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Router SafetyJan 27 '00 Write an essay on this topic.This is just to outline a few concerns for the beginner router user to avoid a mishap: In general, a router is a great tool. It can be used for many things and turns out excellent product when set up properly and used precisely. It can also remove vast quantities of wood by accident with one little slip. Above all the router should, despite its size, be one of the most respected tools you have from a safety standpoint. A router runs very fast; most running in the neighborhood of 20,000rpm or greater. This great speed results in a fine finished workpiece, but can also result in one less finger before you even know what happened. Here are my top tips: 1. Wear safety glasses. Sometimes when involved in a project and needing to do "just one more little cut" a person bypasses the eyewear. Protect those eyes, splinters or other materials can leave the router/workpiece like a bullet. 2. Check the bit for tightness before continuing on a project started earlier. You would be surprised what a little change in temperature can do to the tightness of the collet on your bit. At 20,000+rpm, you don't want that bit to come out! 3. Clamp workpiece securely (when using a plunge or D-handle apart from a router table). The power and speed of a router can send an unsecured workpiece into your groin in a rather unpleasant manner. Also, don't even think about one of those rubber mats that "holds" the workpiece "securely" without clamping; think about it, do you trust a sticky surface to hold against 1.5HP+ @ 20,000+ RPM? (They're your testicles) 4. Hold workpiece firmly (when using a router table). Also make sure and feed against the rotation of the bit, or you will get a response similar to feeding a tablesaw backwards. 5. Finally, use common sense: Unplug after use and when changing bits. Be careful with bits when installing/removing they're sharp!  |
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