What is the purpose of a spoil board in routing operations?

• A. A magnetic surface to hold metal fasteners.
• B. A heat-dissipating board to reduce tool chatter.
• C. A sacrificial surface protecting the worktable and bits during routing.
• D. A decorative surface.

Answer: (C)

A spoil board is a sacrificial surface that protects the worktable and router bits during routing. It is a replaceable layer attached to the router table, designed to absorb the wear and potential damage from bits plunging, chipped edges, or misfeeds. Because the bit can cut into whatever surface sits beneath the stock, the spoil board takes that impact instead of the actual table, keeping the table flat and free from gouges. It also provides a stable base for clamping and hold-downs, and when it gets worn or scored you can surface or swap it out without affecting the table itself. The other ideas don’t fit because a spoil board isn’t meant to be magnetic, to dissipate heat, or to serve as a decorative surface.