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Pantorouter Clearance

Features

Member must point out the following tool features:

  • Table, miter gauge and angle adjust

  • Template holder (T-slot) and height adjust / locks
  • Guide bearing holder and lock
  • Depth adjust lever and depth stops (2x)
  • Router (and power switch, collet, speed adjust wheel)
  • Accessories cart (templates, guide bearings, bits, locking clamps)
  • Shop vac

Common Hazards

Member must identify these common hazards, and demonstrate they know how to avoid them:

  • Kickback or pull-in due to improper feed direction and/or workholding
  • Entanglement due to lack of observance of personal safety (long hair, long sleeves, bracelets etc)
  • Finger contact with the cutting bit
  • Flying splinters and other debris
  • Ejection of the router bit and/or workpiece due to improper installation and workholding
  • Sawdust inhalation - respirator required
  • Machine damage - router bit collision with table and/or clamps

Materials

Member must demonstrate knowledge of which materials are allowed and which materials are prohibited. Member knows where to look for the complete list of allowed and prohibited materials.

  • Wood and plastics are permitted
  • No lead-painted materials are allowed due to toxic dust.
  • Reclaimed materials must be checked thoroughly for nails and other metal inclusions
  • Metals are prohibited (spark / ignition risk)
  • All glue and resin must be fully cured (causes damage to table & bits)

Usage

Member demonstrates how to safely set up, use, and clean up after use, including:

  • Selecting and installing a template and guide bearing
  • Adjusting the angle, miter, and position of the workpiece and clamping it
  • Setting the depth of the cut (aligning the wood/table while the router is at its depth limit)
  • Connecting/disconnecting a vacuum to the dust port
  • Starting the router, adjusting the RPMs, and initiating a cut
  • Identifying the correct direction to travel when routing (always conventional, never climb)
  • Brushing and sweeping machine surfaces and the surrounding area
  • Trashing unusable material and scrapping usable material
  • Putting away all accessories in the cart after use

Knowledge and Technique

The member must be able to demonstrate:

  • Transitioning between interior and exterior use of the template (retracting and placing the guide bearing)
  • Making several passes into the wood rather than trying to cut the full depth in one go
  • Commitment to always unplug the router before adjusting/removing/replacing the router bit
  • Understanding the symptoms of the router being overloaded with excessive feed pressure
  • Keen awareness of the presence and running state of the router bit at all times
  • Knowledge of issues that cause kickback and tearout of the workpiece
  • Identifying and fixing drift in cutting bit during use
  • Commitment to always use a vacuum while operating the router (dust mitigation)

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