rebating with a trimmer advice needed

[johnny]

I am constructing a simple box with single rebated joints using 18mm hardwood veneered ply (Wickes ) .
I need to rebate 18mm x 12mm from the top and bottom sections for the sides of the box

I have done some experimenting and I'm finding that the wood is burning and the bit has lost its edge so I'm assuming that I am attempting to take off too much at once ?
Initially I made 5x full depth passes at max (6) speed ,taking approx 4mm at a time by the full 12mm depth of the rebate .Am I expecting too much of a Makita 007 trimmer ?
Should I be aiming to take less material off by taking more passes ? or should I be rebating half the depth (6mm ) with several passes at each depth ?
have I got the speed set too high ?

I'm impatient :roll:

 

[RobinBHM]

You could saw most it off by hand first, so the router is only taking a couple of mm off at most.

If you have a diamond stone, you could shatpen the bit, it can make a bit of difference. Also its worth cleanng the router bit if its got a build up of burnt residue, use thinners and a brush.

 

[johnny]

thak you Robin. I was just curious to know how much material I should take off in a pass as its making very hard work of it at 4mm x 12mm
If I had a table saw I'd probably have tried to cut them with that but all I have is a Circ saw .
It never occured to me to use a handsaw :roll: but then I would have had some very irregular surfaces to try and tidy up with the trimmer and it might have torn it up a bit.

I had intended to use 12mm ply so the 1/4" bit I bought was a 20x12mm however I found a good deal on 18mm so I should probably have used a larger bit but I'm not sure which one I should buy.
I think this bit is beyond saving as it has actually lost its profile. Luckily I have a couple of spares.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

The cutter has lost its profile? Are you using hss cutters? if you are, you're wasting your time. Decent cutters shouldn't wear like that, although ply will take the edge off quickly.
http://www.wealdentool.com/acatalog/Rou ... ers_1.html - funny, I just pointed someone else in their direction, so I'll do it again.

 

[Wuffles]

I believe he bought a silverline one Phil, after opinions on suppliers were given before.

 

[Adam9453]

I'd suggest like the others have, buy a better quality bit and cut the rebates in shallow passes. 12mm is fine width wise but you are asking a lot of the bit to cut 4x12mm in each pass. Try 1mm deep passes and see how you get on.
Also remember router bits often come covered in a oily or waxy Residue which needs cleaning off thoroughly with white spirit before you use them.

 

[johnny]

I'd suggest like the others have, buy a better quality bit and cut the rebates in shallow passes. 12mm is fine width wise but you are asking a lot of the bit to cut 4x12mm in each pass. Try 1mm deep passes and see how you get on.
Also remember router bits often come covered in a oily or waxy Residue which needs cleaning off thoroughly with white spirit before you use them.

1mm passes would result in a minimum of 18 passes each edge of the top and bottom which seems rather a lot . :shock:
I think I'd lose the will to live trying to adjust to 1mm on my diy setup!.
I think I was trying to take too much off at 4mm per pass because I was impatient and I was also rather concerned at the noise levels for my neighbours .

I'll try 2mm and reduce the speed a little . Perhaps the speed was also contributing to the burning due to the friction
Thanks for the advice