quick router speed question

[acacia987]

since a 3/4" round over bit has a bit diameter greater then an inch, does everyone use a slower speed on the router? Or maybe not cause MDF is not a hard wood. I am looking to buy a router and i am just trying to figure out if i really need to get a variable speed one.

[jquin]

I've used massive round over bits 1.25" from memory and run it at full speed in MDF. As long as you take it in passes and are sensible I can't see an issue.

[---k---]

Yeah, I slow it down a little. The high speed whirl is just scary. I adjust it till it sounds "right". Not sure it is possible to tell you the exact setting to use. You just need to experiment on some scrap to see what works best - though with MDF burning is less of a worry.

[ThomasW]

Regardless of the bit being used it's a good idea to have a variable speed router.

[Bill Schneider]

Here's information about maximum speeds vs. router bit diameter found in a quick Google search...

http://www.newwoodworker.com/rtrbitspds.html

I agree that variable speeds are useful even if you don't use large bits.

[BOBinGA]

This may be obvious, but get a router with a half inch chuck. 3/4" roundover bits are all half inch.

-Bob

[Mazeroth]

I have two variable speed routers and I'm constantly changing the speed on them until cutting feels "right". As said above, when using a large diameter roundover you'll want to make at least two passes.

[acacia987]

thanks for all the good info. it looks like i should consider a variable speed router instead of a fixed.

[JonMarsh]

thanks for all the good info. it looks like i should consider a variable speed router instead of a fixed.

VERY much so. The beefier and torquier, and better balanced, the better- but you can do OK even with a moderate price Ryobi. I have two Hitachi 3-1/2 HP M12V's that I love(there's a newer version available, M12V2), but I also have a 2 HP Ryobi with 1/2" collet and soft start, an RE180PL1 plunge router for less demanding tasks that works fine- but just checking online it doesn't seem available anymore.

But those are the features I'd look for. I use a DeWalt 621 dedicated to a jasper jig, and that's quite popular with folks on this forum, too.

[chasw98]

Have you ever heard the term 'feeds and speeds'? In CNC programming there are 4 variables to look for and they determine how much/fast you can go. 01) The material you are cutting, 02) The cutter you are using to cut, 03) The rotational speed of the cutter, and 04) How much material you are taking off at once. You can cut very quickly with a high speed cutter only taking .001" at a pass, but that will take you a year to take off an inch. So you have to balance material and cutters with "speeds and feeds". Now in CNC programming where you are programming for efficiency and trying to make a given part in the shortest amount of time without breaking bits is much different than us making a hole at home, but you get the idea. It is all a trade off and a balance to be achieved. Don't forget ear protection and safety glasses.

[lexiphanic]

Don't forget ear protection and safety glasses.

Some sort of breathing protection too. MDF is bad stuff.