Making Magic with Your Router

A router is not only an extremely versatile shop tool, it can almost do magic. Routers can be hand-held, or permanently fixed in a router table for any number of chores. They may have fixed bases, which are ideal for edge routing, or they may have a plunge-style base.

Routers are also available in combination kits with both fixed and plunge bases, so you can switch as needed. Some routers, such as laminate trimmers are single-use tools.

Routers are available in sizes rated by horsepower from 2 up to 3-1/2. The trade-off is the more horsepower, the larger and heavier the router. More powerful routers, however, are necessary for certain chores.

A speed control is necessary for use with the larger diameter bits. Electronic variable speed control is the best bet. Routers are available with different size collets to accept different size router bit shanks. The most common sizes are 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 inch. Some routers come with different size collets.

The most common use of a router is edge

shaping, such as shown on this wall plaque.

Common Cuts

Routers are most commonly used for edge shaping, such as creating table edges, and for creating molding. By using specific router bits, or matching several bit profiles, you can create almost any type of edge design or molding you can imagine. Routers are also used for trimming plastic laminate edges on countertops. Special bits are also available for creating round-over or cove cuts and sink cut-outs in solid surface materials.

Some of the more common edge shaping bits.

Routers can also be used to create a wide variety of joints. Edge-glued joints, such as when gluing up wide boards from narrow ones, can be easily created with a router using a variety of bit styles. These include tongue-and-groove, tongue-and-groove with V edging for car siding, 90-degree V-groove male and female bits, and special glue-joint bits. Routers fitted with a slotting bit can also be used to cut rabbets for joining cabinet backs to sides, for cutting grooves, slotting and dadoes for joining drawer bottoms to drawers. Other joint bits include: drawer lock bit used to create glue joints for joining drawer sides and fronts; flute and bead bits for creating small boat planking; corner lock bits for 90-degree corner joints, such as in jewelry boxes; and corner lock miter bits.

Frame-and-panel is a very popular door style for cabinets

and furnitrue, and it is made using a router in a router table

and a variety of bits.

One of the more popular door styles for cabinets and furniture is frame and panel. This is commonly made by using rail and stile router bits to create the rail and stile joints, and raised panel bits for creating the panels. These are for use only with a router table and you should have a heavy duty router.