A router is often used in conjunction with accessories to accurately complete a planned job. Various additional devices for such electric tools are available on the market. One of them is the rip fence for the router. Read on and find out the purpose of such a device, how it is modernized for milling a curved surface. Let's also consider options for professionally manufacturing a wooden rip fence. Let's talk more about frequently used factory models.
One of the variants of a proprietary parallel stop for milling tools Source 220-volt.ru
Professional manufacturing of rip fence for milling power tools
Craftsmen who professionally perform carpentry and carpentry work sometimes make a stop for the router themselves. The reasons for this may be different. In some cases, craftsmen do not have the opportunity to buy a device in a specialized store, since it simply is not nearby, and the work needs to be completed urgently. In other situations, some woodworkers and carpenters find that making them themselves produces a better rip fence. With its help, it will be possible to carry out the specific work for which it was created as conveniently as possible.
Experienced specialists in carpentry are able to quickly produce a stop device for a router. They begin its creation by preparing a base with a flat surface. This part is located parallel to the cutting line of the blades of the milling power tool. Any oblong object is used as a thrust element.
A professional can quickly produce a rip fence Source zone-outillage.fr
On a note! The design of a rip fence for an electric router may include one or two rods. Experienced craftsmen usually choose the second version of the device because it is more reliable. After this, they thoroughly think through the strong fastening of the rods.
Custom router jigs are often made from lumber. Typically, when creating parts for a thrust device, craftsmen use bars, MDF, plywood or chipboard. A common wooden rip fence design consists of the following parts:
- base 20 mm thick – 1 pc.;
- vertically fixed part 254*70*25 mm – 1 pc.;
- screw size 4.2*38 with a countersunk head – 2 pcs.;
- metal rods with a diameter of 8 mm – 2 pcs.;
- furniture bolt class M8 with a length of 75 mm – 1 pc.;
- bottom strip with recesses for two steel rods – 1 pc.:
- washer 8 mm – 1 pc.;
- top bar with recesses for metal rods – 1 pc.;
- flywheel nut size M8 – 1 pc.
Manufacturing drawing of a wooden parallel stop for an electric milling tool Source orgstanki.ru
On a note! A hole with a diameter of 8 mm is made in the center of the lower and upper planks, which allows them to be connected to each other using a furniture bolt and a flywheel nut.
To make a fixture for a wood router, a slightly different pattern can be used. In this case, to create it use:
- plywood measuring 900*125 mm;
- melanin, the dimensions of which are 900*125 mm;
- another piece of plywood 900*75 mm.
Melanin is used as a lining. The rail is placed on it in the same way as fixing the guide to the table surface. The plywood is then joined together using adhesive and nails. Then, using a special attachment for a screwdriver or electric drill, one through hole is made through three workpieces at once. Its diameter should correspond to the same size of the vacuum cleaner port. Next, this element from the vacuum cleaner is placed in the hole made. Its fixation is also carried out using an adhesive composition.
Factory rip fences
Not a single qualified craftsman refuses the opportunity to buy a parallel fence. Nowadays, many manufacturers manufacture additional devices for routers, some of which are well known to builders, carpenters and other craftsmen. Popular brands include Bosch, Makita, Kreg, Interskol and so on. Let's look at some commonly used models.
Keepwork 800Х110 mm
This model is a side support with an anodized aluminum base. Aluminum corners are used to fix it on the milling table. Exactly in the center of the device there is a hole created specifically for the operation of the cutter. Chips are still removed through it. The design also contains brushes. For their manufacture, the manufacturer used MDF. The brushes have holes through which they are attached to the thrust device. This parallel fence is sold together with a connection for connecting the dust extraction hose.
Description and purpose of the rip fence for an electric router
It would be more correct to call such an additional device an auxiliary device for a milling table. It is usually always available in workshops where work is performed by real professionals. However, the fence can be used not only on the router table. It can be used on any base surface. That is why many milling cutter models initially include a parallel stop, which makes it possible not to purchase it separately. Although on the market such add-ons are presented in different versions from various manufacturers of power tools, including world-famous companies.
