Are you a woodworker? Using some tools for your projects? Don’t know which tool gives you the perfect finished edge? New user for a router? Don’t know where to use the router? Worried so badly? Then be cool, don’t get worried, now we are here to lessen your burden thoughts. We will help you in getting the solutions to the questions in your mind. So let’s go through the detailed guide on how to use a router for woodworking.
Wood router is used in the cutting, trimming, making shapes on wood, metals, and plastic, etc. the cutting of edge may be difficult to you in the beginning, but the router gives you the best-finished edge. If you know how to use the router for woodworking, then it’s effortless for you to do woodworking in any project. There are different types of routers for various woodworks. The different types are plunge routers, fixed base router, combo routers, speed routers, CNC wood routers.
Contents
How To Use A Router For Woodworking – Step By Step Guide
The main mistake that a woodworker does is keeping the router in the wrong direction. Many people keep the router in the same direction as the router bit. If you are using the router in the same direction of the router bit, then you cannot control the tool.
Total Time: 1 Hour
Step 1
The first step is to move the router against the router bit because this will give you control over the tool. When you are routing the edges, you have to move the router from left to right. And if you are routing the opposite edge, then move the router from right to left.
Step 2
While you are working the bit, it should run smoothly. So the bit should be installed properly in the collets. Whatever may be the size you are using, the router bits should be installed properly. The router motor speed is about 25,000 rpm, which means the speed is 400 rotations per second.
If you see person woodworking, then you will notice that two different shanks can be fit in the router. They are 1/4 inches and 1/2 inches. If you know when to use which bit, then you can efficiently work through this.
Keep the router in upside down direction when you are using in router table as this expands the tool capability, and routing becomes easy and safe. However, you do not need the router table every time. If you are working with milling smaller parts, cutting grooves, or large diameter bits, you need a router table. Along with that panel, bits can be used only in the router table.
1. Perfect edges: Routers are used for making level cuts on the curve and straight edges.
2. Molding: Molding is the best interesting thing that a router can make. You can use different bits and shape the wood into doors, windows, and chair rails.
3. Dadoes: Dado is a slot that gives support for shelves. It gives more strength. There are two methods to cut dadoes. One is through dado, and another one is blind dado.
4. Rabbets: Rabbet is a hole that is done at the edge of the wood. It is mostly done in using a bookcase and also used in making a door, casement of the window. For every strong joint, you need a rabbet. This also helps when you have a broken wood piece, and you can turn it into a beautiful interior design.
Things You Would Need
Now you have to know how to use a router step by step, but do you know what are the things that you should have using the router? We have listed some tools that we found essential in your work with the router. Here are some of the best products that you need with the router. The best products are from Amazon.
1.Bosch 1617EVSPK Wood Router Tool
- VERSATILE: kit can be used for a broad range of applications, including precise bit plunging, edge forming, slot...
- DURABILITY: aluminum construction makes this one of our most durable wood routers yet with wooden handles on a fixed...
- EASE OF USE: rounded hardwood handles maximize user control; microfine bit-depth adjustment
- This product is used in various applications like edge forming, slot cutting, bit plunging, dovetail cutting, trimming.
- This is made of aluminum, which is the most durable.
- It is easy to handle.
- This product contains:
- One plunge base.
- One fixed base.
- Two collet chucks of ¼ and ½ inches.
- A shaft wrench.
- The Chip shields.
- A Nut wrench.
- A carrying case.
2. DeWalt DW616
- 1-3/4 HP (maximum motor HP), 11.0 Amp motor provides the power to rout smoothly through the toughest hardwoods
- Micro-fine depth adjustment ring provides precise depth adjustments in 1/64" increments and adjusts vertically for a...
- Adjustable, tool-free steel motor cam lock makes depth adjustment and base changes quick and solid-locking
- This product is a fixed base router.
- This product uses an 11-amp motor, which can run smoothly in hardwood.
- This DEWALT router is easily adjustable.
- This router is a fast and easy product for changing bit and base.
- This product has a special feature of the steel motor cam lock system that makes precise depth adjustment.
3. JessEm Router Lift
- 8.8 pounds Product
- Dimensions: 9.25 x 11.75 x 10.1 inches
- THIS MODEL IS DESIGNED FOR USE WITH PC 690/890, BOSCH 1617/1618, DEWALT 610/618/616, CRAFTSMAN 1754/17540/28190
- It is a rout-r-lift router lift.
- This lift is made up of aluminum.
- It has double sealed ball bearing construction.
- It has no bent wrenches. The bits can be easily changed without the need for bent wrenches.
4. Peachtree Safety Supply
- This five piece safety kit is designed to be your essential safety protection to help from getting to close to the...
- Each device in this kit is intentionally made in the SAFETY ORANGE color for high visibility when in use. This provides...
- The general idea behind these safety devices is to help you guide and control your stock when feeding through a table...
- This is a safety package that needs to be with you when using the table saw, router table, jointers, and band saws.
- It is a five-piece safety kit.
- The package includes two small push blocks, one long push block, one standard width push block, and one narrow width safety v push stick.
- It is made of soft, receptive, rubber foam pads.
Some Tips
Before you are doing any woodworking or any other processes, you should have some basic knowledge and simple techniques for that work. If you know the simple techniques, then it may help you to lower your burden and also saves your time. So here I am going to give you some simple tips and techniques.
- For safety cutting, the speed of the router should match the size of the bit.
- For all the machines you use, you have to follow safety measures. Keep all the accessories that you need for the work near your router table. The accessories are scrap wood, double-stick tape, and some other cobbling materials.
- When you are using the wide board for cutting, start the cutting from the inside edge. Or else you may get the climb cut. While using a wide board, make it flattened and then use.
- When using a fence, whatever may be the orientation of the fence, your work should be in the direction against to bit’s rotation. If you give the feed in the same direction of its rotation, it pushes the stock away from the fence.
FAQs
1. Define a wood router?
It is a high-speed rotary tool that can be connected to router bits.
2. Can the router be used for cutting wood?
Yes, the router is used for cutting wood.
3. Do we use a plunge router for edges?
Yes, for making cuts in the interior surface, you can use a plunge router.
4. What is the depth that a router can cut?
The router bit can cut around ¼ inches.
5. Can a router rout the edges of the plywood?
You can use it, but the glue present in plywood will dull the router. If you are doing only one desktop, then no problem.
6. Can all router bits fit in all the routers?
If you are using a larger router, it can fit both ½ and ¼ inches router bit. Do check out a good router bit.
7. Do we compulsory need a table for the router?
Yes, we need a table for a router, and also we should have a wood router.
Final Thoughts
The router is a small version. If you have an appropriate jig, you can use the router for door hinges and lock face plates. Even you can use the router with rotatory tools when plastic router bases or accessories are attached to it. As now, you got the simple steps to use the router in woodworking. It is effortless for you to begin the projects using this simple tool called a router.
Until now, you have got the right information about how to use a router in woodworking. After a few practices, you may feel comfortable using any router for your projects. We hope this article solved every question in your mind about how to use a router in woodworking. Now not only the professionals, the beginners who are going to do the advanced project on woodworking can also merely regularly use this router. And thank you for reading the article in patience.
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