router burn

**bonnie** · 06-19-2006, 02:54 PM

Hi everybody; I routed a nice bead on some small boards for a project. Two of them came out fine, but the others have some ugly burn marks on the edges. I've been carefully sanding them with a little sucess, but is there some magic fix that beats a sander? I'm afraid the sanding is going to ruin the beaded edge. Is there a magic fix better than a sander? The wood is clear pine, the router bit is new. Am I doing something wrong? Thanks, Bonnie.

**JohnP** · 06-19-2006, 05:25 PM

The wood will burn from a couple of different reasons. the feed rate vs bit speed, the feed rate is to slow for the bit speed, one or the other needs to be adjusted. the condition of the bit will also have a great effect. Even a new bit might not be sharp, a router bit like all cutting tools should be honed befor and during use.
If you don't like sanding you can try scraping. But what ever you do, you will end up removing more material than you will want to. Do you have enough stock to reroute the edge?
JohnP

**bonnie** · 06-19-2006, 06:01 PM

jOHN; I do have enough, but I'd hoped to just wipe out the burn. Turned out to be harder than I thought. I will try the scraper. I had no clue that new bits need to be
honed, but it makes sense. I need to read a few articles on sharpening. Thanks for the reply.

**JohnP** · 06-19-2006, 10:47 PM

Bonnie; John Lucas would be my recommendation as someone to ask about the best way to progress from here. While I and several others can explain what went worng and methods to fix it; John has the nack for being able to explain or teach someone, I don't make any claims in that area. You might send him an e-mail. The other would be Carol (the router Lady) but with her school and books and stuff she isn't always around. Both would be very good for this.
JohnP

**John Lucas** · 06-20-2006, 12:52 AM

John P, Thanks for the kind words. Fact is, what you said is right on. As to the honing, a good bit shouldnt equire it right out of the box. And if you do try to hone or sharpen at bit, use a very fine diamond sharpener on the flat back side of the bit...and be sure to keep the number of strokes the same for both cutters.
As to removing the burn, I dont know any other way than sandpaper or scraping. Pine is sosoft, the burn might be to some depth. Staining the pieces dark is another fix.