Most of the handy homeowners together with DIY individuals who have at one point worked on improvement projects have at one point encountered situations where they can only use a router to cut in. The router is a carpentry power tool that offers versatility that few other power tools can offer. The router bits are an excellent tool for custom engraving, mortising door hardware, joinery, and lots of other essential functions. Despite being limited to a handful of cut-and-dry categories, it is important that you know how to change a router bit.
In this article, we will be taking you through the process of changing a router bit.
Step BY Step Guide on How to Change a Router Bit
Here is a step-by-step guide you should follow to ensure the successful changing of router bit.
Ensure you unplug the Router Bit
The first step is to switch off the router before you embark on the process of changing the router bit. Failure to do this can lead to serious accident or injury. Hence, it is advisable that you always confirm the router is not switched on.
Loose the Old Router Bit
You can now start loosening the old router bit you intend to change. After loosening it, pull out the bit. You can always use a rag to help protect your fingers from being cut. Consider tapping the bit with a heavy or strong material to help free it when it is stuck. Once it is free, you can now remove it with ease.
Ensure you loosen the old router bit with lots of care to avoid getting hurt of causing damage to the router. One wrench will be working on the router shaft while the other works for locking the nut holding the router bit in place. The first wrench will help hold the shaft while the second wrench loosens the locking nut.
Lift the Router
After loosening the router, you will have to lift it high to enable you remove the collect above the table. You will achieve this by using a router lift. There are routers which do not require a router lift. If your router is of such a type, all you will have to do is remove the router motor from the base and change the router bit. The procedure is quite simple as changing the portable router. Collet refers to a piece that holds the router in position.
Remove Collet
Despite this being not that necessary, it will help in increasing the lifespan of the equipment. It is important that you always remove the collect and clean down the entire place removing sawdust and dirt that may have assembled in the collet. This will help in improving the overall performance of the router and keeping the collet in an excellent condition.
Fix the New Router Bit
When you lift the collet, there will be an opening in the router. Slide in the new router bit in the opening. Make adjustment to it until when it bottoms out. There are routers which will require you to remove the insert plates. When you are in a position of getting the collet up above the router table, you can now remove the insert plate. After removing this plate, you can now change the router bit.
Tighten the Bit
After successfully changing the router bit, the nest step is to tighten the bit. To ensure you successfully tighten it, pull the bit up 1/8 inch. This will enable the collet to tighten around the bit. After tightening the bit, tighten the locking nut securely to the router.
Crank the Router Back Down
After changing the router bit, you now have to mount the router back to the router table. You will have to crank the router back down and thereafter set the appropriate and proper router height you will be using.
It does not matter if you are replacing the woodworking bits for routers, you will use the same procedure.
Different Types of Router Bits
There are different router bits in the market. In this section, we will be explaining some of the common router bits you should always keep an eye on when in the market for one.
Flush Trim Router Bits
The flush trim router bits are of flush trim style. It is mainly used in trimming the one material flush with another. One ideal make is the 3 wing, 6600 series slotting cutter which is specifically designed for flush trimming materials that are up to ¾ inch deep and can also be used on aluminum, plastic and wood. To ensure you get the best from this bit, it is important that you know how to use a flush trim router bit properly.
Dremel Router Bits
The Dremel Router Bits is an excellent router bit that is mainly used for inlaying, routing and mortising in woods and other types of soft materials. It places a decorative edge on the wood and is perfect in making miniature molding. To ensure you get the best from this route, ensure you know how to use dremel router bits properly.
Dovetail Router Bit
The Dovetail Router Bit is an excellent router bit that was specifically designed for use in woodworking to help in creating dovetail joints that are used in connecting two wood pieces at the right angle. This router bit comes with a cutting edge that is resembles dovetail shape.
A dovetail router bit is a specialized cutting tool used in woodworking to create dovetail joints, which are used to connect two pieces of wood at right angles. The router bit has a cutting edge that is shaped like a dovetail, with angled sides that create a wedge-shaped groove when the bit is used to cut into wood. To ensure you get the right results, it is important that you know how to use a dovetail router bit effectively.
Edge Forming Bits
Edge Forming Bits were specifically designed to help in decorating edges. However, Edge Forming Bits are of different types. A good example is the Ogee bits which are specifically used in cutting different variations of s-shaped profile or cove bits that are used in cutting concave quarter circle. To ensure you get the desired results, it is important that you know how to use a dovetail router bit properly.
Straight Bits
The straight bits are mainly considered to be a staple for the workshop as they are very common in such places. It is an important tool for projects that need formation of a groove in material. It works by cutting straight into material forming a groove or dado. A dado is a groove that is cut across the wood grain. Straight bits are also used for hollowing out an area for mortise or inlay. They are of great benefit since they are available in different diameters and lengths.
Best Screwdriver Bit Set Reviews and Buyers Guide
Conclusion
There you have it! We hope this article has been of great help in helping you know how to change a router bit and how to use router bits and more about router bits. However, you should never panic if you find it quite challenging to change a router bit on the first time. After some you will get used to it after several attempts.
