How to prevent tear-out…
December 5, 2008 by admin
Filed under Router Tips
On our last tip we talked about how to position the pieces to avoid tear-out, nicks and notches. In this tip we talk about what if you can’t afford to have the tearout in certain places on your pieces. What then…we use extra measures to prevent the tear-out and this procedure is called creating a chip break .
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Where can I obtain the special material you seem to use for the so called “chip break”? And, do you then try to keep these for reuse or just make one for the special setting when you have such need?
1) The Material is called polyethylene and can be found at any plastics distributor. But Tom you don’t need special material to create the chip break use wood to make the fence.
2) Next question: It is tough to reuse because this operation needs the chip break to match the router bit shape and position and as soon as you remove the fence you loose the position.
This operation is for special circumstances that require perfect cuts on both surfaces. Usually you don’t need both surfaces to be perfect. The first tip showed how to control what surface is perfect and number two shows how to make both perfect.
Thanks, Rick
Rick,
So, this tip is basically shows the need for a zero clearance setup, right?
My fence has easily replaceable inserts, which simplifies this kind of setup, and your tip explains when and why it should be used.
Oh, and I’m glad to see the resizable video!
Well I was just thinking the same as Alan above that this is similar to the benefits of a zero clearance insert on a table saw.Enjoyed the test yourself quiz. How about posting results {anon} and where you score. Bring out the competitive element.