Do-it-yourself devices for manual wood milling machines, drawings of equipment for milling, their types

Manufacturing process of accessories

Manufacturers of milling cutters, taking care of consumers, include in the kit a simple set of tools that make the work of milling cutters easier. You can acquire the rest of the necessary equipment in two ways:

Accessories for wood router

purchase ready-made;
make it yourself.

If financial capabilities allow, then there is no need to waste precious time on making tools. But most home craftsmen still prefer to do them themselves. Moreover, the process of their manufacture is not particularly difficult.

Homemade devices do not require preliminary drawing up of drawings. You can make them using a simple drawing, understanding the principle of their operation, and having a minimal set of tools.

Difficulties can only arise in the process of making a table for a manual router. Here you will need to make every effort to make calculations and indicate the dimensions of the table. Therefore, it will hardly be possible to do without a drawing.

This is interesting: Tabletop drilling machine NS-12: characteristics and design

Devices for processing bodies of rotation

If, when working with such a machine, you have to process certain bodies of rotation, for example, balusters, pillars, and the like, then in this case the process of processing them with a manual milling cutter will become much easier when using another device. It consists of:

housings;
a movable carriage on which the tool itself is mounted;
disks with which you can set the required angle of rotation;
screws that securely fasten the workpieces.

Using such a device, the products will rotate slowly, which will make the processing process more convenient. Thus, you can make a device with your own hands that will become a full-fledged replacement for a lathe.

Manual milling machine - basics of operation

Before you begin, you must complete the following steps:

Scheme for creating a platform for a router

secure the cutter in the collet;
make sure that the device matches the power and speed of the hand router;
adjust the required milling depth;
If you plan to use cutters for edge processing, you need to install a guide ring or bearing.

It should be remembered that the workpiece must always rest securely against any surface. The immobility of the part must be ensured even before turning on the milling motor.

Compasses

Such devices for a manual milling machine ensure its movement along the required circle. The design of a self-made compass is very simple, it consists of a main part - a rod, which is attached at one end to the base of the tool, and a secondary part - a screw, which is inserted into the hole of a hand router.

A compass with two rods is more efficient in use. By making it from some transparent material, for example, plexiglass, a metric scale can be applied to the surface of the device, which will make its use even more convenient.

Using an angular lever with a scale, copying is carried out on the workpiece being processed. In this case, it will be possible to center the ring on the cutter with your own hands during work. The angle arm with support plate will ensure precise processing of the edges of the part. The design of such a device for working with hand tools consists of a set of probes, a support plate, and protection from chips.

Rip fence

This device is used to create shaped or even slots. The parallel fence is considered a common item that is included in the standard kit for most devices. Its design includes the following parts:

Guides in the form of rods. They are used for niches on the surface of the router.
A locking screw that helps fix the required position of the device.
Screw , which creates the necessary space between the blank and the axis of the tool.
Contact lips. They help to obtain a stop for the router on the surface of the material.

The parallel fence is used to perform many tasks. To prepare it, proceed according to the following scheme:

There are small holes on the body of the stop where a special rod should be fixed. When using a locking screw, it is securely secured.
After fixing, the locking screw is slightly unscrewed, and using the adjustment screw, the position of the stop is changed to the required level.

If you know all the structural elements and the method of operation, then you can create a rip fence with your own hands. For its production, metal parts, bars, and several screws are useful. A huge number of types of rip fences are sold in stores. They are selected in accordance with the characteristics of the router used for milling wood.

Example of a stop drawing:

Manufacturing of devices for processing poles and balusters

Each master can independently make accessories for a hand router that will satisfy his personal needs. For example, a milling machine is used to process bodies of revolution—objects that have a round shape. These include pillars, balusters and other wooden elements that have a similar configuration.

But in order to achieve a positive result, it is necessary to prepare a device that makes it easier to cut grooves in the rotating bodies. With its help, it will be possible to make longitudinal grooves and process along a circular contour.

Wood router attachments

The design of such a device consists of the following elements:

Woodworking device in detail

housings;
mobile milling carriage;
disk for setting the rotation angle;
fixing screws ensuring immobility of the workpiece being processed;
locking screw.

To get started, you need to place the baluster into the device body, securing it with screws. Using a rotary disk, the part is placed at the desired angle and secured with a locking screw. Next, a carriage with a milling cutter is set in motion, which cuts a groove along the entire length of the workpiece. To cut the next groove, the fixation of the product is loosened and it is again positioned at the desired angle.

It is advisable to perform all these operations with an assistant who will slowly rotate the workpiece. The operation of the device can be automated by equipping it with a drive from an electric drill or the most primitive screwdriver.

Characteristics and Application

Guide bars for routers, offered on the market by leading manufacturers of hand tools, are pieces of high-precision metal profiles of various lengths. Homemade devices of this kind are flat bars made of wood, plywood or chipboard. But regardless of the type and manufacturer, this equipment must have the following qualities:

straightness within a given accuracy;
convenience and reliability of fastening to the surface;
location of clamps outside the working area.