The rip fence is an auxiliary device for making straight cuts. The base surface for it can be not only a specially designed and manufactured table from one of the brands. When performing work, it is often used as the side edge of the workpiece being processed or even slats, which are guides for the router.
Option for using a metal guide Source mebpilot.ru
Important! A rip fence is a bar that is used when milling edges and processing grooves on parts.
In the standard version, the router stop device consists of the following parts:
- two metal rods with a round cross-section, which are fixed in special holes in the milling power tool;
- screw for fixing the rod in the required position;
- support elements, which are pads for resting the device on the base (manufacturers produce modifications of parallel stops with the ability to adjust the gap between these pads);
- a screw to fine-tune the location of the cutter axis relative to the base flat support - more often in the workshops of highly qualified joiners and carpenters, the surface of a milling table is used as this support.
The design of a factory rip fence often includes a fine-tuning screw Source ftool.ru
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A stop device for a hand router, which is manufactured in a factory, is first prepared for use, and only then used for its intended purpose. Such an additional device cannot be used immediately as soon as it is removed from the package. To use it, you must do the following:
- insert the rods into the holes specially designed for them in the base of the electric milling tool;
- secure the rods in the desired position using a locking screw element;
- loosen the stopper;
- adjust the gap between the reference plane and the axis of the cutting blades of the cutter by turning the fine adjustment screw.
This is interesting! Experienced craftsmen equip the persistent factory fixture with an additional element of a simple design. With sufficient experience, it allows you to use a rip fence to quickly perform not only high-quality straight cuts, but also precise curved cuts in wooden workpieces.
Once modified, the rip fence can be used to make curved cuts Source amazon.com
An addition to the factory milling tool fence is a block of wood. Its craftsmen make it with one straight side edge. On its second side, a recess is created, which can have an angular or round shape. This block is placed between the curved surface of a wooden blank and the supporting overhead elements of the factory fixture.
This addition is installed in such a way that its straight, even edge rests against the lining of the straight stop, and the side with a round or angular recess is in contact with the curved plane of the workpiece. At the same time, experts note that it is necessary to work with the improved stop device as carefully as possible due to the unstable position of the milling hand-held power tool. For this reason, milling rounds or corners of various wooden parts is entrusted exclusively to experienced craftsmen.
Milling roundness is entrusted only to an experienced craftsman Source klasstrueda.ru
How are bodies of revolution processed?
The factory kit does not include a device for a router that allows you to cut grooves in cylindrical and conical workpieces. But home craftsmen have learned to make them themselves.
The product consists of the following parts:
- Cases.
- Movable milling carriage.
- Disk for adjusting the angle of rotation.
- Clamp for fastening the workpiece.
- Set screw.
The mechanism can be turned into a lathe by connecting an electric drill or screwdriver to it.
Guide rail
When it comes to straight lines, a guide rail is a good alternative to the rip fence. It is fixed at an arbitrary distance from the edge and at any angle to it. Instead of a stop, a special shoe is installed on the rods - it slides along the tire and sets the position of the router. Due to the support on the guide, a height difference may occur as the machine is raised above the workpiece. To avoid holding it suspended, extend the support leg (if provided).
In a special configuration, such guides also serve for precise milling of holes, which is especially important when making furniture (the ruler has holes with a standard pitch, the machine has a stopper; all you have to do is select the desired positions and drill).
Important note: a set of parts for working along the guide is not purchased in all cases; it must be included in the manufacturer's list of accessories and be suitable for the specific router. The tire is fixed relative to the workpiece
The router is positioned along it using a “shoe” similar to a side stop, and can be placed at different distances from it. Since only part of the platform rests on the tire, an additional “leg” is extended
The tire is fixed relative to the workpiece. The router is positioned along it using a “shoe” similar to a side stop, and can be placed at different distances from it. Since only part of the platform rests on the tire, an additional “leg” is extended.
