How to work with a manual wood milling machine: instructions, working methods, milling cutters

Woodworking is an interesting, fascinating process. It allows you to make a variety of things. The master uses a special tool, one of which is a manual milling cutter. This special equipment requires proper handling. How to work with a manual milling cutter on wood will be discussed later.

Tool purpose

Working with a wood milling machine requires a certain skill from the master. You can master all the necessary skills in a short time. In this case, the master will be able to make almost any wood product. The range of operations that such equipment performs is wide. Before starting work, the master should familiarize himself with the instructions for working with the tool presented.

You need to start with the manufacture of simple designs and crafts. A master who does not have sufficient experience with the tool presented will easily cope with the creation of, for example, shelving, railings, hangers and stools. Over time, it will be possible to produce more complex structures. Using a tool, you can remake old furniture, breathing new life into it.

Considering the recommendations about working with a manual milling cutter on a tree for beginners, it should be noted that the tool will also allow you to make a selection of grooves to create connections, to insert locks. If you wish, you can even create an original drawing on the surface of the wood. The decor will be an original decoration for your product. Such a tool is sure to be useful to the master in everyday life.

Processing wood with a milling machine is quite simple. The master adjusts the cutting depth using a lifting mechanism. It connects the two main parts of the equipment, which are the base and the electric drive.

In other words, we can say that the depth parameters are set by setting a certain gap between the washer and the pin. They are located next to the engine. When moving, the machine withstands the same distance from the edge of the workpiece. For this, a special guide of a straight-line type is provided in the mechanism. In some models, it can be circular. This will allow you to process circles with a large radius.

If you want to perform milling of a small circle, a pin is inserted into the technological hole on the base at the required distance from the cutter.

Application area

Experienced craftsmen apply different techniques when working with a manual wood milling machine. This is a universal equipment that allows you to perform many carpentry work.

For instance:

1. Milling of flat, shaped surfaces, profiling of skirting boards, platbands, glazing beads or cornices.
2. Creation of recesses for technological and curly purposes. This, for example, can be ridges, grooves and so on.
3. Creating blind and pass-through holes.
4. Production of complex parts from wood, as well as their exact copying.
5. Drawing on prepared surfaces of drawings, engraving, patterns and other decor.
6. Insert hinges, locks on the door.
7. Creating a spike connection of various types. But this procedure is quite complicated, it requires a certain experience of mastering the instrument from the master.

How to work with a manual mill on a tree? It is necessary to prepare several improvised tools and materials in order to perform the correct processing of wood. So, you will need a cutter, chipboard or board, jigsaw. Also often used in the work of electric drill and drill file. It is necessary to prepare templates, and the master must have special clothing, goggles and a respirator.

The workpiece must be stationary. To do this, it must be firmly fixed with a clamp or vise. It is necessary to adhere to established recommendations for working with equipment. So, for example, you cannot cut a layer of wood thicker than 5 mm at a time. Deep grooves are selected in several passes. There are many other nuances of working with the equipment presented.

Variety of tools

There are different types of hand milling machines. They differ in the principle of work. There are three main varieties of milling cutters:

1. Vertical. This is a tool that is used to select grooves. The disadvantage of this equipment is the fact that the radius of the corners of the sample will correspond to the radius of the cutter used. If you use this selection tool for door hinges, you have to cut the corners manually. This type of instrument may differ in the adjustment mechanism. If it is motionless, the depth of cut will need to be set before starting work. During operations, it does not change. Submersible vertical milling machines have spring-loaded guides. Therefore, the cutting tool can be removed from the surface of the workpiece without tearing off the platform.
2. Edge milling cutters (wood milling cutters for manual processing - edging). May appear to be a small copy of a vertical instrument. The design is designed to lead the router on a ruler or template. The tool is used to create grooves, chamfers. This is a universal tool, since it can perform all the functions of a vertical variety of devices.
3. Keying tools. This is a professional tool that is especially convenient when cutting through a large number of grooves of a standard size.

For home and professional use, you need to purchase the appropriate model. Most often they get universal tools. To do this, you can purchase equipment with a removable base. The tool in this case will be able to perform the functions of both edge and submersible equipment. In this case, depending on the type of cutter selected, the master will be able to perform almost any woodwork.

Tips from experienced craftsmen

How to choose a manual wood router? Rating models, expert advice and customer reviews should be considered before buying. Professional craftsmen argue that it is better to purchase equipment that provides speed control. If it is planned to use a mill with a size of at least 8 mm, then the power of the device's engine should be from 800 to 1300 watts. Also, before you buy your favorite router, you need to pay attention to the immersion depth of the cutting tool. It depends on what maximum depth the groove will have.

It is best if the cutter is clamped with a cone collet. A lock button must be provided for the switch. The boom mechanism should work smoothly. The durability of the mechanism depends on this.

When choosing a Bosch, AEG, Makita router or a product of another well-known brand, you need to pay attention to the size of the cutting tool. The mill consists of a cylindrical shank, the diameter can vary from 6.8 to 12 mm. She also has a plot with a cutting edge. The choice depends on the specific tasks that the master must solve. This tool element can be prefabricated, monolithic or with a removable blade. The following types of cutting tools are also distinguished:

1. Groove. Used in the process of forming grooves.
2. Profile. Gives the edge a decorative look.
3. Edge or seam. Used during the processing of the edges of the workpiece.
4. Galtelnaya. It is used to create a notch in a U-shape.
5. Conical. Allows you to mow the edge of the workpiece at an angle of 45 °.
6. Moulding. The edge is obtained with its help rounded.

How to work with the tool?

