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Show me how to use a router (tool). "How to" guides?

MichaelD

MichaelD

Lifer
Hey all,

I want to buy a router. It's really the only hand-held tool I don't own, and it's kinda vital for woodworking. They arent' that expensive, so it's a neat little investment for me.

I know there's no substitute for learning by doing, but are there any online guides I can read to kinda teach me the basics?

Thanks.
 
Personally, I've never used a router, but I've watched countless episodes of Hometime and This Old House - and I think I'd be able to use one pretty well. I think a video would be the best way to learn. 🙂
 
Talk about google not being a help. I typed in "woodworking router" tutorial and still came up with cisco links!
 
Watch the DIY (Do It Yourself) channel. It's on my Direct TV satellite. They air several shows, especially "Woodworking" and "Wood Works" which use routers on a routine basis.
 
Originally posted by: MichaelD

I want to buy a router. It's really the only hand-held tool I don't own, and it's kinda vital for woodworking. They arent' that expensive, . . .
Click to expand...
They aren't that expensive, but decent bits can add up pretty quick.

 
Thanks guys. I'll probably see if Sears has a "kit" of some kind on sale. Like "router plus 20 bits" or something. 🙂
 
Michael,

Once you get the router and the "box of bits" - you might want to pick up some scrap lumber and just try the various bits out so you can get a feel for the tool and the various bits. I've owned my router for about 14 years now. I just keep the beast in the box when not in use and it's been a great tool to own when I needed it. One of my most common projects has been to cut "grooves" in the cabinets I make so I can install shelf adjusters in the channels. Aside from that, it has also been a great tool to round off the corners of various projects that I've worked on in the past. I'm at the stage where I could use a router table. Home Depot sells these for $49 - $99.

 
Step two is getting a routing table. Believe me, anything you can route using will be infinitely easier than following a trace or a guide with the router itself.



By the way, Bosch tools are sweet. 😀
 
Thanks a lot, guys.

Tiles2Tech; funny you should mention rounding-over and grooving. Those are exactly the two things I'm looking into buying the router to do, to begin with! 😀 Great minds think alike. 😎

Definitely will try out some scrap wood first. The router table will come later, as right now I've nowhere to set it up.

Rounding-over edges
Grooving
Cutting circles

The three primary things I need it for. Gonna check out those links now. 🙂
 
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