byegge Posted February 3, 2016 Report Share Posted February 3, 2016 Hey everyone quick question on cutting Dado or groove with a router. Does the left to right rule still apply. I have done plenty of router work when it comes to edges but only cut grooves on my last project. I went right to left if I can recall. I plan on cutting some groves in the edge of some plywood for a t track for my sled project. I know you guys will have the answers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendon_t Posted February 3, 2016 Report Share Posted February 3, 2016 I use the rule cut toward the direction the blades are spinning. On the outside of a board, that would be CCW, on the inside, say of a frame, it'd be CW. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 3, 2016 Report Share Posted February 3, 2016 yes same rules apply. The router can get away from you if you try to move it the same direction the bit is spinning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Immortan D Posted February 3, 2016 Report Share Posted February 3, 2016 When cutting grooves or dados with the router direction is not that important. What IS important is the position of your fence guide: if your pushing the router (CCW direction), the guide must be on your left; if you're pulling the router (CW direction), the guide must be on your right. On the other hand, If you're using an edge guide on the right edge, you must push the router; if it's on the left side, you must pull it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 3, 2016 Report Share Posted February 3, 2016 i guess I am an idiot because I find terms like push/pull/right/left confusing because it is all relative to how you are standing . I just look at the bit spinning and make sure I don't push it in a direction that will cause the router to run away from me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Immortan D Posted February 3, 2016 Report Share Posted February 3, 2016 Pushing away from you vs pulling towards you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xxdabroxx Posted February 3, 2016 Report Share Posted February 3, 2016 Does it really make a difference which side the fence is on if it is a full width single pass groove? Either way there is a side that is going with and against the cutter right? (inexperienced router guy here) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Immortan D Posted February 3, 2016 Report Share Posted February 3, 2016 Just now, xxdabroxx said: Does it really make a difference which side the fence is on if it is a full width single pass groove? Either way there is a side that is going with and against the cutter right? (inexperienced router guy here) Yes it does. If you do it right, the router wants to stay against the fence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 3, 2016 Report Share Posted February 3, 2016 5 minutes ago, Immortan D said: Pushing away from you vs pulling towards you. what if you are standing parallel to the router path? I am not nit picking at all. I am sure you are doing it correctly. Like I said, what works for me is to look at the direction the bit is spinning and my fence/guide placement and make sure I am not turning anything into a rocket launcher. I find relative terms very confusing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xxdabroxx Posted February 3, 2016 Report Share Posted February 3, 2016 With the attached image in mind, which side would you put the router mounted guide fence? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Immortan D Posted February 3, 2016 Report Share Posted February 3, 2016 Left side of the image if it's a fence attached to the piece. If it's and edge guide, goes to the right edge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Immortan D Posted February 3, 2016 Report Share Posted February 3, 2016 The OP is about dadoes and grooves.... both sides are cut at the same time... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendon_t Posted February 3, 2016 Report Share Posted February 3, 2016 I would have it on the right. If the bit catches, it will want to shoot forward andto the left of I'm seeing it right. Having the fence on the right keeps that from happening Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Immortan D Posted February 3, 2016 Report Share Posted February 3, 2016 If it catches you're screwed either way. Having the fence on the left will keep the router against the fence with minimal effort. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Immortan D Posted February 3, 2016 Popular Post Report Share Posted February 3, 2016 Found this online: 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xxdabroxx Posted February 3, 2016 Report Share Posted February 3, 2016 Now it makes a little more sense, with the edge guide the cut perpendicular to the fence would be pulling the guide into the workpiece, and with the straight edge it pushes into it. Pictures really are worth 1000 words. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
byegge Posted February 4, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 4, 2016 Thanks for the reply everyone. The picture really clears it up. I used an edge guide on the wrong side and moved the router in the wrong direction. Piece came out fine but will use the proper way next time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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