setting router depth for roundover bits

[dicktill]

Hi,

Please excuse if this has been covered before (couldn't find it when searching), but I have a lot of difficulty setting the proper depth of a roundover bit on my OF 1400 and OF 1010 routers. I don't see an answer to it in Rick Christopherson's excellent OF 1400 manual either, although I do see how you can use the micro-adjuster to set it by trial-and-error (more towards the error side on my part).

Thanks, Dick

 

[semenza]

I flip it on it's top get it close then extend a flat straight edge (something that will stand on it's own like a set up block)  to the bit and adjust the cutting edge to that.

Seth

 

[dicktill]

I flip it on it's top get it close then extend a flat straight edge (something that will stand on it's own like a set up block)  to the bit and adjust the cutting edge to that.

Seth

Hi Seth,

I've tried that with little success. Seems every time I loosen the plunge lock, the router "jumps". If I leave the plunge lock unlocked, I just can't seem to get a smooth and slight movement. Maybe the plunge rods need new/different lube or I need more muscle, or ...

Thanks, Dick

 

[Sparktrician]

Do a rough setting by eye, then drop the depth stop post to one of the three posts on the depth stop turret.  Make a test pass to determine if the bit is too high or too low.  If it's too high, use the plunge stop micro-adjust knob to raise the depth stop post by tenths of a millimeter, then loosen the plunge lock knob and lower the router until the depth stop rod makes contact with the turret, tighten the plunge lock knob and make another test pass.  If it's too low, set the depth stop rod to the top of one of the turret screws, loosen the plunge lock knob, and use the micro-adjust knob to lower the depth stop post by the amount you need.  Lower the router until the depth stop rod makes contact with the turret, tighten the plunge lock knob and make another pass.  I much prefer the way this is done on the OF 2200. 

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

I hope this isn't taken as insulting, but I just wanted to share a video that Gregory Paolini did on setting the depth on the OF 1400. With this technique and a straight edge, like Seth suggested, you should be able to precisely dial in the depth.

 

[gkaiseril]

It is always good to review the basics.

Beyond the using the turrets and the stop rod, one can also create/buy setup blocks of the profile bits. Once you get the bit set with the desired profile, route the profile on a stable wood block or plastic block and note the type of profile and bit  used. For the round over bit you might want 2 blocks or the profile on 2 sides. One with just the round over and the second with the round over and shoulder. Now when you need to set the depth, bring out the sample block and use it to set the bit height. This should work for using a fixed base, plunge base, and router table. Yes, you will have to use trial and error to get to the desired depth but once you are there make a gauge for that setup. The setup block should also work with other router models since it is measuring from the base to the cutter's profile.

Some routers have a micro height adjustment or fine height adjustment that can help fine tune the depth of cut.

 

[dicktill]

I hope this isn't taken as insulting, but I just wanted to share a video that Gregory Paolini did on setting the depth on the OF 1400. With this technique and a straight edge, like Seth suggested, you should be able to precisely dial in the depth.

Hi Shane,

Not insulting at all, just part of my continuing education! Will be a tad more difficult with the roundover bit, but not impossible: I just need to accurately measure the distance from the bottom of the socket head capscrew (that holds the pilot bearing on) to the horizontal part of the cutting surface, and set that distance on the guide rod (after performing "the three zeroes" that Greg shows in the video). That should get me very close, and then I should be able to fine-tune up-down with the micro-adjuster. I was making the exact mistake that Greg pointed out, i.e., I was not leaving a clearance on the adjusting rod.

Thanks to all who replied, Dick

 

[Stoli]

One of the issues I have with the of1400 is the turret.  It has play of about 0.010" due to the spring loaded detent underneath it.  The way this effects the depth setting is that when you make your initial setting and drop the rod onto the turret, the turret is in its "high" position being pushed up by the spring.  Then, if you release the router and make adjustments to the depth stop, when you replunge you will tend to push the turret to the "low" position. 

The way around this is to push down on the depth stop rod to full depress the turret down.