Need advice

[MNBenny]

What horse power router are people running? Harbor freight has a 2hp fixed based router for $55.00

[Chris In Milwaukee]

Yep I can see now already this just won't do. I will have to go buy the 1/2inch bit and shank when I get paid.

1/2" shank, higher-horsepower routers get expensive pretty quickly. If you're worried about the cost of a SportAir Workshop, then you're not going to like what a new, better-quality router will cost you. Just for clarification, the attached photo is what we're talking about when we discuss a router's "shank". They're typically either 1/4" or 1/2" diameter in our application.

What you have is fine, just take your time with fewer sheets. You'll do fine. Don't try to overdo it. Just follow our advice (remember, you asked for it), and you'll have top notch parts in no time!

[parish]

Start with 3 sheets between the former blocks. If you are comfortable, then move to 4 or 5. As Chris said, with 1.5hp, 5 is about the most you want to do. Personally I would probably stick to about 3 though to prevent any mishaps and it sounds like time is on your side. With 5 you are inviting a larger possibility of it grabbing and launching your stuff across your workspace and potentially damaging your former blocks, material, and whatever is in the way when it gets launched.

I used a 1.75 hp (until I burnt it up) and a 2hp router with a table about the same size. I have a Facebook page as well "17jp". Look back about July or so and you will see my setup.

Also like Steve mentioned, do you have a Shop vac yet? You will want one for the absolute mess the router method creates!

[Chris In Milwaukee]

You don't need a bigger router. What you have is fine.

[MNBenny]

Wonder with this size router and a half inch bit how much I can do?

[MNBenny]

Yep I can see now already this just won't do. I will have to go buy the 1/2inch bit and shank when I get paid.

[Chris In Milwaukee]

Bosch (and others) have similar bits with 1/4" shank. Probably not bigger than 1" cutting surface, though. With a 1.5hp router, you'll probably want to keep it to five sheets or less.

[MNBenny]

That is one thing dad and I will have to talk about. So now that I have the shank.....do I need a bit now? How much material can I run do you think?

[Deftone]

My router table is only a little bigger so that should work fine. Like Chris mentioned, remove the fence. I also marked big arrows on the table to remind me which way to feed the material to try and prevent it from grabbing. Im probably the only one but I feel it helps me work a little safer.

I also rigged up my shop-vac to my table to try and catch material as possible. You will soon see why!

[Chris In Milwaukee]

1/4" shank is fine. You'll just use a smaller bit and cut fewer pieces at once. Make sure the router table is secured well to whatever it's sitting on. You'll likely need to remove the fence.

That should be just dandy.

[MNBenny]

I guess what dad got a was 1/4" shank....oh well. The router is a skill. 1 1/12 hp

[Chris In Milwaukee]

Hold on tight, go slow and steady :-) Like you described, if you get complacent, it can get the best of you. How many HP is your router?

[Deftone]

I bought the router bit you suggested, hoping to give it some use this week.

[Chris In Milwaukee]

I have another question has anyone tried a,rotary tool to cut their wing ribs and did it work? Just wondering. I'm not so sure the apparatus that my dads router is sitting in will work, but time will tell.

Might work pretty well with stability attachments in place, like a router base. The problem with rotary tools is they have no mass, and are therefore pretty unstable. I don't think you'd get quality cuts with one, especially given the typical bits used with them. Routers have really good mass, and that makes them good tools for this kind of job.

if you have one, take a piece of scrap aluminum, draw a circle on it, and then cut out the circle with your rotary tool. If you're pleased with the quality of the part, then you're good to go.

[Chris In Milwaukee]

Same here. You'll invariably goof up a few parts. But with that comes experience.