Ryobi R180 - Manual (Page 13)

Page 13
FREEHAND ROUTING
See Figure 15.
When used freehand, your router becomes a flexible and
versatile tool. This flexibility makes it possible to easily rout
signs, relief sculptures, etc.
There are two basic techniques for freehand routing:
1. Routing letters, grooves, and patterns into wood. See
Figure 15.
2. Routing out the background, leaving the letters or
pattern raised above the surface.
When freehand routing, we suggest the following:
1. Draw or layout the pattern on workpiece.
2. Choose the appropriate cutter. NOTE: A core box or
V-groove bit is often used for routing letters and
engraving objects. Straight bits and ball mills are often
used to make relief carvings. Veining bits are used to
carve small, intricate details.
3. Rout the pattern in two or more passes. Make the first
pass at 25% of the desired depth of cut. This will
provide better control as well as being a guide for the
next pass.
4. Do not rout deeper than 1/8 in. (3.2 mm) per pass or
cut.
Fig. 16
ROUTING WITH STRAIGHT EDGE OF
SUBBASE AGAINST AN EDGE GUIDE
Fig. 15
FREEHAND ROUTING
OPERATION
WARNING:
Do not use large router bits for freehand routing. Use of
large router bits when freehand routing could cause loss
of control or create other hazardous conditions that could
cause possible serious personal injury. When using a UL
listed router table, large router bits should be used for
edging only. Do not use router bits that are larger in
diameter than the opening in router base for any purpose.
ROUTING WITH STRAIGHT EDGE OF SUBBASE
See Figure 16.
The subbase on your router has a straight edge. It should be
used when placing your router against an edge guide or
fence and routing grooves parallel to the fence.
WARNING:
Do not use with router tables that fail to conform to safe
woodworking practices and offer proper guarding for the
cutter. Failure to comply can result in an accident causing
possible serious injury.