routing tiger maple

[Charles R Glaze]

I've been routing a scrap of tiger maple, and have been having a bit of a time getting it to come out smooth.  I keep getting a snipe on the end, or little chips out along the smooth edge.  Anyone have some suggestions?

 

[justin waldron]

Do shallower passes with your router and on the end of your stock where you're getting "blow out" or snipe clamp a sacrificial piece of wood and that'll cure that for sure. When you're routing against the grain like that on quilted maple, tiger maple etc. it's very difficult, the only other thing I could suggest is to use blue painters tape where your dado or groove will be and that could minimize tearout. Hope this helps

[Charles R Glaze]

Thanks a lot Justin, some of these things are sure to help. I think having a better quality bit might help also.

[justin waldron]

Charles, no problem at all. A better bit is always a plus, just remember shallow passes, probably no more than a 1/16 of an inch to start then progress to an 1/8 at the most. Bosch makes a really good straight bit, but I will tell you, for the money check out www.grizzly.com. They have a huge selection, www.mlcswoodworking.com is another good site and they have videos.

Charles R Glaze said:

Thanks a lot Justin, some of these things are sure to help. I think having a better quality bit might help also.

[Robert J Guidry Sr]

If you are routing around the corner, rout the end grain first, if you have tear out , when you rout the sides it removes the tear out. And yes a good sharp quality bit will help.

[Charles R Glaze]

Thank you, Robert, I found that out. The hard way.

[justin waldron]

That's very true, I forgot that point. Especially important in raised panels and tabletops.