The profiled rail differs from standard parallel stops in that it can be attached at an angle to the side plane of the workpiece. It is also possible to rearrange it during the milling process at any angle to the line of movement of the cutter (in this case, it acts as an axis of rotation). This method produces broken edges and grooves with curves that are equal to the radius of the cutter.

The main types of profiles milled using such devices are:

grooves of various shapes (rectangular, T-shaped, dovetail);
grooves and windows;
edges and quarters;
slots and tenons.

To securely fasten guides for working with a router on the surface of sheet and rectangular workpieces, special quick-release fasteners are used, which are offered by all leading manufacturers of accessories for power tools. These are quite expensive products, so in practice, conventional lever or screw clamps are most often used.

Accessories and assemblies

Secrets of milling tenons

“Tongue and groove” is the most reliable way to fasten wooden parts. It is used in the construction of timber houses, flooring and other household needs.

Product for making spikes

To make such a locking connection, it is necessary to maintain high precision when cutting tenons. And the best assistant in this difficult task is a tenon-cutting device for a hand router.

General view of the tool for making a dovetail

Thanks to its versatility, it is possible to mill various joints, including straight and more complex ones, such as dovetails.

The main element of the tenoning device is the copying ring. It ensures the precision of the cutter's movement and moves along the groove in a special template for the router. You can make a copying machine with your own hands. To do this, you need to select groove templates that will be cut using a milling machine.

This is interesting: Drill chuck: how to remove, replace, disassemble - video, photo

Guide rails for hand routers

In the process of manual milling of wooden products, the cutting tool is fed in two directions: vertical and longitudinal. Immersion of the cutter to a given depth does not require special skill: the position of the manual cutter is rigidly fixed by the support platform, and the vertical movement is set using an adjustable limiter with fine tuning. In contrast, longitudinal movement depends entirely on the skill of the craftsman, who must manually smoothly move the router in the required direction. With such a tool feed, processing accuracy can be ensured only with the help of special templates that define the line of its movement. Among them, the most common is the straight guide bar, used when milling straight and broken contours.

Special kits

In the woodworking industry, kits designed for special applications are often found. These include, for example, the production of inserts for hinges. This kit is a manufactured, customizable template that is immediately equipped with fasteners for milling.

Craftsmen make most of these parts themselves. It is enough to install a second stop jig on the rods and then a router will be securely attached to the end of the door leaf, which can easily be used to cut holes for hinges or a door lock. This method is useful, but inconvenient, so it is more suitable for one-time use.

Milling work is a great way to earn extra income by processing wooden blanks or just to while away your free time. These works require minimal investment, and most of the devices can be done with your own hands.

Tool table

The very first necessary device that makes it possible to conveniently work with such hand tools is a milling table.

The simplest table design consists of a table top, which can be a sheet of chipboard or other similar material with holes for installing tools, as well as a guide that is attached to the table with clamps.

Having made ordinary legs, we get the main device for our hand tools - a table on which we can install any other devices.

Compass for router

When carrying out work in a home workshop, you may often need accessories for a hand router that make it easier to mill a round surface. An example is a special compass that you can make for a router yourself. The main recommendations for carrying out the work are as follows:

To create a simple design you will need: a bolt with a nut, a small piece of plywood, several self-tapping screws and a wooden wing. In manufacturing, the router itself is used, as well as a saw with a screwdriver.
On the surface of the piece of plywood used, an area about 50 mm wide and 150 mm long is marked. Note that the width must be greater than the router platform, the length must be greater than the machining radius.
After marking the working part of the site, holes should be made for the mounting bolts. You can drill with a percussion, the diameter of the resulting holes should be 20-30 mm.
A through groove is created along the center line. Its width should be less than the width of the axle bolt.
On the reverse side of the created platform, a recess is created for a nut with a washer, the second nut is attached to a wooden wing.
The central axis is being assembled. As a stud, you can use a bolt of the required length, the head of which is sawed off.

After creating a homemade compass, it is attached to the router and you can check the device in operation.

Main technical differences and choice of router for home work

Obviously, any electric tool will primarily differ from each other in power. Without going into details unnecessary for this article, let’s say that an instrument from 1000 W and above can already be classified as semi-professional or professional, which can be useful in everyday life very rarely. Such devices can weigh more than 6 kg, their power reaches 2.3 kW.

There are also specialized milling cutters (edging, rod, for certain types of materials), with specified parameters for the production of highly targeted operations. But we, home craftsmen, should first of all be interested in a more universal tool. This is a submersible movable rod milling machine. It would be nice if it has a smooth or step-by-step speed control and works with cutters with a diameter of at least 8 mm.

ruchnoi-frezer-po-derevu-1

ruchnoi-frezer-po-derevu-2

ruchnoi-frezer-po-derevu-3

Such devices are designed to perform a universal set of works:

edge profiling;
quarter sample;
production of tenons and grooves, splines, folds;
obtaining holes of various configurations;
preparing seats for furniture and other fittings;
artistic processing of wood, including spatial processing.