It will be interesting for a novice master to get a lesson in working with a manual milling cutter from a tree from specialists. There is a simple instruction.

Before you start processing wood, you need to assemble a tool. The cutter is inserted into the collet chuck. It should have a suitable size. If necessary, you can replace the cartridge, if it is not designed for collets of the appropriate diameter. The shank must be tightened with a special key. The clamping force must be sufficient so that the cutter does not hang in the seat. Then you need to clamp the spindle. The tool is ready for use.

It is necessary to set the required cutting depth. To do this, fix the cutter in the appropriate position. To do this, you need to press on it. You can set the exact depth by setting the corresponding position of the limit knob. It has several degrees.

Next, you need to set the cutting speed correctly. This parameter must be calculated based on the material parameters and the size of the cutter. The relevant data are indicated in the table provided by the equipment manufacturer. Check that the settings are correct on the draft blank. Only then can we start finishing.

The milling cutter must be moved away from itself on a flat base. For circular machining, you need to move the tool counterclockwise.

Some tricks

How to work with a manual mill on a tree? There are several commonly used techniques that allow you to process the wood accordingly. They should be considered in more detail.

So, if you want to create a groove at the edge, the tool is installed so that the cutter hangs over the edge of the workpiece. It must be lowered to the required depth. Next, the cutter is fixed and proceed to processing. When the entire end is processed, the equipment is turned off. The latch loosens, the cutting tool is raised. If you want to create a blind groove, work in the same way. Only in this case you need to move not from the edge of the product.

Studying how to work with a manual milling machine on wood, it is worth considering the technology of creating a deep groove. It is necessary to adjust the correct cutter depth each time you pass the surface. Depth should be no more than 5 mm. The last layer can have a maximum depth of up to 1.5 mm.

If you need to process the end surface, a gentle slice is preliminarily made. The tool should move in the direction of rotation of the cutting tool, and then in the opposite direction. Butt thanks to such an action takes on a clear outline.

In some cases, the wizard applies patterns. With their help, curved edges are formed. For this, edges with a thrust ring are used. This is a plastic plate that moves along the template. The ring is fixed to the bottom of the router. Templates allow you to copy wooden parts in the required quantity.

Setting the milling depth. What should be considered?

Using a manual milling cutter for wood “Makita”, “Bosch” or products of other companies, you need to correctly set the depth of processing of the workpiece. This indicator may vary slightly for tools of different models. But the principle in this case remains the same. When the cutter reaches the required depth, the limiter presses on the step stop. This prevents the tool from crashing into the material further.

To correctly set the insertion depth, you must perform the following steps:

1. The tool is mounted on the workpiece by the supporting part.
2. The emphasis of the revolving type is set by its lowest structural element opposite the end of the bounding part.
3. The locking screw is released. The limiter in this case can move in the corresponding guides.
4. The mechanism that immerses the cutting tool in the workpiece is unlocked.
5. The motor will lower down until the cutter touches the surface.
6. Further, the motor mechanism is once again blocked.
7. After that, the limiter drops to the lowest level.
8. Next, you need to set the limiter slider, which is set to zero.
9. After performing such manipulations, the limiter must be raised up to the level to which the slider on the scale will show the specified level of the recess. This procedure can be carried out by moving the limiter by hand or a fine-tuning mechanism.
10. The locking screw is clamped to lock the slider in position.
11. The immersion mechanism is unlocked. The mill with the motor rises up.

This allows the motor and cutter to be lowered to a predetermined lower position. If the depth should be large, processing is carried out in stages.

List of the best

What manual wood milling machine to choose? Rating will make the right decision. It was compiled on the basis of customer reviews and experts.

The best vertical models are:

1. Bosch GMF 1600 CE - 37.5 thousand rubles.
2. Makita RP1800F - 21.5 thousand rubles.
3. Hitachi M12V2 - 17.8 thousand rubles.

The best edge milling machines are named:

1. Bosch GKF 600 Professional - 12.2 thousand rubles.
2. Makita 3709 - 5.7 thousand rubles.
3. "Encore FME-850" - 4 thousand rubles.

Vertical Model Reviews

The milling cutter Bosch 1600 CE, according to reviews, has well-thought-out ergonomics. It is universal, allows you to perform various procedures during the processing of wood. The manufacturer also provided a rich set. The disadvantage of this model is its high cost. This is one of the best milling machines, which belongs to the category of professional equipment. Its disadvantage is its high cost.

Manual milling cutter for wood "Makita" RP1800F is a convenient device that is used by both professionals and home craftsmen. He has comfortable pens, and the processing quality is quite high. The advantage of the model is the ability to penetrate up to 70 mm into the material.

Hitachi M12V2 is also a frequently purchased model. It is characterized by an optimal ratio of price and quality. At the same time, a powerful motor is installed in this equipment. The disadvantage of this model is the inconvenient start key, as well as coarse adjustment of the depth of immersion.

Edge Model Reviews

One of the best buyers call Bosch GKF 600 Professional. It is characterized by high quality, stable performance and significant functionality. This is a convenient, quite powerful tool. Adjustment is simple, which improves operating comfort. The disadvantage of this model is the availability of only a direct base. If you need a platform with an angle adjustment, you will have to buy it separately.

The acceptable price is characterized by the Makita 3709. It has a comfortable grip and a powerful engine. The disadvantage is buyers call the plastic base.

Domestic manufacturers also produce high-quality and relatively inexpensive milling cutters for the wood of the Enkor milling cutter. The model FME-850 is ideally suited for manual processing of material. This is a good option for beginners. The presented milling cutter is used for home use.