1/2 collet for jasper perfect circle jig?

[z0n3d0u7 10+ year member]

Why's everyone buy plunge / fixed base set-up's? Wouldnt a plunge with a locking feature be the same as a fixed base.. Just adjustable? Something i never really understood.

 

[on1wheel01 10+ year member]

yea thats what i have been wondering also. dont think the bit can go down far enough on a fixed though

 

[rival904 10+ year member]

how many passes do you guys usually make when cutting through 3/4 mdf?

 

[on1wheel01 10+ year member]

cutting through what u mean with cutting circles? rounding edges? cutting out port?

 

[Moe Lester 10+ year member]

Why's everyone buy plunge / fixed base set-up's? Wouldnt a plunge with a locking feature be the same as a fixed base.. Just adjustable? Something i never really understood.

When I found it on ebay it was ~$150 and came with both bases. If I would have found the plunge only base with router motor for less I would have gone that route. I don't really see much of a point in the fixed base version, other than maybe some router tables with a built in lift work better with that style base.

how many passes do you guys usually make when cutting through 3/4 mdf?

for a circle I like to cut 1/4" at a time, so 3 passes.

 

[rival904 10+ year member]

When I do that, their never the same, always off by a tiny bit, its weird. I just do the full 3/4 at once, and go slow.

 

[z0n3d0u7 10+ year member]

Hmm, Beings im building a router table, I hope i dont run into that problem. Guess ill have to look at my mounting option's.

As for cutting holes, I usually hear to make 2 passes. Not sure how your circles would be off.. What circle jig do you use?

 

[rival904 10+ year member]

Jasper jig.

Im thinking its maybe a little loose on the router, or my pilot hole or pivot point isnt snug.

 

[Moe Lester 10+ year member]

I would really not recommend cutting deep into MDF with a 1/4" bit. I have had many bits snap on me, and at 20-30k rpm they go FLYING. It is not safe to cut with such a small bit regardless of speed imo. If you want to be safe, don't cut deeper than the bit is wide. It will only take ~30 seconds more to make 2 quick shallow passes.

Like you said, If your circle is off then your guide pin is too loose, or the router base is not very solid. Possibly when you are plunging you may be tweaking or rocking the router a bit. Make sure everything is nice and tight. I have no difference in the location or diameter of the cut when cutting in steps.

 

[rival904 10+ year member]

How do you start the router to say, I just set it on the wood, turn it on and let it work its way in

 

[Moe Lester 10+ year member]

I have the plunge base porter cable, I just turn it on without the bit touching wood, then plunge into the wood while slowly going in a circle. Once I have it ~1/4" deep I start going a bit faster and make my pass. I don't like to plunge straight down and leave it. The bit may want to chatter or walk if you aren't moving while plunging.