And if you equip them with a certain set of accessories for a hand router, most of which you can make with your own hands in a home workshop, then this already not small list of specialized work can radically increase.

We will try to briefly but meaningfully tell you about this in this article. But first, let's look at the main components of the tool:

The milling cutter head is structurally much simpler than a similar unit in most power tools. Actually, it is an electric motor with a collet clamp for cutters. Sometimes with a speed controller. The absence of any gearboxes and gears makes it a very reliable tool assembly.
The sole of the router - also known as its support platform - is made of stamped metal, cast from aluminum alloy or high-quality plastic. The first option is the most inexpensive, but it is better not to waste money on others. The accuracy and quality of all types of work performed by a milling cutter depends on its thoroughness and precision of execution. All stops and guides are attached to it, and places for attaching various devices are located. Including the rod mechanism.
The rod mechanism is the main functional unit of the milling cutter. It regulates the immersion depth of the cutter. Not only the ease of operation, but also the durability of the router depends on the accuracy and reliability of its execution. This is the most worn unit and requires regular maintenance and lubrication.

ruchnoi-frezer-po-derevu-32

ruchnoi-frezer-po-derevu-31

ruchnoi-frezer-po-derevu-33

Some practical tips when choosing a router:

do not chase high power, but do not take a frankly weak tool, the normal power range of a home router is 800 - 1300 W; pay attention to the actual immersion depth of the cutter - this will determine the maximum depth of the groove that can be obtained using this tool; the best clamp for cutters is a conical collet; the best switch is with a locking button; The length of the power cord should not be short; the absence of backlash and smooth operation of the rod mechanism is the key to the longevity of the tool.

And one more important factor, which we specifically removed from the list of tips in a separate sentence. This is the presence of a good repair base for instruments from a given manufacturer in your region.

What can you do with a wood router depending on its power?

Using a conventional hand router, you can round the corners and ends of furniture panels made of wood and MDF, drill holes, make radii and align corners, mill and groove surfaces. However, the functionality and ease of use of a particular model directly depends on the power. Based on what you plan to do with a router, one or another tool option is selected.

Low power manual milling machines (500-1200 W). This type of manual milling cutter is designed to work with cutters with a working diameter of about 32mm and shanks of 6-8mm. Suitable for those who make small household items from wood (dishes, hanging shelves, frames, boxes, etc.). Or plans to use it from time to time to solve certain problems.
Medium power milling cutters (1200-1900 W). The power of a router ultimately determines its weight and size; a larger and heavier tool is more difficult to process small parts. The optimal length of the cutter shank for a medium-power device is 8-12mm.
High power milling cutter (1900-2400 W). Designed for the manufacture of furniture facades, cutting, processing long edges and other work with dimensional parts. Most often it is fixed with the help of various devices on workbenches and work tables, manually, holding the tool in weight, it is difficult to achieve the required accuracy and precision in processing surfaces and ends.

To equip a small workshop, it is enough to purchase a medium-power milling cutter. If during work you need to use a cutter with a large diameter, it is enough to go over the workpiece several times to reduce the load on the motor and protect it from unnecessary overload.

With large volumes of work, it is not always rational to spend time on several approaches to process each workpiece. Therefore, in this case, it is better to purchase a high-power milling cutter.

Devices for processing bodies of rotation

housings;
a movable carriage on which the tool itself is mounted;
disks with which you can set the required angle of rotation;
screws that securely fasten the workpieces.

Circle milling

To perform tasks at home, a device that can make it easier to cut round blanks may be useful.

For example, a compass is often used, which you can create with your own hands.

This device is made according to the following scheme:

From available elements, a piece of plywood, self-tapping screws, a wooden wing and a bolt with a nut are used to make the device. You will also need a router, saw and screwdriver.
A small marking is made on a piece of plywood. A platform is outlined on it, the length of which is 15 cm and the width is 5 cm. It is important that the length exceeds the processing radius, and the width exceeds the size of the router platform.
Holes are made for the mounting bolts (their diameter is 2-3 cm). Perka is used for drilling.
A groove is cut through the middle strip. It is necessary to ensure that its width does not exceed the size of the axle bolt.
A recess is made at the bottom of the plywood sheet to accommodate the nut and washer. Another nut is secured in a wooden wing.
Now you can assemble the main axis. Instead of a stud, use a bolt with a sufficient length, having first sawed off its head.
The compass is installed on the router and the functionality is checked.

Important! Instead of a compass, a parallel stop is used, fixed in a groove on the sole. A screw with a sleeve of the same size as the hole is screwed into it, and the diameter is adjusted with a stop.

Templates for the router

Templates have become very widespread. They are manufactured for the production of specific products. That is why the question of how to make a template for a router with your own hands has become quite widespread.

