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B C ROUTER D REVOLUTION Has the Onsrud inverted A router revolutionized the woodworking industry? Michael Burton finds out

E better quality work up to 10 times faster F than by using a hand router, bandsaw or scrollsaw. Standard routing will provide the 1 A. Handle user a cut of ⁄2” depth, even on CNC B. Table machines, whereas an Onsrud can cut 1 C. Dial 1 ⁄2” three times as much in one plunge, D. Guide pin or tripling the speed of production if you E. Switch like – impressive stuff.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY THE AUTHOR PHOTOGRAPHS THE BY F. Foot pedal What is particularly striking when The Onsrud inverted router model 500SS using model 500SS, the machine I was primarily concerned with, was the ease of use. When set up correctly, this pin router will save a great deal of time, nthusiasm for the range of is the only available machine of its type. energy and expense – important factors Onsrud inverted routers is That type being a routing system where that need to be considered. infectious, so I was more than the cutting tool is elevated from below E ready to get to grips with the the table into the workpiece, guided by machinery on offer. an overarm pin which fits neatly into C.R.Onsrud has been in the a template easily manoeuvred by the woodworking business for almost 30 operator. So plunge routing and profiling, years, delivering high-specification either inside or outside a wide and varied routers to different levels of the industry. range of materials is possible without the The range features sophisticated CNC use of expensive bearing-guided tooling. models for large-scale production, or Onsrud holds a worldwide patent for this the inverted routers offering a hands-on machine. approach, which can readily complement It is certainly true that they are CNC work in larger production units or simple to use and highly efficient for be equally at home in smaller workshops both custom-made or production work. for lighter use. But do the manufacturer’s They are relatively safe to use, produce claims that these machines have little noise, little dust and even less revolutionized the woodworking industry vibration, and the resulting work looks have real substance? near-perfect. On these levels the Onsruds are in a different league altogether to one of a kind standard overhead routers. It is easy to In its favor, and to my knowledge, this believe the claims that they can produce The Onsrud inverted router model 750SS

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The cutter and guide pin coming together Hands on...guiding the template

of the material being machined, which turret depth stop for repeated cuts, while design in turn is placed face-down on the table. allowing for the full range of travel in In terms of design, the Onsrud model No clamping is required as the work is between by means of an easily accessible reverses the conventional overhead sandwiched between the template and adjusting lever. This is useful, if, for router setup by placing the spindle in the tabletop. Using this method is child’s instance, cuts need to be made in two the solidly built, welded steel base of the play; simply follow the template path passes or if you are cutting at a different machine rather than having it suspended with the guide pin, and presuming the level. at the end of the cantilevered overarm, cutter has been set to the correct depth of The lack of dust on the table after which makes for greater rigidity, stability cut – again a quick and simple procedure several operations of this nature is and a reduction in play. Naturally this – then the whole operation is foolproof. testimony to the efficiency of the dust will lessen cutting-tool vibration, so feed As it happens, I managed to cut out a speed can be increased resulting in a rather nice, mini rocking horse figure in smoother finish. There should also be a matter of seconds, leaving me feeling less bit breakage and chatter. pleased with myself while acquiring a So as the foot pedal is depressed, Christmas present for my youngest boy! the spindle will rise and guide pin A standard range of four guide pins of fall in unison, and at a cutter speed various diameters are available to cater 1 of 20,000rpm can rout out up to 1 ⁄2” for different sizes of template paths, 3 hardwoods and ⁄4” softwoods in one and changing from one to another is a pass. swift operation. Different sizes are also The guide pin is located above the available. work in the cast-iron overarm, it too cutting extends and retracts pneumatically When cutting to depth, as with with the foot pedal, slotting simply and conventional routers, there are upper neatly into the template placed on top and lower stops and a three-position The depth stops are easy to adjust ➥

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Excellent dust extraction makes for safer and more Automatic spindle lubrication efficient working

➥ extraction system at work here, the cutter does its primary job of cutting the guesswork out of the process and adding dust being drawn through pattern holes new wood and not re-cutting sawdust, to the simplicity factor which crops up in the template, and then through the making for speedier workrates and a time and again with this machine. 4” opening into an exhaust chamber cutter which will stay sharper for longer. So much so, that it is not so easy to to the rear of the machine and into A feature worthy of a mention is the find a great deal to say about it, without whatever suction system is in place. self-lubrication system in place which resorting to superlatives, however its So most airborne dust particles are automatically pre-lubricates the spindle simplicity is a virtue and when aligned removed, making for a safer working bearings each time the spindle is started, to its versatility and efficiency – it makes environment. At the same time the so they never start dry thus taking the for a rare combination. ■

SPECIFICATIONS

Throat capacity – 20” Table size: 24” x 36” Motorized spindle: 22,000rpm, 3hp 220V, 1PH 1 5 3 1 Quick-change guide pins included: ⁄4”, ⁄16”, ⁄8”, ⁄2” Shipping weight: 420lbs Price: Model 500SS: $ 3340

CONTACT DETAILS Contact: C.R. Onsrud Tel: 1-800-638-8185 Web: www.cronsrud.com

The finished test piece

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