Router burn on hardwoods

It actually happens when you move too slow, not too fast. If you pause at any point, it can happen almost instantly. Cherry is particularly prone to this. The best way to avoid it is to make sure you have clean & sharp bits (which you say you have) and to move at a steady rate without pausing at all.

I avoid this by running two passes as apposed to a single. I run the router at a constant speed taking off 3/4 of the depth I want. I then run a second pass to clean everything up. As stated by Mike, make sure you run a constant speed and NEVER pause when routing.

Not moving fast enough is usually the cause for burning.

However, some woods, cherry for instance, are especially prone to burning and some burning is frequently unavoidable no matter what you do.

Moving too slowly will cause burning. Try making at least 2 passes, with the last pass being the lightest.

David

Ev> I'm having a problem with burning when using my router on hardwoods. Is this

For me, I take very small passes, and push the wood through the bit as fast as the bit will chomp thru it. And I use top shelp bits.

The November issue of Wood magazine has an article ("learn not to burn") that reinforces and elaborates on the advice others have already provided.

TWS