Router bit is burning the wood
#1
02-28-19, 10:58 AM
Router bit is burning the wood
Hi. A few months ago I purchased this router: https://www.harborfreight.com/14-in-...ter-62659.html and these bits: https://www.harborfreight.com/carbid...-pc-68869.html
It worked great a few months ago, but when I went to do some further cutting today (very soft wood of a pinewood derby car), I noticed that it was very difficult to move the router along the wood (in the past it was actually hard to control, now it was hard to move).
I forced it along for a little bit, but then noticed a burning smell and could see the wood turning black.
I immediately stopped, and there were literally some burning embers.
Any thoughts?
Thank you.
It worked great a few months ago, but when I went to do some further cutting today (very soft wood of a pinewood derby car), I noticed that it was very difficult to move the router along the wood (in the past it was actually hard to control, now it was hard to move).
I forced it along for a little bit, but then noticed a burning smell and could see the wood turning black.
I immediately stopped, and there were literally some burning embers.
Any thoughts?
Thank you.
#2
02-28-19, 11:24 AM
Super Moderator
Moved your post to Tools.
I would say it's the bit. Needs to be sharpened or replaced. Have you tried a new one? If it doesn't burn with a new one, then that's the answer.
I would say it's the bit. Needs to be sharpened or replaced. Have you tried a new one? If it doesn't burn with a new one, then that's the answer.
#3
02-28-19, 11:31 AM
Thanks. I haven't tried another one as I can't find the rest of the set, plus the others might be too big for the careful work I need to do. I'll see if I can find the others though and at least test it on some spare wood.
#4
02-28-19, 11:41 AM
Group Moderator
Get a new bit. Also make sure you are applying enough pressure to keep the bit moving through the wood. Even a sharp bit sitting in one place or moving too slowly can burn the wood.
#5
02-28-19, 12:06 PM
Forum Topic Moderator
Is there a build up of brown tars on bit. Clean bit with some tool cleaner , can be bought at a Woodworkers store or use something like simple green. Clean bit and try it.
#6
02-28-19, 12:12 PM
Could be. I'll take a look. I haven't used the bit much so it would be odd (although it was pretty cheap) for it to go bad, so maybe it did just get gunked up somehow... Thanks.
#8
02-28-19, 01:53 PM
Group Moderator
I agree it's the bit... but you also need to keep in mind that "trim routers" are just that... they are for very light trimming. You can't use them like a full size 2 or 3 hp router. They are good for trimming laminate and putting small roundovers on wood... not much more.
If you are trying to hog out a lot of wood with it, that is probably part of the problem.
If you are trying to hog out a lot of wood with it, that is probably part of the problem.
#9
02-28-19, 01:55 PM
I agree, most likely the bit. But a couple of other things to keep in mind. You need to keep your motion steady, as moving your router too slowly along the wood, lingering as I sometimes refer to it, can result in burning. Also, and this would more likely contribute to chipping and skipping than burning, although I think that it could be a factor, make sure that you are moving your router in the right direction along the piece. That's left to right when routing an edge directly in front of you, or right to left if you are shaping the edge away from you.
#10
02-28-19, 02:00 PM
Thanks everybody. Something definitely changed since the last time I used it a month or so ago to today. It used to go through the derby car like butter (really soft wood) and was really hard to control. Today, even with decent pressure, it was very hard to move through the wood. I'll try to clean the bit and see if it's gunked up.
#11
02-28-19, 02:05 PM
Group Moderator
You always push the router counterclockwise around an object. Going clockwise (against the direction of the spin) makes it hard to control because it wants to climb over the wood.
Last edited by XSleeper; 02-28-19 at 02:37 PM.
#13
02-28-19, 02:15 PM
I don't use a router often enough to remember the direction so I always make a pass with a scrap piece of wood to tell me which direction I need to go. Of course when I was younger I had a better memory 
#14
02-28-19, 02:34 PM
Group Moderator
If it helps you to remember it, just think of the old Norelco commercials... "lift, and cut". The router bit is only sharp when it is being pushed in the correct direction (left to right as aka pedro said) so it can "lift and cut". If you go the other way (right to left) it will cut but not as effectively... and might tend to burn if you try.