The milling template is characterized by the following features:

Some versions are designed for milling a workpiece along a straight contour, others at an angle or a rounded shape. Very often a template is used for milling rounded corners of various radii.
Some models of the equipment in question are equipped with rings or bearings. They are suitable for hand routers. If a ring is used, it should be taken into account that it should not come into contact with the installed cutting tool while milling the workpiece.
Creating grooves of unusual shape can be called a rather difficult task. Recently, groove milling has been carried out using the equipment in question. For example, you can quickly make a stencil for wood carving with a router or to create a groove that fits door hinges.

Templates for a DIY router are often made of wood. This choice can be attributed to the fact that such a material is characterized by a high degree of workability. That is why it is much easier to obtain patterns on wood with a hand router, since the template will completely repeat the geometry.

On sale you can find a variety of patterns, for example, dovetail. However, almost all craftsmen are faced with the fact that they have to create a similar product with their own hands when making unique parts for furniture or other products.

Copy ring

Copy rings are devices used as edges.

During the milling process, the ring moves along the template, giving the required position to the tool. To fasten the rings, screws, threaded holes and antennae are used.

The diameter of the ring approximately corresponds to that of the router. The device is made from steel that can withstand heavy loads. Flexible metals are not used because they deform quickly.

To produce a similar device, an angle lever and copying probes will be useful. The angle lever has a scale, each division equals 0.1 mm. It helps center the stop ring under the cutter to create the desired shape of the holes on the blanks. For convenience, chip protection and a support plate are added to the device, which can improve the quality of edge processing.

During cutting, the router does not touch the edges of the ring. In the opposite situation, the cutting tool will be damaged and will soon fail.

Using copy templates and rings

Templates are designed for the production of specific types of products. They help make the shape of finished items more accurate and even. Ready-made templates, which can be purchased in the store, have the following characteristics:

Some template models are used to create models along a rectilinear contour, while others involve circular or charcoal cutting. Often, for household purposes, a template is used to help round corners at different radii.
Certain types of templates are supplemented with rings or bearings for manual processing. If the model has a ring, then during processing it does not touch the edges of the router.
Templates are also used when milling blanks with grooves of unusual shape. For example, you can quickly make a template with your own hands to create grooves for door hinges.

To make templates at home, wooden blanks are used. This is done due to the fact that wood is easy to process, so any patterns can be made on it for future work. And when milling, the template fits perfectly with the processed objects due to its ability to accurately repeat the geometry of the object.

To make a template with your own hands, place a piece of wood under a router and, after marking, cut out fancy shapes. For use in work, the template is attached to the blanks with double-sided tape and pressed with clamps. It is especially convenient to use homemade templates to cut not the entire edge of the material, but only its corners.

Compasses

A compass with two rods is more efficient in use. By making it from some transparent material, for example, plexiglass, a metric scale can be applied to the surface of the device, which will make its use even more convenient.

A complete list of what can be done with a hand-held wood router

With the help of a competent approach and home-made devices for securing the router in various positions on a movable carriage, you can do with a manual wood router what expensive machines are capable of. And actually completely replace their functionality.

The main functions of a manual router are as follows:

Design of ends and edges on workpieces, chamfering using shaped cutters.
Carving decorative patterns on wood, as well as blanks of various shapes.
Manufacturing of groove joints of simple and complex shapes (including dovetail).
Jointing the edge of the board for subsequent gluing (when installing the router on the table).
Thickening of workpieces of any length and width (when installing the router on the carriage).
Production of milled furniture facades.
Drilling holes of different depths and diameters for furniture dowels and grooves, random selection of wood according to the desired template.

All of the above is possible by equipping the tool with special cutters.

Router guides

One of the main components of a manual wood carving machine is its guides. You can make them yourself from ordinary bars.

If one guide is used, it must be tightly attached to the base on which all necessary work will be carried out. To make the entire structure more reliable, while eliminating the possibility of the template shifting, it can be additionally secured with side stops.

If you use such a device for a manual machine, which we made with our own hands, you can always make additional grooves in several products.

Homemade guides are:

T-shaped;
On hinges, can be folded like a book;
L-shaped.

The guides, which look like skis, are quite convenient to use. They can be used with any type of hand router, making work with wooden workpieces as precise and clean as possible.

What can you do with a hand router with different cutters?

A brief overview of cutters will give a complete understanding of what can be done with a hand-held wood router and how it can be used at home and in a carpentry workshop. The main types often used in woodworking include groove, edge and combination cutters.

Types of groove cutters and their purpose

As the name suggests, groove cutters can be used to make grooves using a hand router. And also used for applying decorative milling on the front parts of furniture.

Straight grooved. A simple cylindrical shape allows you to make a rectangular groove, the width of the groove is determined by the diameter of the cutter. Suitable for thicknessing.
Disk groove. The width and thickness of the disk determines the depth and width of the groove, which can be made with a hand router. Also used for thicknessing of workpieces.
Fillet groove . Depending on the shape of the cutter, rounded or V-shaped, you can make a rounded or triangular groove of different widths with a hand-held wood router.
Structural groove. Provides a stronger and more stable joinery joint, T-joint or dovetail joint depending on the cutter shape.
Shaped groove. Used for decorative design of facades and other front blanks.

