It’s not unusual for beginning do-it-yourselfers and woodworkers to be a little intimidated by routers. They’re loud, aggressive shaping tools and they sometimes seem to have a mind of their own when it comes to following a guide or the edge of a board. But by keeping a few basic points in mind, and with some practice, these extremely versatile tools will amaze you with the variety and quality of work they can produce.
Setup is a very important aspect of correct router usage. Make sure the bit is well secured in the collet and set to an appropriate cutting height. The workpiece must be secured, either with clamps or bench dogs or with a nonslip router pad like the one shown at left. If using a piloted edge-forming
bit, you won’t need a straightedge or guide for the router base to follow, although you secure scrap pieces the same thickness as the workpiece at each if you’re only routing one side (this prevents the router from following the corner and cutting into the adjacent sides). With non-piloted groove-forming bits, you’ll need to use a straightedge or router guide to keep the tool cutting on line.
Whether you’re using a fixed-base router or a plunge router, the bit should be spinning at full speed before you apply it to the workpiece. Wearing hearing and eye protection, engage the bit into the workpiece and draw it toward yourself, keeping your body out of the line of the tool as best you can. To be effective, the bit should cut against the rotation of the bit. In most cases, this means you should feed the router counterclockwise. Maintain an even cutting pace, and don’t set the router down until the bit has stopped spinning. Always practice your cut on scrap wood before cutting the workpiece.
Router 101: Router basics for absolute, total beginning woodworkers.
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The router is probably the second most important power tool for a woodworking shop.
Essential Router Skills – Tips, Tricks and Buying Advice
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Today we’re talking about essential router skills. In this video I’ll cover tips, tricks, cutting direction, pattern routing, conventional vs climb cutting, and what routers and bits I recommend to buy.
How To Use A Router | Newbie
If you’re BRAND NEW to the wood router, or powertools for the matter, then this video lesson is exactly what you need.
OVERVIEW: In today’s lesson I will be walking you through the different router options available. I’ll show you a GREAT basic router bit set that I highly recommend if you are looking for one. I’ll be explaining some basic routing technique, and at the end of the video, I’ll show you how to make a very simple round edge on a piece of flat stock.
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How To Use A Router | Ultimate Beginners Tutorial
Woodworking lessons with master carpenter Jaime Perkins of the Perkins Builder Brothers. This video is all about how to use a router… It includes setting up the router bit and base, choosing and using the most common types of router bits, and also some common beginner mistakes to avoid!
The router used in this video is a Porter-Cable brand, one of the most widely available and used models ever. If you are new to woodworking, this is a must-see video series! ***A few safety notes: Always use I and ear protection when using a router; never wear loose clothing when using a Router; always use two hands to control the router; always make sure the router is turned off before plugging it into a power source; always unplug the router when changing bits; and it’s always a good idea to let the router come to a complete stop before letting go of it.
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