Whether you’re a professional woodworker or a hobbyist, you likely use different cutters to achieve a variety of styles and effects. Rosette knives easily attach to most drill presses and are ideal for creating gorgeous trim and furniture accents. Below, you’ll find a helpful guide on how to incorporate their use in your projects.

4 Steps for Using Rosette Knives

1. Use the Right Wood

The type of wood you choose to use will have a significant impact on the quality of your finished project. Hardwoods with tighter grains, such as cherry, birch, mahogany, and maple, will yield cleaner cuts with minimal tearout. Avoid the use of softer woods like pine since its loose grain makes it more susceptible to cut damage.

2. Run the Drill at the Correct Speed

You must run rosette knives at lower speeds of 300 to 350 rotations per minute. Operating these interchangeable blades at a slower pace will prevent you from burning the stock or causing unnecessary tearouts. If you’re not using interchangeable cutter heads, you can increase your drill rpm. Always use these cutters on a stationary machine.

3. Clamp Down Securely

Always clamp down wooden planks to your drill press. Longer planks are easier to attach to the table securely. Clamping is especially crucial because rosette knives don’t have center points, which causes them to grab the wood as it cuts. Firmly clamping down the wood instead of holding it in place will keep the planks from dislodging and causing injury.

4. Watch out for Chatter

Since these knives tend to scrape rather than cut, chatter is common. Chatter occurs when the blade skips across the surface of the wood, causing vibrations and creating parallel lines. The best way to avoid this is by slowing the rate at which you feed the wood into the press. If you notice any rough spots caused by chatter, sand them down.

When you need rosette knives to embellish your woodworking projects, contact Hot Knives LLC. They offer custom woodworking knives for high-end finished carpentry to clients throughout Saint Louis, MO. To order shaper, corrugated, or carbide moulder knives, call (314) 963-3322. Visit the website to learn more about free UPS second-day air shipping on products.