use a single wrench to loosen or tighten the collet nut. That's because there's one less wrench to lose, and we find spindle locks faster and easier to loosen and tighten. However, not everyone feels this way. Available just recently as an after-market accessory is Jacob's PowerCollet which requires no wrenches. While offering a certain amount of convenience, these wrenchless collets still haven't become standard equipment on many tools. In any fixed-base or plunge router, look for both a 1/4" and V2" collet, except for on the largest of routers, which are 1/2" collet only. Variable Speed In any router packing more than 8 amps, variable speed control can help the router perform better with larger bits. Big bits, such as panel raising or large profile bits, cut better at lower rpms. Smaller bits cut better at higher speeds. Soft-Start A number of routers now offer what is known as a "soft-start" motor that starts the rpms at a lower speed and then ramps up to full speed. The benefit to this feature is safety. Often a router will jerk when started at full power. If the router is touching the workpiece the wood can be damaged, or the router can "walk" and be pulled from your grasp. Depth Controls There are almost as many ways to adjust the depth on routers as there are manufacturers. Most have managed to do away with extra tools, but many still use a wing-nut arrangement to loosen and tighten the base for adjustment. Some of the newest models use a tension buckle that's fast and secure. In general, you adjust the height of the bit in a fixed-base router by sliding or rotating the motor in a threaded sleeve, which is attached to the base. There are usually indicator marks of some type to help determine the depth, but fine adjustment still comes down to loosening the base and messing with it until it's right. In plunge routers, the motor sits on springs in the base. These springs allow you to plunge, and they also push the motor back up when you're done plunging. Height adjustment is frequently controlled by adjustable stops that limit the up-and-down travel of the motor. The better plunge routers offer fine-adjustment features that allow you to fix the depth roughly and then easily fine-tune the height. Without knowing your specific needs, we recommend you take a moment during shopping to adjust and set the height on the routers you're interested in to see how convenient the process is for you. Other Options Another thing to consider is how easily the base plate can be replaced, and if it will easily accept template guides and edge guides. Though you may not be planning on using these guides when you buy the router, you don't want to limit yourself. Template guides reduce the size of the opening in the base, and some bits will not fit through that opening, so buy an extra base plate with a larger hole. Dust Collection Only a few routers are designed with built-in dust collection as a feature, and only a few of them have figured it out so that it isn't in the way. There are a couple of after-market collectors that can be added to a router to provide dust collection, but again, these are more of a hindrance to operation than a health benefit. Dust collection on a router is a great idea, but it can be complicated and intrusive to your cut. In any case, make sure that you have a shop vacuum or dust collector capable of keeping up with the volume of dust created by your router. PW
14 Popular Woodworking November 2000 |
