How to Use a Router to Flatten a Board
Because router bits are small in comparison to the wide side of boards, flattening the widest part of boards with a router would be nearly impossible, or least quite difficult. However, in the absence of a jointer, you can use a router to flatten the edges of two or more boards to join them in a large, flat panel.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Challenging
Instructions
-
-
1
Obtain or create an absolutely straight-edged guide that is at least 6 inches longer than the boards you need to flatten. Any piece of purchased plywood or particle board should have at least one edge called the factory edge, which is absolutely straight. This will serve as the fence against which the router base will rest. Protect this guide carefully so it can be used again.
-
2
Choose a router bit with the largest diameter shank available. The cutting edges on the bit should be at least 1/4 to 1/2 inch longer than the thickness of the board edge you need to flatten. (Ideally, you should not try to flatten edges on very thick board. This requires longer bits, which increase the possibility of breakage.) Mount the bit in the router
-
3
Clamp the work surfaces in place to avoid vibration or safety hazards. Align the router base against the perfectly straight board that is serving as a fence.
-
4
Use a t-square as a locator aid to start the router base moving along the fence. The cutting edge on the router bit should align perfectly with the straightedge of the t-square.
-
5
Move the router base slowly along the edge of the board. Cover its entire length, cutting away and removing the smallest amount of wood possible to produce a completely flat-edged surface. Repeat these steps with any additional boards that need to be joined.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Keep the router absolutely upright. You can do this by pressing with one hand on the end of the base plate extension. After mounting a bit in the router, flick the bearing to ensure it spins freely.
If at all possible, user a router table to keep everything more secure and minimize the risk of injury.
