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Posted

I'm trying to make a circular tray with a raised lip using a bowl router bit and a template to hollow out the recess.  My first thought was to use my router table, since the large surface of the table will support the large surface of the work-piece and there won't be any danger of the router tipping.  But, I can't find any videos or articles that describe doing it this way; they all use a handheld router with a large base plate.

I'm a little nervous about lowering the work-piece onto the spinning router bit, or accidentally doing a climb cut since I won't be able to see the router bit or where wood remains.

Is there a reason no one seems to use router table with a template and pattern bit for hogging out a non-through interior recess?

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Posted
On 1/2/2025 at 8:34 AM, Beechwood Chip said:

I tried it on the router table (before I posted here) using a short straight bit as a first pass.  The groove filled up with chips, the bit overheated, it slipped in the collet, and eventually charred the wood and chewed up the template.  I was using a router table insert that was too small so there was nowhere for the chips and heat to go, and with my dust collection sucking from under the table, there was no way for cool air to get in.  Another reason not to do it on a table.

I've often found that chip extraction when using a router is a problem as you describe. Especially if I'm using a bushing or anything else that restricts my dust collection. I've come to the conclusion that routing a mortise or anything else where the chips are trapped needs a lot of vacuum breaks and is slow going, hence pre-hogging is useful.

Maybe get a spare forstner bit and  file the spur off to leave a cleaner bottom? Precision isn't that important for hogging so you won't miss the spur. I pretty sure I've seen this done in some YT video.

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Posted
On 1/2/2025 at 9:35 AM, Von said:

Maybe get a spare forstner bit and  file the spur off to leave a cleaner bottom? Precision isn't that important for hogging so you won't miss the spur.

That's an idea!  I have a couple cheap forstner bit sets (my father kept forgetting that he had already given me a set).  If I haven't gotten rid of them, then they would be perfect for hogging out material.

Thanks!

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