How to avoid chipping when routing end grain??!!

Question

I am getting bad chip out when routing the ends on cabinet door frames. I am getting really sick of it. I thought oak was bad, but now I am working in walnut, and it is even worse.

I have tried hitting the end first, but that doesn't help. Going real real real slow at the end does minimize it, but then it burns; which is better than chipping, but not much.

I have thought of ganging the pieces and putting some scrap on the end, but that seem dangerous because they don't have flat sides.

Any practical ideas? Thanks.

J.B. Bobbitt · Accepted Answer

Use a scrap backer-board.  It should be same dimensions as workpiece.See:  of info there.-JBB

Preston Andreas · Answer

I route the endgrain first.  The pass down the next side takes away thechipping.  Also, you can start with a climb cut on the end grain or use abacker board.  Having a quality, sharp bit also helps a lot.Preston

Wade Lippman · Answer

I didn't know what a climb cut was, so I did a google search.  The first tworeferences said it is dangerous without a powerfeed.Having tried it without knowing it had a name, guessing it might help, Ithink I agree.  I can easily picture the piece of wood flying into my facepretty fast.So, a backerboard...

Bay Area Dave · Answer

climb cutting IS dangerous.  I do it on purpose on the router table as a trick I learned for easily doing dovetails.  by marking all four pieces of a drawer and keeping the same edge towards the router fence, you don't have to be within a few thousandths of exact center when you "center" the bit for adjusting the dovetail template.  Just hold on for dear life when climb cutting.  I was doing that last night and this morning.  When I climb cut the pin boards I use a stop about 1/8" behind the router bit to limit the cut.  It would be much too dangerous without the stop.Wade Lippman wrote:

How to avoid chipping when routing end grain??!!

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