Types of combined cutters and their purpose

In order to make a tongue-and-groove joint with a wood router, you may need two cutters at once, which are called “combined” in the set. There is also an option to make a “tenon and groove” using one cutter, by moving one workpiece relative to the other by the width of the tenon and groove.

Single combination cutters allow you to increase the length of a workpiece from short remains by flipping one part relative to the other (so that the tongue-and-groove joint meets).

Double combination tenon and mortise cutters are used to make wood paneling and other siding panels with specified joinery. The kit comes with a couple of different positions, you should be careful when using it. Some types involve turning the workpiece over, others require working in one plane so that the joint comes together.

Feeder combination cutters are designed for decorative design of the façade of furniture. Using a federation horizontal cutter, you can use a router to make a relief along the plane of the facade, and with a vertical cutter, you can shape the base (plinth) in height. A double-sided horizontal cutter allows you to make decorative carvings for subsequent assembly into a groove with a panel.

Please note that this type is equipped with a bearing so that you can mill not only along a straight line, but also along a radius, a template of any curved shape.

Types of edge cutters and their purpose

Using edge cutters, you can use a router to make any chamfers on the ends of workpieces. As a rule, this type of cutter is almost always equipped with a bearing on the top or bottom of the cutter. This addition helps to work clearly and evenly according to the template and to run the base of the workpiece along any radii and bends, with trimming.

Edge cutters are used to remove edges at right angles. With their help, you can use a router to make wooden blanks for subsequent gluing into a single furniture panel.

Edge rebate cutters are used to make a rectangular or square groove, suitable for thicknessing workpieces.

Edge moulders and taper cutters are designed for chamfering semicircular or beveled edges on workpieces. The moulder allows you to create a chamfer both with a “step” and without it, depending on the position of the router.

Edge shaped and half-rod cutters help to beautifully shape the end of the workpiece throughout its entire thickness, capturing the lower part. You can work with them with a milling cutter power of 1600W or more.

The types of wood cutters are also divided according to other criteria; you can learn more in the video.

To avoid burns on the workpieces, and also to avoid overloading the motor of a low- and medium-power milling cutter, do not try to achieve the desired effect in one pass. It is better to go over the workpiece several times to achieve a neat and clean cut on the end.

With the help of additional devices, fixing the tool on a workbench or a movable carriage in a vertical and horizontal position, you can use a router to manually make truly original and beautiful objects of decoration, decoration and furniture.

How to make a wood lathe with your own hands: drawings and technology

The easiest way to make a tool yourself at home is to construct a lathe or milling machine from a drill or electric motor removed from another tool. This process is not that complicated, so every master can handle it. To do this, you will need an electric motor, the power of which does not exceed 500 W, and available materials. A drill can also be used as a drive. Of course, making a lathe will require some skill.

The device of the tailstock of a homemade wood lathe

To build the machine, the following elements are required:

metal frame;
electric motor;
handyman;
tailstock.

It wouldn’t hurt to get a drawing that will help you navigate the dimensions and correctly manufacture all the structural elements for its subsequent assembly.

How to make a homemade drilling machine with your own hands with a motor

First you need to prepare the electric motor shaft. To do this, a faceplate is installed on it; a steel center with a thread is also suitable. Installation of the second center is carried out in the tailstock tube. To make the frame, you will need a pair of corners measuring 5x3 cm, their length is 15 cm. A motor is attached to the frame using a bolted connection.

An example of a homemade drilling machine

At the next stage of making a homemade machine, you assemble the headstock yourself. This element is formed from a pair of horizontal and a pair of vertical corners. A pipe intended for the spindle is attached to it. You need to insert a bolt into it, the diameter of which is 1.2 cm. First, its head is sharpened at a right angle. Thus, the central part of the spindle is designated. After this, the headstock is installed on the bed. On the top post, which connects to the horizontal corners, it is necessary to secure the tube by welding.

To make a tool rest, you need to take a steel rod with a chamfer. This element must also have a hole that will be used to secure the support ruler. It is necessary to vertically weld the tube with the locking screw to the long angle. Then the tool rest rod is inserted into it.

The motor rotor on which the faceplate is attached will be used as the headstock spindle. You need to make several holes in it. A fork will be inserted in the central part. The holes along the edges are intended for fixing the part with screws.

Even with the help of simple tools you can create interesting wooden products; for this you need to study the technology of working with the tool and practice

How to make a wood lathe from a drill with your own hands

Having a workbench with a strong and flat working surface at hand, you can build a lathe without resorting to building a bed. The electric drill in this case will serve as a rotary drive and headstock. According to the simplest drawing of the machine, it is enough to fix this tool on the surface of the workbench through the neck. Clamps and a clamp are suitable for fixing.

