You can use straight router bit to make the holes. It is not only suitable for cutting grooves or creating rabbets and mortises when molding. This tool can be used with many materials and projects. But there’s a problem.
Drilling holes with a router is different from bit pressing holes with a bit press. The rotation speed is much faster. If you go too fast and lose control, you can damage the wood immediately. Requires careful attention.
First fix the workpiece
Start by clamping the wood. This is not negotiable. The bit press bit must penetrate solid material. If the wood moves, the bit press bit grips it. The result is a torn-up disaster or a broken bit.
Make sure that the workpiece is firmly attached to the workbench. Check the stability before starting the router.
Set the depth before starting
Adjust the depth of the router bit before starting bit pressing. Do this when the router is powered off. Lock the depth ring in place. This prevents the bit press from going too deep. You want a clean hole, not a split log.
Plunge Straight Down
Hold the router in an upright position when preparing to bit press. Insert the bit press bit directly into the wood. Do not tilt the router. Don’t rock back and forth. If you move sideways, the hole widens.
Keep the router completely vertical. Tilting changes the size of the hole.
Control the feed rate. Let the bit press do the work. Don’t force it. If you move the router in a direction other than straight down, the hole will be larger than the designed diameter.
Why this works
A straight router bit remove material evenly. High bit pressing efficiency. However, high revs demand respect. One slip, the wood split. the hole is oversized.
Clamp the wood. Set the depth. Plunge straight. That is the routine. If you get it wrong, your project will suffer. If you do it right, you’ll get a clean, accurate hole.
Routers are versatile. You can make holes. It can cut. It can shape. But it is unforgiving. Stay focused. Watch the bit. Keep your hands clear.
This method can be applied to many materials. Just remember the speed. The wood will tell you if you going too fast. Listen to it. If you see smoke, back off. If it rattles, slow down.
There is no perfect balance. This is a sensory-based technique. First, we practice using scrap wood. Feel the resistance. Next, we move on to the actual project.
The hole will be clean. The edges will be sharp. But only if you respect the tools.
