Which router for straight grooves?

[Fjojtmehmet]

Post #27 point 3. It's a shame you don't take the recommended advice. No longer sure the router is bad, but a clear user error.

There's no reason to take such a tone in a friendly forum.
If one is to be critical, ts should have been more open in the thread started earlier about which tool should be used.
Several of us voted for making the cutout with a handheld saw, which would have been easy, risk-free, and with perfect results.

 

[snowjim]

So what you're saying is that a router for 4000 SEK with 1300 W should not be able to cut a 10 mm deep groove in MDF in one pass? If that's the case, it should be considered user error, yes.

BUT the problem with it not being able to maintain depth remains, I don't see how I could have done it better.

Sure, I could have sawn, and that was plan B, but this turned out better as I avoided putting so many screws, now 4 per cabinet were enough, otherwise it would have been 8.

I can add that the exact model designation of the router is Bosch GOF 1300 CE Professional

 

[arneri68]

So what you're saying is that a router for 4000 SEK with 1300 w is not supposed to handle routing a 10 mm deep groove in MDF in one go? In that case, it would be considered operator error, yes.

A router bit with a diameter of 20 mm is considered large in this context. Considering that the motor couldn't handle it (as you wrote), it was too much.

The fact that the router didn't hold the set depth is because you removed too much material. It has happened to me too, so you are not alone.

 

[sblixten]

So what you're saying is that a router for 4000 kr with 1300 w should not be able to cut a 10 mm deep groove in MDF in one go? If so, it should be considered user error.

BUT the problem with it not being able to maintain the depth remains, I don't see how I could have done it better.

Sure, I could have sawed and that was plan B, but this turned out better as I didn't have to use as many screws, now 4 per cabinet were enough, otherwise it would have been 8.

I can add that the exact model designation of the router is Bosch GOF 1300 CE Professional

Shouldn't have been any problems.
Sounds like either the motor cut off, or you fed too fast, or the router bit was dull.
My experience is with the 1600 model, but I can't believe there would be any major difference except that you have to feed a bit slower.

 

[snowjim]

A milling cutter with a diameter of 20 mm is considered large in this context. Considering that the motor couldn't handle it (as you mentioned), it was too much.

The fact that the mill couldn't maintain the set depth is because you were cutting too much. It has happened to me as well, so you're not alone.

Or the machine was in bad condition, as mentioned, 1300 W and comparing that to a Mecc or whatever cheap mill, I don't believe in that.

What do you mean by the depth? Why would the mill even be able to change the depth? To me, that sounds like a significant design flaw, which I doubt. I was extra careful the second time to press the mill down without pushing it against the guide, but despite that, it went down a couple of mm over just 50-60 cm.

You can say what you want, but I feel quite confident that this machine had had its day. Then, of course, it might be possible that 20 mm at a depth of 10 mm was too much for me even if I doubt it, but as mentioned, this was not the only problem with the machine.

 

[snowjim]

Shouldn't have been any problems. Sounds like either the motor shut off or you fed it too fast or the milling cutter was dull. My experience is with the 1600 model, but I can't imagine there'd be a huge difference except that you might have to feed a little slower.

No, you wouldn't think so. The motor didn't stop completely but it snagged and jumped, causing the cut not to be completely straight. I tried moving very slowly across the surface at different speeds but no big difference.

But considering how the machine looked, it feels like there was something wrong with it. I could expect this problem from a bargain mill for a couple of hundred kronor, but a machine for 40,000 kr should be able to handle 20 mm x 10 mm in MDF without major problems.

 

[sblixten]

I was thinking about this thread today when I was milling 16mm deep grooves with a 20mm milling cutter. I planned for two passes and went 8mm on the first pass. There was no problem, but I still chose to replan so I could feed faster and took 4mm at a time after the first pass. This felt like a better/easier method and since the feeding was faster, it didn't take much extra time. What I'm trying to say is that it's easier to take a little at a time as many have written in the thread. However, this was in solid oak.

 

[snowjim]

What machine do you have sblixten? I guess that might matter as well?

 

[sblixten]

What machine do you have sblixten? I guess that might matter too?

I have a blue 1600.

 

[jonmo]

Regarding milling multiple times or taking a lot at once, I think one should have a broader perspective. The only argument I can see for milling a lot in one go is that it would take more time. On the downside, however, there are:
- Greater risk of kickback if more force is needed for movement
- Greater risk of burning
- Wears on the tool

Considering how little time is saved in relation to the total project time, almost regardless of what you are doing, I see very little point in doing everything at once.

 

[snowjim]

eh look here, you can apparently mill 1 cm or more at once

http://imgur.com/gallery/oIoDn