Next you need to make a stop that will act as a tailstock.

This element is mounted opposite the drill. To create it, you can take two blocks of wood and an adjusting screw, sharpened at one end to a cone. If you intend to use the machine for processing massive wooden workpieces, then it is advisable to fix the stop on the table using clamps.

To make a tool with your own hands, inexpensive materials are enough. A drill-based lathe can be used to turn various parts:

door handles;
structural details of the staircase;
decorative items, etc.

Using a workbench with a durable and flat working surface, you can make a lathe from a drill with your own hands

To expand the functionality of the tool, its design can be supplemented with attachments and other devices that can improve the quality of work.

Such improvements include:

winding on transformers;
applying a coloring composition over a rotating part to create patterns;
applying spiral notches to the workpiece, etc.

Installing a special attachment in the form of a copier will allow you to use the machine to create a whole series of identical parts or products according to a template.

An example of a multifunctional homemade woodworking machine from a drill

What is a rip fence?

A rip fence is a vital device when working with a milling machine, needed to directly move the cutter along the surface of the base (the edge of a workbench or a smooth cut of a part). The stop holds the part very firmly, which makes it possible to process edges and grooves.

Often, when selling a milling machine, the manufacturer also supplies one of the options for this device. But everyday situations may require it to be refined or even remade. There are a variety of designs adapted to solve various problems.

Each design has its own pros and cons, which requires the master to be creative and responsible in making a decision regarding the proposed unique design.

In the detailed description, you can find only two real facts about this functional device - it plays an important role in the performance of certain processes and can be supplied by the manufacturer as part of a kit for hand tools - for example, for a circular saw. The supplied tooling for any rip fence contains:

rods that fit into the recesses on the cutter;
fasteners holding a given position, support part;
materials for the manufacture of the supporting part can be very different - furniture plywood, wood lined with plastic.

This is standard fittings, the manufacture of which you don’t have to worry about, since spring clamps, flywheels and profiles can be purchased in specialized stores. On the back side of the bed there are flywheels for adjusting the gaps with the cutter and fixing the stop on the table. If you want to make the design more functional and reliable, you can add a casing for attaching a vacuum cleaner, which will make the work process cleaner, but will add complexity to assembly and noise.

Small modifications make it possible to make not only straight cuts, but also curly ones. Wooden blocks with one side flat and the other angular or with a notch, inserted between the supporting part and the edge of the material, will help guide the machine along a given route.

The block adds instability, requires greater care in work and complicates the designed structure.

The simplest devices for a hand router

To expand the capabilities and convenience of working with a hand router, there are a fairly large number of simple devices. Sometimes they come complete with a router, some are design features of a particular type of tool. And first of all, this is a parallel stop, which comes complete with almost all manual routers, but is also primarily modified by home craftsmen for specific types of work.

The simplest, most often manufactured device is a round sole pad. Most routers have two parallel edges, simplifying the design of stops for processing straight workpieces, which when working with overlay templates requires precise positioning of the tool. A simple round pad on the sole will make this procedure absolutely simple.

When using it, it is important to set the upper template at a distance from the edge of the pad to the cutting edge of the cutter and the desired immersion depth.

The next most common do-it-yourself tool is a device for milling circles. True, this can be achieved using the previous device, but only if you have a pre-made template. But, it is still better to spend time on a universal toolkit once and use it for many years.

From the first and second photos, the operating principle of this device is clear, and there are many constructive approaches to its implementation. All these are variations on the theme of the compass. You can make a separate device, or you can use, for example, the rip fence bars of your router.

The simplest devices for a router include a device often called skis.

It allows you to partially replace the thicknesser or polish the product. The main thing is to ensure the rigidity of the structure.

Agree that the device with stops shown in the photo below radically simplifies the procedure for obtaining deep recesses in narrow material, such as grooves for inserting locks and latches,

and the device for producing parallel grooves is just as easy to manufacture as it simplifies this type of work.

Moreover, both of them can be made on the same platform - the outsole. Templates for the same type of milling work, used in combination with cutters equipped with thrust bearings, will also take a worthy place in this list.

And here is the time to say a few words about cutters.

Guide rail for milling machines

This device for the router is needed to ensure straight movement of the cutting edge. The tire saves significant time by allowing you to guide the tool at any angle to the edge.

The user can create a unique version of the bus for his own needs. The simplest option is a ruler, fixed in any convenient way. To ensure stability, plywood is used by nailing a board or beam to it, against which the edge of the milling base will rest, while the base will provide the processing area. The board does not need to be nailed down, but rather attached with spring clips. This will make it possible to use cutters of different diameters and adjust the distance from the working area depending on the size of the cutter.

What is a router and why is it needed?

Edges. Serve for processing the side surfaces of workpieces. With their help, you can make smooth or shaped edges, you can form recesses and spikes for joining parts. It is this type of cutter that comes with a bearing at the end - it rests on the part, setting the distance from the edge of the workpiece to the cutter.

