Halfround router bit

[charley1968]

Hi 
i purchased a halfround router bit with a radius of 12,5 mm recently. I realised that i'm a wee bit apprehensive about using it in the router table, reason being: the top of the router bit is 'covering' the workpiece, that means i can't use the featherboard and holding it (the workpiece ) down in the vicinity of the bit makes me ...afraid.
Have you got any tips using big, halfround router bits, besides  taking it easy on the routing depth?
Best regards: Andi

 

[Sparktrician]

By all means, use a push stick and a horizontal featherboard (if possible).  You might want to make several passes through the bit, taking a little bit more each time. 

 

[charley1968]

Sure will do. Contemplating a barge pole, with a bit this size..
Thanks, Mr. Sparktrician.

 

[Sparktrician]

Maybe a fresh diaper before you get started with the barge pole... 

  [poke]  [big grin]  [scared]  [big grin]

 

[rst]

I use down pressure feather boards on both sides of the bit as close as possible and also lateral feather boards also.

 

[ear3]

That's the way I do it when I have a bit whose top is exposed.  Just be careful when feeding with the push stick.

You may run into problems on the outfeed side since the bit will likely have trimmed the edge riding against the fence -- unless you align the fence so that the board just touches the innermost part of the concavity.  If you have a split fence you can bring in the outfeed side a bit to catch the edge -- otherwise the back end of the cut will get a bit screwy (so make sure to cut the piece you're routing oversize in case you have to trim off the back edge).

Another remedy is to attach a piece of scrap to the top of the board with double stick tape, which will allow it to ride that scrap edge across the entire length of the fence.  Additional benefit will be that the top of the bit will remain covered by the scrap piece.

I use down pressure feather boards on both sides of the bit as close as possible and also lateral feather boards also.

 

[charley1968]

@ Sparky:  [big grin] [big grin] [embarassed] [big grin] LMAO Before RMFO (laughing my a.. off, Before Routing My Fingers Off)
@ RST: I think the CMS' featherboard  with downward pressure can't be 'moved out',i.e. it's always quite close to the fence.
But i'd be delighted if you could show me a pic of your set-up!

 

[charley1968]

@ Edward: Splendid idea, the one about scrapwood on top off the workpiece.