How to Use a Router

A router is a very useful tool — and potentially quite dangerous. A little knowledge goes a long way toward using a router safely. If you're not very handy you might want to reconsider using a router or at least be extra careful.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Work Gloves
• Work Gloves
• Dust Masks
• Router Bits
• Routers
• Safety Goggles
• Safety Goggles
• Routers

1. Always use a sharp bit. Dull edges make for more work.

2. Clamp the work securely.

3. Fasten a piece of wood the same thickness as the workpiece to your bench. Use it to support the router and prevent wobbling, which can ruin your work.

4. Feed the router from left to right so that the cutting edge of the bit meets the wood first.

5. A deep pass can bind, burn the wood or twist the tool in your hands.Make a series of shallow passes, gradually extending the bit.

6. Don't push the router. That causes the engine to slow, which in turn slows the blade. You're more likely to get chips and splinters this way, and it's possible to burn the wood this way as well.

7. Use an edge guide whenever possible - freehand cutting requires patience, steady hands and practice.

8. Start routing somewhere other than on an edge (plunge cutting) by starting the motor and lowering the spinning blade into the work.

Tips & Warnings

• Watch for knots, warps and nails in the wood.
• Familiarize yourself with your router. Read the owner's manual carefully and heed all safety precautions.
• Keep the receipt with the manual and other paperwork and send in the warranty card as soon as you get the router.
• Wear goggles and a dust mask when operating your router.
• Never use a router on wet wood.

[FrancoAmericano]

on 5/27/2008 Just got my first router and I can't figure out how to use it. I feel dumb but I put the bit in and lower it to the wood and it doesn't reach the wood. How do I get the bit to extend below the circle bottom of the router?

[mikeslade]

on 1/6/2008 router tabnle -tried to use a router table but when the workpiec e was pushed towards the blade the table started to walk in the same direction. I made a 3/4" plywood base to which I screwed the router table feet. The plywood can then be clamped to the work bence to stabilize it. Mike Slade [e-mail]

on 11/22/2005 Once you familiarize yourself with routing, the goal is to have two routers....a fixed for your table and a plunge for freehand work.

pcolburn
[e-mail]

on 11/22/2005 Always use roller bearing bits, when available.

on 11/22/2005 If you are going to use a router table, remember to feed your work from right to left because your router is now upside down.