How to treat the surface → Room decoration → How to choose the right paint → Surface treatment technologies → Leveling and finishing the walls → Selecting and applying a primer → Removal from the surface → Stretch ceilings and technologies → Reviews and testimonials

Purpose of copy rings and templates

Precision processing is ensured by the use of copying rings. These are circles with protrusions that move in a pattern. The ring is fixed on the base of the router in any convenient way, the main thing is to make sure that neither the ring nor the template come into contact with the working part of the tool. Templates must be secured to the working material to ensure adherence to the base.

Of course, ready-made options cannot always satisfy all the needs of the master, so templates are made manually for narrow needs. The structure can be supplemented with bearings or rings selected according to the size of the cutter.

Complex grooves, recesses for door hinges, decorative and patterned work can also be done using modified templates and rings.

Other devices

Circular

Among other devices for a wood router, circular ones occupy a special place. All round and oval cuts are made with their help. The compass is a rod with a pin. Simply moving the bar changes the size of the circle. For small radius holes, for example, for inserting hinges, the compass structure is attached directly to the base of the milling machine.

A router for cutting circles can be improved for cutting out ovals. You can do it yourself. You will need a base in which screws or suction cups are used to secure the workpieces; shoes, mounting rods and a bracket for fixing the structure with the tool. Round openings are cut when one shoe is used; inserting a second shoe into the jig makes it possible to cut oval holes.

For making grooves on narrow surfaces

To make this option, of course, you can have some fun with a drill and chisel, and you can even cut out a fairly accurate hole. But how much time will be wasted. The milling cutter will cope with this task faster and more accurately. But this requires certain accessories.

They can consist of a round or rectangular plate attached to the base of the instrument.
Two pins on the plate will ensure smooth running of the tool. The axes of the pins are located on the line of the cutter, under this condition the groove will be made in the center of the part, regardless of the thickness.
When making cuts, it is important to control that the pins are tightly pressed to the workpiece on both sides. A similar result can be achieved using two parallel stops. Even a task with one rip fence is feasible, but the workpiece must be secured between two surfaces.
If the craftsman constantly deals with cuts on narrow surfaces, you can make a table of two parts, which will make it possible to clamp the material between them.
The universal use of the copy ring makes it possible to protect the template from the cutting edge.
A hand cutter with a copy ring will help replace, for example, carpentry tools used when installing door hinges, and reduce the time that will inevitably be wasted if the worker does not have the necessary skills to work with them.

For work on installing door hinges, for example, a template is made from a piece of wood. This is an additional time investment, which then more than pays off - the grooves will be ready in a few seconds. You can often come across advice to buy ready-made templates for a router. And this is reasonable, since they are on sale and are intended for the same type of common activity - for example, installing door hinges or in the manufacture of furniture, where several of the same type of parts are required.

Making a custom template is advisable if a unique product is required. But then it makes no sense to make it from durable material, especially if it will be used one-time - as, for example, for the restoration of antique furniture.

Fastening and clamping devices can be used both universally and designed for the use of a specific type of equipment. Their types are variable - in the form of a block, a shoe with a spring or steel plates.

Clamping machines are distinguished by the fact that they remain motionless during the processing of the workpiece, however, they are also varied and quite complex to manufacture. Therefore, despite the abundance of drawings for craftsmen, they prefer to buy them ready-made, factory-made. There is good balancing of self-braking, the drive can be manual, hydraulic or pneumatic, high-quality metal. It’s easier to purchase a ready-made device and upgrade it to suit your own needs.

For processing bodies of revolution

There are also special, ready-made devices. However, manufacturers of professional instruments are not always able to predict what needs craftsmen may have.

Users willingly share their experiences for processing round railings for wooden stairs, balusters and other things. And these homemade devices are not only not inferior to factory ones, but sometimes even surpass them in processing quality and productivity.

For milling tenons

Special devices are used to cut tenons. Expert advice always refers to industrial devices. They can have several functions at once - for example, making a profile for a blind and through dovetail and a through connection with a straight tenon. Here, the exact trajectory of the cutter, a high-quality template and a copy ring are of great importance.

DIY accessories for a wood router: stops, templates, guide rails

For accurate operation, a milling cutter requires auxiliary devices; at the same time, the sales package of the device includes a limited set of such items.

The market for milling attachments extends from protractors to numerous attachments. The user, for whom this is not enough, can make auxiliary devices himself.

Templates and copy sleeve

The copying ring is a circle with a protrusion that slides along a template, guaranteeing accuracy of processing. The ring can be screwed to the base of the router or secured with antennae. The diameter of the device is selected so that it does not come into contact with the working part of the tool.

The ring template is fixed on the material being processed, firmly adhering to the tabletop. Reliable clamping is provided by double-sided tape and clamps. Having finished the part, you need to make sure that the sleeve fits tightly along the edge of the template when working.

