Ridgid R2401 Operation Manual - Page 11

OPERATION Under extreme force-feeding conditions, the relative speed of the cutter can become so slow-and the bites it has to take so large-that chips will be partially knocked off rather than fully cut off. This will result in splintering and gouging of the workpiece. TOO SLOW FEEDING See Figure 11, page 15. When the trim router is advanced into the work too slowly, the revolving cutter does not dig into new wood fast enough to take a bite; instead, it scrapes away sawdust-like particles. Scraping produces heat, which can glaze, burn, or mar the cut, and can overheat the cutter. Dull cutters can also contribute to scraping and burning. It is more difficult to control a trim router when the cutter is scraping instead of cutting. With practically no load on the motor, the cutter will be revolving near top RPM, and will have a greater than normal tendency to bounce off the sides of the cut, especially if the wood has a pronounced grain with hard and soft areas. The cut that results may have rippled sides instead of straight. DEPTH OF CUT See Figure 12, page 15. Depth of cut affects the rate of feed and the quality of a cut. Using the proper depth of cut can lessen the possibility of damage to the trim router motor and cutter. A deeper cut requires a slower feed than a shallow one. Making a cut that is too deep will slow the feed so that the cutter is scraping, rather than cutting, and is not recommended. A too-deep cut can cause smaller cutters to be broken off. Cutters that are 1/16 in. in diameter are easily broken off when subjected to too much side thrust. A larger cutter is not as likely to break, but attempting a cut that is too deep may result in a rough cut, and may make it difficult to guide and control the cutter as desired. It is recommended that you do not exceed 1/8 in. depth of cut in a single pass, regardless of the cutter size or the softness or condition of the workpiece. This will result in a higher quality cut. To make deeper cuts, it is necessary to make as many successive passes as required, lowering the cutter 1/8 in. for each new pass. To save time, perform all the cutting necessary at one depth setting, then lower the cutter for the next pass. This will assure uniform depth when the final pass is completed. WARNING: If the desired depth of cut is greater than can be safely cut in one pass, make cuts in two or more passes. Do not remove more than 1/8 in. in a single pass. Excessive depth of cut can result in loss of control and the possibility of serious personal injury. SETting DEPTH OF CUT See Figure 13, page 15. n Unplug the trim router. n Pull the quick release lever to the open position. n Depress and hold the motor release lever. n Slide the motor housing section of the trim router away from the base until the tip of the cutter reaches the work surface. The depth of cut is zero at this point. Release the motor release lever. Note: Large depth of cut adjustments can be made using the motor release lever. n Using the micro depth adjustment knob, adjust the position of the trim router to obtain the desired depth of cut. To move the motor housing down, turn the micro depth adjustment knob toward the "down" arrow to the side of the knob. Note: To set the cutting depth to zero, hold the trim router in place and turn the micro depth adjustment knob until it reads "0". n The cutter depth can be read on the depth scale on the motor housing. Each mark on the scale indicates a 1/16 in. change in depth setting. Use the top edge of the diecast base (depth indicator) as reference when setting depth of cut. n When the desired depth of cut is reached. Push the quick release lever to the closed position to lock the cutter in place. WARNING: Avoid open area of trim router base. Serious personal injury will result from contact with a rotating cutter. using edge guide See Figures 14 and 15, page 15 - 16. Use the edge guide to trim or cut a straight or curved edge. n Unplug the trim router. n Thread guide bars into the base and tighten with a flat head screwdriver. n Slide the edge guide onto the guide bars. n Install thumb screws provided into the edge guide. n Measure the proper distance to offset the cutter, or if trim- ming, position the cutter at the edge of the workpiece. n Tighten the two thumb screws to secure the edge guide. n Move the trim router along the workpiece keeping the edge guide in constant contact with edge of the workpiece. 11 - English