[StumpyNubs]

I am writing a chapter for a new book on routers that deals with climb-cutting. Part of the chapter is about situations when climb-cutting is actually a GOOD idea. So far I've covered the list of situations below. But do you have any other situations when you thing climb-cutting is the better choice as compared to standard push-cutting?

So far I've covered:

-When a push-cut will lever up the grain.
-When routing into open spaces, such as large, shallow mortises and inlays.
-When routing around a curve (start at the apex and climb-cut in one direction, push cut in the other)
-When jointing veneers between two panels to avoid going against the grain

I am sure I am forgetting some situations, but sometimes you get writer's block and need to ask for help.

EDIT:

We made a video about some of the things I mentioned above. It's on LumberJocks in the blog section here.

Here's what it's about-

 

[StumpyNubs]

Thanks Brian. One thing, though. Even though your router table tip isn't a bad one, and I have done it myself, when you write a book you can't have ANYTHING in it that may be construed as unsafe. And in general, it is a no-no to climb-cut on the router table. If I get into a situation where I have to say "it's ok if you just do a tiny bit on the end of the work piece," then people will debate about how much a tiny bit is, and some idiot will lode his fingers taking it too far.

 

[StumpyNubs]

I think the point is it is a LOT easier to keep a firm grip on a pair of big, ergonomic, rubber-coated handles than on a flat piece of wood, which usually has no handholds at all. Also, if the bit grabs and pulls on a router table, it is pulling your fingers directly TOWARD the bit. If a bit catches on a handheld router, it pulls the bit AWAY from your hands.

That said, there are ways to keep your fingers away from a router table's bit, including paddles and push blocks. So, I am not saying I would never climb-cut on a router table, under the right conditions. But I would be a lot more nervous about it that I would with a hand-held router. And that opinion is shared almost universally across the woodworking world.