Router Kickback in Ultra Slow 19,000 FPS and How to Avoid It

Today we’re watching slow motion router kickbacks at 19,000 FPS and talking about how to avoid it. I go over the three main causes and different techniques for routing safely. I also say the word “massive” as many times as humanly possible. Thank you to Bits and Bits for Sponsoring this video. There is a discount code in the pinned comment and description. I really can’t wait to see what you create! Let me know what you’d like to see next. Thanks for watching! Please like, comment and subscribe. Cheers!
----
----
----
----
----
----
Woodworking in SLOW MOTION Playlist:
----
----
Check me out on social media:
----
Tools I love:
MY CNC MACHINES (I highly recommend both)
----
Camera Gear:

[thomaskorn]

About a year or so ago I was working on a project where it was an absolute pain to get close to the template and I just wanted to get the project over with. I tried taking too much material off at the end grain and the bit had caught the wood and pulled my hand into the bit. It hurt A LOT, but fortunately for me the wound wasn’t very big, just painful. It had fully healed after maybe about 1 week or a little longer. It was definitely a wake up call for me because I know it could have been MUCH worse. Everyone please be safe and take your time before you make a cut you’re uncomfortable with. I 100% agree with getting spiral bits over straight bits. I understand they cost more but they are well worth the money and definitely safer. I’m sure if I had just paid the little extra, I wouldn’t have hurt myself.

[dmd]

Just recently started working with a shop that hires people that have zero experience working in a wood shop. We introduced the router table today and I asked them to watch this video before beginning to use it. You have put together an excellent video. Thanks

[GiacoWhatever]

You’re making me fall in love with slowmo again...

[Zogg]

2 squirrels humping in a wool sock!!!" AWESOME!!!! 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂

[michaelplowcha]

Great video! I have been trying to explain some of this to my students to help them prevent injury when using our class router. This slow-mo explanation really helps!

[ElliotFriend]

"Two squirrels humping in a wool sock." This is what keeps me coming back!! 🤣

[billybrown]

The failure point causing the kick-back in your video samples is due to the lack of holding the workpiece. I would recommend using a Router Shield to get a better attachment point of the template. The template will need to be attached to the top side of the workpiece and the template is attached to the bottom side of the router shield. You can configure a template to the bottom side of the work piece and attach spacer blocks to the top side of the workpiece which attach to the Router Shield.

Please note the bit rotation. The majority of router bits available are for clockwise rotation. When the router is inverted in a router table, the bit rotation will be counterclockwise. This means that the workpiece must be fed to the left side of the router bit.

Pre-cutting the workpiece is very beneficial. However, proper attachment of the template is important to ensure a proper copy of the template. With that said, properly holding and feeding of the workpiece into the bit is also essential. A Router Shield will completely change how you use a router table. You can purchase a Router Shield from mobile solutions.

[rjtumble]

That was surprising to see how much that straight bit wobbled. Cool stuff

[maxgainz]

I love your channel. You (and maybe one or two channels like yours) have helped this office jockey to become proficient enough to fix or build almost anything you would ever need in a house.

The hardware store sends you it thanks and love, my wife not so much 😁

[Mark-jdfr]

You should consider the use of a starting pin in the router table insert plate.It gives some added support and control as the piece comes in contact with the bit.

[m.d.d.]

After the tablesaw, I consider the router table to be my most dangerous tool in the shop. And this video shows why. I have experienced more ... well ... change your drawers ... moments at the router table than at the tablesaw. Don't let that little bit fool you, it WILL rip a board right out of your hands, and might even take your hands with the board. Thanks for an excellent video.

[charlesthomas]

Thanks for this. I did my first flush-trimming last night and it was horrible and scary. This explained both WHY it happened, and what I could do in the future to make it less horrible.

[xXCerpicoXx]

The larger bit is also better due to angular velocity. The larger the bit, the faster the outer cutting surface is traveling at the same given RPM. Increases velocity combined with increased mass means the Wood has less of a chance to deflect or displace the bit. I get the bat and truck reference, but needed a few finer details. Great video!

[christopherford]

I really love the fact you took time out to explain this. I Just saved up and got my first routing table and i really needed this video. Now i just need to save up and buy some spiral flush trim bits. Thank you forever grateful.

[thfi]

I have routed for well over 20 years, and only use a straight bit. I rout end grain with no problems, because I make very shallow cuts, and do so very slowly. There was no mention of routing a small piece, which is just what it looked like was being done at the start of the video. My templates, as most people call them, are all two layers of 1/2" plywood glued together, this give a lot more grip when routing - but with something around 3" or so, I either stop routing entirely, or make a jig to hold the piece. Small pieces like that are hard to hold, and will get tossed by the bit pretty easily. It also helps to be slightly afraid of your power tool, it makes you work a lot more carefully.

[pff]

Thanks—you have once again taught me a good lesson and justified me spending more on tools-keep it up !!

[ironwood]

These videos are why JKM is my favorite. You really dive deep into things about woodworking that no one else really does. Thanks

[glenpark]

Thanks so much for taking the time to film and post this. For newbie woodworkers like myself it's extremely informative and fascinating to watch. Very appreciated!

[coreygrua]

One of the smartest woodworkers on YouTube. I do enjoy the straight talk, but I can do without the squirrels.

[roystidomsthend]

This video helped me immensely. I've been getting very frustrated with wood tear out and I didn't know what I was doing wrong. Now I do and I'm ordering one of those mega flush trim bits today. Thank you.