About Us
Contact Us
FAQ's

Starting pins make routing curved pieces with bearing-tipped bits a safe and effective procedure. Click image to enlarge

Router Plate Starter Pins

Simple safety technique

Text & Photos by Tom Hintz

Bearing tipped router bits extend the versatility of a router table by making it possible to get consistent width cuts in straight or curved stock that would be difficult to do using a fence. The problem with these freehand operations is starting the cut safely.

Using a starting pin does not reduce the need for good hand protection. Always use a good push handle or push block! Click image to enlarge

Plunging unsupported wood into a spinning bit is a recipe for a dangerous kickout. Large work pieces are less susceptible to being

kicked out but it remains possible - and dangerous. The answer is a deceptively low-tech starter pin that comes with virtually all router plates, lifts and tables.

Safety

Whenever working at the router table, use appropriate hand protection to maintain a safe distance between your fingers and the spinning bit. Using a starter pin does not take the place of well-made push handles or push blocks.

What It Is

Starting pins are a simple but highly effective safety device. Click image to enlarge

A starter pin is in fact a pin, usually 3/8" to ½"-diameter, that screws into tapped holes to either side of the router bit. Usually the starter pin holes are approximately 2 ¾" from the bit centerline though this may differ slightly depending on the manufacturer.

Starter pins are made several ways. Some are actually a bolt with a plastic sleeve that is used as the contact surface. Some, like the Woodpecker's Inc. version in the accompanying photos, are specially designed and machined just for this purpose.

Starter pin mounting holes are provided to either side of the bit to accommodate most routing jobs. For most tasks, the pin is mounted to the right of the bit. However, in some cases, only a portion of the work piece is to be routed. Installing the starter pin to the left of the bit can make these operations easier and safer.

(Top) Start with the wood against the starting pin only. (Middle) Carefully rotate the wood to the bit, keeping it against the starting pin. (Bottom) Move the wood across the bit, keeping it against the bearing and letting it move away from the starting pin after a few inches is cut. Click images to enlarge

Using a Starter Pin

It is important to remember that a starter pin does not change feed direction. The stock still must be fed against, not with the rotation of the bit. In most configurations, the wood is cut on the front side of the bit in relation to the operator. That means the wood is fed from right to left.

To start the cut, the wood is held against the starter pin and then rotated into the bit. When the wood contacts the bearing, begin the right to left movement, sliding the wood against the starter pin and bearing.

After cutting a few inches, contact with the starter pin is not necessary though some continue to use it and the bearing simultaneously. This can be difficult to do though. After a few inches of the cut, concentrate on keeping the wood in contact with the bearing on the bit for the remainder of the cut.

It is also important o know that heavy pressure against the bearing is not required and can be bad for the router bearings. Use only enough pressure to keep the wood in contact with the bearing.

Use the starter pin whenever the wood is being guided by hand rather than a fence. Even when making light

Click the image to see a short wmv video of using a starting pin.

passes, beginning each of them using the starter pin is the safest technique. The support of the starter pin also makes consistent cuts much easier to make.

Using a starter pin is a good habit to get into. It takes only seconds to install but can prevent dangerous kickouts and the injuries those accidents often inflict.

Have a comment on this story? - Email Me!

Back to the Tips & Tricks List