On 4/11/2015 7:49 AM, Greg Guarino wrote:
OK. Now I've got the plunge router. But can someone clue me in on upcut,
downcut and compression?

I don't think I need the full primer; I get the basic concept of each. I
assume I'll be cutting my through mortises from the side that will show.
Thus I'll need the "up" side to be a clean cut. I read that that downcut
is better for that, it doesn't have as much tendency to split the wood
at the edge. But I'll be cutting through 1.5". It it "bad" to be pushing
the chips down in that situation? Or perhaps there's plenty of chip room
because of the oval hole? (Of course I won't attempt to go through the
whole depth at once). And is there any need for a compression bit here?

One last thing. I haven't even settled on the type of wood yet, but it
may end up being Oak. Can I assume that only Carbide is of any use? Can
I further assume that only Carbide is of any use for *any* router task?

Ignorant minds want to know.

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There are no hard and fast rules. Sometimes you have to break the rules
but here goes:

in plunge hand held:

upcut is for
mortising
drilling holes

down cut is for
preventing tearout
with a bearing for triming veneer

Compression
For triming veneer on both sides when using a straight edge or pattern.


In table mounted router reverse the up and down..

There's more, but its really based on the task and the whether you are
clearing chips, or protecting tear out.





--
Jeff