Hey everyone, I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed while trying to use a mitre lock bit on bloodwood for a project. No matter what speed I set my router to, I just can't seem to get those flush-to-the-fence cuts right. Has anyone out there experienced this? Any tips to make it work would be really appreciated!
3 Answers
You're definitely not alone in struggling with bloodwood! It can be pretty tough to work with. A lot of folks recommend doing multiple passes with the mitre lock bit to get a nice finish. If you have a shaper, that might help too, but stick to multiple passes for sure.
I totally get your frustration! Before cutting the actual piece, I suggest practicing on some scrap wood that matches the thickness of your bloodwood. Once you nail the setup with the scrap, try using a denser hardwood, like rock maple, for more practice—it’ll help you get the hang of it!
I've had rough experiences with routing bloodwood, too. The chipping and tear-out can be a nightmare! If you have another hardwood, maybe test it out first to see how the bit performs before going back to the bloodwood.