Routing Cedar

[bob123]

Im really nervous to route my truss rod. Is there any way to go about this where I wont explode the wood on contact? Drilling out the material seems risky for such a long, straight line, but I also dont want to have the wood chip out like crazy either. Im thinking about using some thinned out epoxy to stabilize it a little bit perhaps?

Any advice is EXTREMELY welcome here.

[westhemann]

Use a sharp bit and rout it straight like everyone else does.If the router shatters the wood then the wood sucked anyway.

[bob123]

I just know cedar is .... "finnicky" I just dont want a huge mess of things is all.

[killemall8]

ceder is extremely soft. It will cut like butter... Unless theere is extreme runout, then it might splinter. But other than that it should work just fine... Just rout it.

[bob123]

Kk thanks guys

[ScottR]

er...like any other route, don't go the whole depth at once. If you're really worried make even shallower passes.

SR

[pauliemc]

iv been doing cedar necks for years, stuff cuts like marsh mallow its so soft . do 3 passes with a router, you should have no issues. just use a good straight template & take your time.

[Mattia]

Which 'cedar' are we talking about? Western Red (not real cedar), spanish cedar (cedrella odorata, not real cedar), atlas/cedar of lebanon (real cedar)?

But what other folks have said holds true: if you're worried about blowing it up with a router bit doing a straight 1/4" channel, either the wood wasn't up for it, and/or you're a bit excessively worried about your router. Maybe read and practice a little routing various materials so you gain an appreciation of what a router can and cannot do, and how you should or should not be routing wood to avoid chipping and blowouts? I mean, sometimes they can't be avoided, but still.