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Interesting article in the August issue of "Fine Woodworking" On Page 55 the title is "Climb-Cutting - Don't believe the Naysayers" The Author, Chris Cochnour, lauds climb-cutting inn the 4 page article. The only No-nos he gives are; a)When the router is trapped or tethered, b)not on a router table, c)unless a jig is used.

This guy believes that climb cutting gives better/smoother results.

[quote="charlese"]Interesting article in the August issue of "Fine Woodworking" On Page 55 the title is "Climb-Cutting - Don't believe the Naysayers" The Author, Chris Cochnour, lauds climb-cutting inn the 4 page article. The only No-nos he gives are]

I indulge, occasionally, in climb-cutting but I do it only with the greatest of care. I really hate it when the router tries to go somewhere other than where I had intended.

Grab a hold with both hands, get your feet properly positioned under you and go for it - slowly and carefully.

I don't do it often enough to speak to smoothness of cut.

One doesn't climb cut on a milling machine without securely clamping either!:eek:;)

Absolute control is not optional!:D

Not for the timid either.

Watch the grain!!!!!!!

I had a lot of trouble routing mahogany - it kept tearing and splitting. Climb cutting was the only way to go.

With regular routing, the bit "scoops" up the wood, and can lift a splinter rather than cut it. With climb cutting, the bit chops into the wood ahead of the bit. Yes it usually leaves a wavy edge, but a second pass clean this up.

I was an advocate of climb cutting but since finding Integrity Router bits I have had to use it less and less.

Many of integrity's router bits instead of being cut perfectly vertical have a slight slant. This allows them to slice rather that (for a lack of a better word) pry the chip off.

I see the difference as a similar comparison between a gouge on a lather compared with a scraping skew. I don't think I used the right terms but I mean when you are on a lathe and you hold the tool at an angle and using just the corner begin shave off a ribbon of material. versus when you hold the tool almost perpendicular and horizontal and sort of scrape off material.

Both accomplish the cut but the shaving cut is nearly smooth enough to finish as is.

Does that make sense?

I've done some climb cutting, boy can that be exciting!

Much like sawing, sharp cutting teeth and a slower rate of feed seem to yield nicer cuts. I'd rather go with that aproach.

Climb cutting on the table is not TOO dangerous. Don't like doing it.
Ever try to climb cut a cove on the end of a stile? I don't recommend it!

Charles Neil used to have a video of bump cutting to reduce the possibility of tearout. You might look for it.