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Basswood being a hair above softwood tears and chips easily.

Higher or lower speeds on a router, which is preferable? Does it make a difference in your experience?

I don't change the speed, but I do "back cut" certain areas where the grain is most likely to tear out. Once I get those areas close then I go around and to a clean up pass around the whole piece. Hope that helps.

The direction you lead into the cut will be more important than speed. The cutting edge of the tool should be the lead of the cut, that way chips will be carried away from the piece. Back cutting is good for clean up, but chips can get pulled between the tool and the work, this is not good when making deeper cuts, as when the chip gets to the edge of the grain it can rip a piece out.
I hope I put that correct. Moving the tool too fast down the cut, can also cause chipping at the end of a cut. High speed slow feed.


Dan

Thanks Panther and Lucky Spur. I always try not to take off too much material with each pass. Hopefully your suggestions will help.