Marvel 40 3-in-1 Router Kit Press Release

The Marvel 40 3-in-1 Router Kit is getting the attention it deserves. Below is the soon to be published press release:

MARVEL 40 3-in-1 ROUTER KIT is the most versatile trim router kit on the market. Made by MLCS Woodworking, this 30,000RPM, 1HP compact router has collets for both 1/4” and 1/8” shank router bits. The Marvel 40 comes with the standard Laminate Trimmer base, but this kit also includes a Plunging and Tilting Router Base, as well as a Cut-Out Base. It’s great for trimming, edge routing, making cut outs for electrical boxes, dado and groove cuts. This kit also includes two very useful accessory attachments: a Straight Edge Guide and a Circle Cutting Attachment for cutting circles up to 12” in diameter (perfect for speaker boxes).
Made with all ball bearing construction and a 5 amp motor for a longer life, and featuring a ergonomic handle for ease of use, all stored in a heavy duty plastic case, this router kit is ready for any job site. You will also be able to change bits very quickly on-site with the convenient Collet Lock and Collet Wrench. And just to make this kit even more complete a 1/8” Spiral Cut-Out Bit is included. Quality, performance, versatility, and a 3 Year Warranty for only $89.95 this is one of the best priced trim routers in its class. Add in all extras and the price blows away the competition!

For more information contact MLCS at: 1-800-533-9298 or visit their website at www.MLCSwoodworking.com.

Router Bit and Router Table Tune Up Tips

The temps are dropping and us woodworkers begin our yearly migration from the back yard to the basement. Now is the time to get prepared. Below are a few hopefully useful tips on tuning up your router bits and router table:

Router Bits:

1) Remove any pitch build up. There are a lot of products available to clean bits and blades. Follow the directions. Some products may want you to remove the bearings others may not. A stiff bristle toothbrush is always useful in this process.

2) Keep your cutting edge sharp. Once the carbide is clean you can use a diamond hone to sharpen your bits. It is easy because you are only honing the front flat face of the carbide using a fine grit hone. You could do this once or more per year depending on how often you use the bits. If a router bit is getting too dull it may be beyond just touching it up with a diamond hone. You could get it re-sharpened at your local shop (if it still exists) or ***Warning – Bias Opinion*** it will usually cost less to buy a new bit.

3) Inspect the cutting edges for any chips in the carbide. Any large chips can cause the router bit to spin out of balance and also cause a poor cut. Any bit with significant chipping should be replaced.

4) Clean and lubricate the ball bearings. Clean off all dust and pitch build up and put a drop of router bit bearing lubricant. If the bearing still feels rough when spinning it may be time to replace it. ***Warning – Bias Opinion*** It is much cheaper for a new bearing, then to have one break and ruin some good lumber or a project. This is really where you want to be proactive.

Router Table:

1) Again the first thing to do is clean the table. Make sure any build up of sawdust or pitch is removed, especially on the fence face, tabletop, and micro adjusting screws and knobs. If you have a removable router plate, remove it and make sure there is no build up where the plate sits, or anywhere that would make the plate out of level.

2) Check your router plate for flat using a square or ruler. Place a straight edge across the plate extending all the way across the plate side to side. Look for any gap under the straight edge. Do this again in the front to back direction on the plate. If you have a plate made out of a thinner plastic or acrylic that has been holding up a heavy router in the heat all summer it may sag in the center. It may need to be replaced.

3) Depending on the material your router table is made of you may want to apply a surface lubricant and sealer.

4) Check all that screws are tight mounting your router base to the insert plate. The vibration of a season of running your router may have caused some screws to come loose. It is always a safe practice to check all screws and bolts before each use.

Welcome to the MLCS Woodworking Blog

This is the first blog entry for MLCS Woodworking. We will try to cover various woodworking topics, useful woodworking and shop tips, as well as introduce you to some new products. Please let us know if you find this blog interesting and useful. Visit MLCSwoodworking.com for free shipping on all our products in the contiguous USA, as well as free how to videos and project plans.