OPERATOR'S MANUAL R161 ROUTER DOUBLE INSULATED SPECIFICATIONS: Depth Of Cut Collet Horsepower Rating Amperes No Load Speed Net Weight 0 - 1-1/2 in. (0 - 38.1 mm) 1/4 in. (6.4 mm) 1-1/2 HP 120 Volts, 60Hz, AC Only 8.0 25,000 RPM 7.8 lbs. (3.5 kg) THANK YOU FOR BUYING A RYOBI ROUTER. Your new router has been engineered and manufactured to Ryobi's high standard for dependability, ease of operation, and operator safety. Properly cared for, it will give you years of rugged, trouble-free performance.
TABLE OF CONTENTS ■ Table of Contents and Introduction ................................................................................................................ 2 ■ Rules for Safe Operation ............................................................................................................................ 3-5 ■ Electrical and Unpacking ............................................................................................................................... 6 ■ Features ..................
RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION The purpose of safety symbols is to attract your attention to possible dangers. The safety symbols, and the explanations with them, deserve your careful attention and understanding. The safety warnings do not by themselves eliminate any danger. The instructions or warnings they give are not substitutes for proper accident prevention measures. SYMBOL MEANING SAFETY ALERT SYMBOL: Indicates danger, warning, or caution. May be used in conjunction with other symbols or pictographs.
RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION Safe operation of this power tool requires that you read and understand this operator's manual and all labels affixed to the tool. Safety is a combination of common sense, staying alert, and knowing how your router works. ■ ■ READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS ■ KNOW YOUR POWER TOOL. Read the operator's ■ manual carefully. Learn the applications and limitations as well as specific potential hazards related to this tool.
RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION ■ NEVER USE IN AN EXPLOSIVE ATMOSPHERE. Normal sparking of the motor could ignite fumes. ■ INSPECT EXTENSION CORDS PERIODICALLY and replace if damaged. ■ INSPECT TOOL CORDS PERIODICALLY and if damaged, have repaired at your nearest authorized service center. Stay constantly aware of cord location. ■ KEEP HANDLES DRY, CLEAN, AND FREE FROM OIL AND GREASE. Always use a clean cloth when cleaning.
ELECTRICAL EXTENSION CORDS ELECTRICAL CONNECTION When using a power tool at a considerable distance from the power source, use an extension cord heavy enough to carry the current that the tool will draw. An undersized extension cord will cause a drop in line voltage, resulting in a loss of power and causing the motor to overheat. Use the chart provided below to determine the minimum wire size required in an extension cord. Only round jacketed cords listed by Underwriter's Laboratories (UL) should be used.
FEATURES KNOW YOUR ROUTER WARNING: See Figure 1. Before attempting to use your router, familiarize yourself with all operating features and safety requirements. Always wear safety goggles or safety glasses with side shields when operating your router. Failure to do so could result in dust, shavings, loose particles or foreign objects being thrown into your eyes, causing possible serious injury. WARNING: Do not allow familiarity with your router to make you careless.
ADJUSTMENTS SPINDLE LOCK WARNING: Your router should never be connected to a power supply when you are assembling parts, making adjustments, installing or removing cutters, or when not in use. Disconnecting your router will prevent accidental starting that could cause serious injury. INSTALLING/REMOVING CUTTERS 1 3 1 2 See Figures 2 and 3. 3 2 ■ Unplug your router.
ADJUSTMENTS DEPTH OF CUT ADJUSTMENTS See Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7. We recommend that cuts be made at a depth not exceeding 1/8 in. (3 mm) and that several passes be made to reach depths of cut greater than 1/8 in. (3 mm). ■ Unplug your router. DEPTH INDICATOR RING INDICATOR POINT WARNING: Failure to unplug your router could result in accidental starting causing serious injury. ■ Place your router on a flat surface, unlock clamping lever, and turn depth adjusting ring until cutter is inside subbase.
OPERATION WARNING: Keep a firm grip on router with both hands at all times. Failure to do so could result in loss of control leading to possible serious injury. For ease of operation and maintaining proper control, your router has two handles, one on each side of the router base. When using your router hold it firmly with both hands as shown in Figure 8. Turn router on and let motor build to its full speed, then gradually feed cutter into workpiece. Remain alert and watch what you are doing.
OPERATION WARNING: DEPTH OF CUT Keep a firm grip on router with both hands at all times. Failure to do so could result in loss of control leading to possible serious injury. WIDTH OF CUT TOO SLOW FEEDING (Continued) In addition, it is more difficult to control a router when the bit is scraping instead of cutting.
OPERATION WARNING: ROUTER WORK Keep a firm grip on router with both hands at all times. Failure to do so could result in loss of control leading to possible serious injury. ROUTING Whenever you are routing a groove, your travel should be in a direction that places whatever guide you are using at the right-hand side. In short, when the guide is positioned as shown in the first part of Figure 12, tool travel should be left to right and counterclockwise around curves.
OPERATION WARNING: Keep a firm grip on router with both hands at all times. Failure to do so could result in loss of control leading to possible serious injury. FREEHAND ROUTING See Figure 14. When used freehand, your router becomes a flexible and versatile tool. This flexibility makes it possible to easily rout signs, relief sculptures, etc. There are two basic techniques for freehand routing: ■ Routing letters, grooves, and patterns into wood. See Figure 14.
OPERATION #10-32 PAN HEAD SCREW 5/16-18 X 3/4 IN. FLATHEAD SCREW BASE BASE SUBBASE Fig. 17 Fig. 16 WARNING: WARNING: Do not use with router tables that fail to conform to safe wood working practices and offer proper guarding for the cutter. Failure to comply can result in an accident causing possible serious injury. Use only 5/16-18 x 3/4 in. machine screws to mount the router in an inverted position for table use.
MAINTENANCE PROPER CARE OF CUTTERS Get faster more accurate cutting results by keeping cutters clean and sharp. Remove all accumulated pitch and gum from cutters after each use. When sharpening cutters, sharpen only the inside of the cutting edge. Never grind the outside diameter. Be sure when sharpening the end of a cutter to grind the clearance angle the same as originally ground. WARNING: Always wear safety goggles or safety glasses with side shields when operating your router.
OPERATOR'S MANUAL R161 ROUTER DOUBLE INSULATED EXTENSION CORD CAUTION When using a power tool at a considerable distance from a power source, be sure to use an extension cord that has the capacity to handle the current the tool will draw. An undersized cord will cause a drop in line voltage, resulting in overheating and loss of power. Use the chart to determine the minimum wire size required in an extension cord. Only round jacketed cords should be used.
