MK1 Steel router build log 1500x800x200

[Neale]

I used a 50mm two-edged bottom-cutting bit running at 6000 rpm in my 2.2KW router. It stalled quite easily and I had to use very shallow depths of cut (1-2mm, from memory). However, that was in oak. Rather than skim the whole bed, I clamped oak strips down to the steel bed supports, skimmed those, and then screwed a 19mm ply sheet on top. This allowed me to take the bed surface out to the edges of the bed, where the router could not reach. Good enough for working in wood, and if I need better for a small job, I skim a spoil board for that job.