A self-made template for a router can also be used for processing the corners of a part, when it is necessary for them to be round. Depending on the location and dimensions of the template, the radius size of the rounding can be any.

The template design often includes bearings or rings. If this is a ring, then it should be selected according to the size of the cutter. If there is a difference in diameters, it is necessary to add stops to the template design, with the help of which you can move the device away from the edge of the part.

Among the auxiliary devices for the router, the most flexible templates, in addition to processing the edges of the material, also allow you to cut complex grooves. The special design of the accessory makes it possible to effectively create recesses for door hinges. Using a template, you can even carry out decorative work with a router, for example, cutting out wooden patterns.

Compass

This auxiliary tool is designed to create round and oval cutouts. The basic compass design includes a rod with a pin fastening at the end. By inserting the fastener into the hole in the center of the circle along which the groove is made, you can change the size of the circle by simply moving the rod.

Note! The convenience and reliability of the design is increased by adding a second rod.

There are various auxiliary elements that work on the circular principle. They offer the advantage of creating different radii of circular grooves. A mandatory component of such auxiliary devices is a pin with a screw for adjusting the length of the radius.

If a small hole is cut, the compass structure must be adapted for mounting on the base of the router. When processing a part, the pin is located directly under the tool.

A wood router, in addition to round ones, is also capable of cutting elliptical holes. The device for this can be assembled with your own hands from the following parts:

base with fixation on material made of screws or suction cups;
shoes moved on crossing guides – 2 pcs.;
rods for installation – 2 pcs.;
bracket for connecting the structure to the tool.

The fastening bracket, thanks to the grooves intended for this purpose, allows the frame of the structure to be in the same plane as the base of the router.

Cutting round openings is done using one shoe. If you need an oval hole, both are used.

This auxiliary design makes it possible to make holes more accurately and faster than other tools, such as a band saw or jigsaw.

For grooves on narrow surfaces

Recesses for locks or door hinges can be made with a drill and chisel, but a router is much better suited for this. You just need to equip the tool with a certain device.

It consists of a flat plate that is attached to the base of the device. The shape of the plate can be round or rectangular.

2 pins are made on it, ensuring smooth movement of the tool during operation.

The main parameter that must be adhered to when manufacturing such an element is that the axis of each pin must be on the same line as the center of the cutter.

If this parameter is observed, the groove will be cut exactly in the middle of the workpiece, regardless of thickness.

If it is necessary to shift the groove to the right or left, a sleeve of the size needed for the desired shift is put on the corresponding pin.

Using this design, the router is driven with the pins tightly pressed to both sides of the workpiece.

The same effect is achieved if you use two parallel stops with a router.

Even one stop may be enough. It is necessary to strengthen the workpiece between two surfaces, for example boards, so that all three elements are in the same plane. In this case, the problem of insufficient part width is eliminated.

When you often have to work with narrow surfaces, a good solution would be to build a special table of two halves. By pressing the material between them, the master can easily achieve the effect of one plane.

Bodies of revolution

When working with round workpieces, such as posts or balusters, a structure is made up of a frame into which the part is placed, a carriage for the router and a rotary disk. The part is inserted into the frame, securely fixed, after which the carriage with the tool is pulled out to the processing area. The position of the part in the frame can be changed using a rotary disk.

The same frame with a router in the carriage can serve as a lathe. You just need to turn the disk while simultaneously operating the milling cutter moving along the guides. This can be done by a master’s assistant or a drill connected to the disk.

Tenoning devices

Such devices ensure the creation of joints based on spikes. Such profiles, which require high precision in processing the material, are easily made with a milling machine.

Using a hand router, the master moves it freely to the material. Therefore, the material needs to be securely fastened for error-free tenoning.

Such conditions can be created by a simple device made from the following parts:

rigidly fixed guides, lower, upper and side;
a bar with one degree of freedom that will limit the sample.

The parameters of the parts depend on the specific tool for which the device will be assembled. The assembly procedure is as follows.

Along the edges of the plywood base, vertical ribs of equal size are installed with cutouts in the center. Rails are attached to these ribs on which the tool will move. To ensure safe movement of the router on the rails, they are locked with limiters, which can be simple wooden slats.

A moving part is attached to the plywood base - a regulator for selecting the edge of the part. The lock can be a wing screw or another fastener of the technician’s choice.

Regardless of the manufacturer, a hand router with the addition of such a structure can easily cut out a simple tenon profile.

Another means for producing spikes is a conductor. It consists of a base, stops and a moving part in the form of a slide. Experienced users begin to manufacture and use it for very fine and precise work.

Hidden Features

The listed case of auxiliary tools may seem unnecessary when the master performs only the simplest operations with a router. But if you look at this tool from the angle of its potential capabilities, then a number of directions appear before the user.

Those works that the master did not even think that he could carry out turn out to be quite accessible - you just need to build several auxiliary structures. As if this is not a simple manual milling machine, but a CNC coordinate machine.

Article rating:

(2 4,00 of 5) Loading...