RIDGID R29303N Operator's Manual page 9

OPERATION
SELECTING DEPTH OF CUT
Proper depth of cut depends on several factors: the horse-
power of the router motor, the type of bit, and the type of
wood. A lightweight, low horsepower router is designed for
making shallow cuts; a router with higher horsepower is
designed for deeper cuts. Small bits, such as veining bits
with 1/16 in. cutting diameters, are designed to remove only
small amounts of wood. Large bits, such as straight-flute
bits, remove larger amounts of wood and make deeper cuts
in soft woods, such as white pine.
Choose a depth of cut that will not place excessive strain on
the router motor. If you need extra force or the motor speed
slows down considerably, turn off the router and reduce the
depth of cut. Then, make the cut in two or more passes.
When routing a groove that is too deep to safely cut in one
pass, make the cut in several passes. We recommend that
cuts be made at a depth not exceeding 1/8 in. and that
several passes be made to reach deeper cuts.
SETTING DEPTH OF CUT FOR FIXED BASE
ROUTING
See Figures 5 - 6, page 17.
The bit depth can be adjusted by turning the depth adjust-
ment knob clockwise or counterclockwise. The depth setting
can be read on the depth adjustment knob. Each mark on
the scale indicates a 1/64 in. change in depth setting.
 Unplug the router.
 Loosen the lock lever.
 Turn the depth adjustment knob counterclockwise to
increase the depth of cut or clockwise to decrease the
depth of cut.
NOTE: It should not be possible to make depth adjust-
ments with the lock lever tightened. If depth adjustments
are possible with the lock lever tightened, an adjustment
to the lock lever needs to be made. See Adjustments.
 When the desired depth of cut is set, tighten the lock
lever.
NOTE: To adjust the depth of cut when the router is mounted
to a router table, loosen the lock lever, turn the depth adjust-
ment knob until the bit reaches the desired depth of cut, and
retighten the lock lever.
When the router is mounted to a router table, depth adjust-
ments can be made easily by using the supplied T-handle
wrench.
To make through table adjustments:
 Unplug the router.
 Loosen the lock lever.
 Insert the T-handle wrench through the hole in the router
table into the hole on the subbase, and place the end of
the wrench socket over the adjusting nut.
 Turn the wrench counterclockwise to decrease the depth
of cut or clockwise to increase the depth of cut.
NOTE: It should not be possible to make depth adjust-
ments with the lock lever tightened. If depth adjustments
are possible with the lock lever tightened, an adjustment
to the lock lever needs to be made. See Adjustments.
 When the desired depth of cut is set, tighten the lock
lever.
WARNING:
Do not use with router tables that fail to conform
to safe woodworking practices and offer proper
guarding for the bit. Use router tables that are UL
classified and identified suitable for use with the
specific router model. Failure to comply can result
in an accident causing possible injury.
WARNING:
Only use router tables with proper guarding
for the bit and with on-board switch controlled
receptacles. Failure to use router tables with
appropriate safety features could result in serious
personal injury.
SETTING DEPTH OF CUT FOR PLUNGE BASE
ROUTING
See Figures 7 - 8, pages 17 - 18.
The bit depth can be adjusted on the plunge base with a two
way system. The depth stop bar, located on the side of the
router, measures bit depth in 1/32 in. and should be used
when making large adjustments to the cutting depth. The
plunge depth stop knob, located on the base of the router,
measures depth cuts in 1/64 in. and should be used when
making small adjustments to the cutting depth.
The plunge depth stop knob and the depth stop bar make
it possible to make repetitive cuts in successive passes. A
preset cutting depth is achieved by plunging the router until
the depth stop bar comes in contact with the plunge depth
stop knob.
Before setting your desired depth of cut, use the depth stop
bar and plunge depth stop knob to establish the "zero point"
of the workpiece.
NOTE: The zero point is normally the top surface of the
workpiece.
To establish the zero point:
 Unplug the router.
 Install the bit you intend to use for cutting.
 Place the plunge base on a flat surface or on the
workpiece.
 Loosen the locking arm to allow the unit to return to it's
full upward position.
9 - English