A wood router is one of the tools you must get at the beginning of your woodworking journey. Using a router makes woodworking a lot easier, and it helps you get more precise cuts with designs. Making joints such as dovetail cuts are impossible without using a wood router in your workshop. Ryobi is one of the most reputed wood router manufacturers that makes some of the most dependable routers in the market.
If you get a Ryobi router, you will notice that the router can deliver impressive results with the adjustable machine. For the same reason why a Ryobi router is extraordinarily beneficial, it comes with some learning curves. You must learn how to use a Ryobi router and handle it properly while working with it. In this article, I’ll help you understand the Ryobi router’s mechanism and make the best use of this machine:
What Does A Ryobi Router Do?
The Ryobi router is a handheld router, more specifically a plunge router that comes with two handles to hold on. You will hold the router with two hands and make precise cuts on any wooden surface or edges you want. To make the Ryobi router work, you have to install a bit to the motor shaft with the collet nut attached to it.
There is a spindle lock to help you hold it still while changing a bit for different works. For different depths of cut, you can adjust it with the adjustment knob. The motor will rotate in 25000 RPM that makes a substantial penetration, and you can take off the whole base from the router for free-hand cutting.
How To Use A Ryobi Router?
The Ryobi router comes with all the modern routing features that can give you an excellent routing experience. Here is how to use a Ryobi router with the best practices and the right ways to do it step by step:
Select the correct router bit
While you purchase the router, you won’t get the router bits you need for different jobs. You must obtain a set of router bits, be sure to check if the set contains the right bits that you usually work with. The set will include all types of bits for edging, finishing, grooving, and other designing bits. Check for the right length of the bits that your router supports, and match the correct diameter for the collet.
Loosen the collet bolt
The Ryobi router has a collet bolt attached to the motor shaft to hold on and tighten the router bit. Every time you use the router, you have to loosen the collet bolt and tighten it up after insertion. The router will come with a wrench to loosen or tighten the collet bolt; use it to loosen the bolt. You can also use your wrench to loosen it if you have one in your workstation.
Insert the router bit correctly
After loosening the collet bolt, the next step is to insert the router bit into the collet hole to secure it. While doing it, you will insert the bit all the way in and pull it back again with the right length. Measure about 1/4 inch of the bit and pull it back for that length to make it work properly. Once the bit is out, tighten the collet all the way to secure the router bit in the collet. You’ll notice the bit will be out of the level a little, looking ready to go into the wood.
Clamp and secure the wood
You must attach the workpiece to a rigid surface such as your workbench or table before starting to route it. If you don’t secure the wood, it will wiggle around and make it hard to work out while routing. For this part, some C clamps will work the best in this case, try to have a few of them for bigger pieces. However, leave enough clearance for the router to pass on the wood without bumping the clamps.
Adjust the depth of your router
Depending on how much depth you need on the workpiece and how long your router bit is, you can adjust accordingly. Different depths on the router bit will help you make grooves with different depths and looks. To determine how much depth you need, place a measure on the edge of the piece, and take the reading. You can also put the router and adjust the bit depth on-site for an instant adjustment.
Clamp or attach a makeshift fence
If you’re making a straight groove or edging, you can get a sharp straight groove if you use a makeshift fence. You can use a straight, scrap wood as a fence; and finish the fence’s contact side for a smooth operation. Put the fence on the table and clamp it tight for a rigid working routing experience. Please make use of a ruler to measure the distance from the edge to the fence to make it straight.
Insert the battery if it’s a cordless one
If you’re using the Ryobi cordless, you have to attach the battery pack in this step. Make sure you do all the necessary attachments before you attach the battery pack. If you keep this order, it will make it handy to move easily and handle the router. The cordless Ryobi comes with an 18 V battery, snap it in following the direction imprinted onto the battery and the router’s body.
Route in the correct direction
Once the router is ready to go, the piece and the workbench are ready, too; it’s time to start routing. However, you must route in the right direction to get the best result without fighting much. The motor shaft rotates the router bit in a clockwise motion, requiring you to run it from left to right for the best results. IF you don’t do it, it will spread the wood dust all around; use a vacuum to collect the dust after the trim is done.
Safety Tips for Using a Ryobi Router
Woodworking is incomplete without a router in your workshop, but you shouldn’t forget it’s a Power Tool that can become a hazardous machine. Here are the safety tips that you must know to stay safe while using the Ryobi Router:
- The foremost important safety tip for using a router is going through the owner’s safety manual after getting it.
- Use the proper routing bit that matches the job type, pick the right diameter, and make sure the bit is sharp.
- If you have to change the bit for a different cut, don’t forget to disconnect the router from the outlet first.
- Check if the material you’re routing and the horsepower and the speed match each other to get a fine cut.
- Before you start routing, check the bit, the shack, spindle lock, clamps, and all the attachments are secure in their places.
- Wear appropriate safety apparel for safe routings, such as googles, hearing protection, gloves, and never have jewelry on while routing.
- Keep your observers and your child at a safe distance from your working table that you’re routing on.
Final Thoughts
Ryobi router is a dependable router for woodworking, especially if you’re a beginner. With its unique features and several extra benefits, you can pull almost any kind of routing job for your project. It comes with a micro-adjustment knob with zero resets and LED lighting for easy and accurate routing.
However, knowing how to use a Ryobi router is the utmost important thing before working with it. Although the router is secure with its base, covering the motor shaft, you must not overlook the importance of the safety precautions. Get through the router’s safety manual after you get it, and be sure to follow them strictly.
