Router Table Safety and Operation Guidelines

Vocabulary flashcards covering router table safety, tool operation, setup procedures, limits, and bit categories based on shop lecture notes.

Router Table Safety Exam Requirement

Students MUST score $100\%$ on safety exams for the router table before being allowed to use it.

Instructor Supervision Rule

Mr. Zubot MUST watch a student use the router table the first three times they use it.

Minimum Board Length Limit

Do not rout boards shorter than $6''$ or $150\,\text{mm}$.

Minimum Board Width Limit

Do not rout boards narrower than $1''$ or $25\,\text{mm}$.

Minimum Board Thickness Limit

Do not rout boards thinner than $\frac{1}{4}''$ or $12\,\text{mm}$.

Margin of Safety (Fingers)

While technically a $2''$ or $50\,\text{mm}$ margin of safety exists, best practice requires keeping fingers at least $6''$ or $130\,\text{mm}$ away from the bit at all times.

Proper Machine Unplugging Procedure

Always disconnect the router table by pulling directly on the plug, never on the cord, before making adjustments or leaving the machine.

Collet Loosening Method

Hold the bottom wrench steady while turning the top wrench counter-clockwise.

Collet Tightening Method

Hold the lower wrench steady and rotate the upper wrench clockwise until snug without over-tightening.

Bit Installation Distance Above Collet

Hold the chosen bit $\frac{1}{4}''$ or $6\,\text{mm}$ above the collet; placing it lower risks damage, and placing it higher puts excessive pressure on the shank.

Detail Bits

A category of router bits that utilize a bearing to guide the wood along the fence setup.

Detail Bit Fence Alignment

Position both the infeed and outfeed fences directly in line with the bearing on the bit.

Splintering Reduction Sequence

When profiling all four sides of a board, begin with the end grain on both ends and finish with the edges to clean up end-grain splintering.

Cutting Bits

A category of router bits that have no bearing to guide the wood, requiring careful fence positioning by the instructor and routing in multiple passes.

Multiple Passes Procedure

Making cuts in multiple incremental passes with cutting bits to prevent the bit from overheating, burning, and dulling.

Solid Wood Pre-Routing Inspection

Solid wood must never be routed unless it has been jointed and planed first, and checked for loose knots, splits, and foreign objects (glue, nails, staples, screws, rocks).

Feed Direction

Feed stock into the bit strictly from right to left; feeding left to right or placing stock between the bit and fence causes kickback.

Kickback Danger Zone

The area directly to the right of the stock being fed into the router table, where operators must NEVER stand.

Narrow Stock End Grain Routing

End grain on narrow stock must never be routed freehand; a miter gauge or specific jig must be used to hold the stock square to the bit.

Common Router Bit Types

Includes Dado/Rabbet, Surfacing, Straight, Dovetail, Spiral Up-Cut, Chamfer, Corner Round, Cove, and Roman Ogee.