Get to know... Router
If you have the knowledge and know-how a router can be a very versatile tool. All you need are a few simple techniques and specialty bits and you can achieve perfect edge profiles, flawless dadoes and precision pattern cutting.
The main key to success when using a router it to ensure that you always use a sharp bit and run the router in a counterclockwise direction around the top of the piece to be worked. By using the router in this way, the bit pushes the router toward you rather than pulling it away, so it's easier to control. It's also not necessary to push the router, let it run at its own pace for a smooth cut.
They say that practice makes perfect and with a router it is always better to test your cuts on a scrap of wood to confirm proper cutting depth. If the wood burns when you start to cut then you need to adjust the cutting depth or cut in stages, by making a series of shallow passes, gradually extending the bit. A deep pass can bind, burn the wood or twist the tool in your hands.
DIY Tips:
To prevent any mishaps, always clamp your project securely.
Where repeat shapes are to be formed, use a template or jig whenever possible - freehand cutting requires patience, steady hands and practice.
For routing a straight edge where clamps get in the way of the router, you can solve the problem by screwing a support piece of scrap timber to the workbench. Screw a stop to the bench at the end of the board to keep it from slipping. That gives the router a wider surface to rest on, eliminating any rocking, and forces the workpiece against the support board and the stop, so it doesn't need clamps.
Before undertaking any project, familiarise yourself with your router. Read the owner's manual carefully and heed all safety precautions. And always wear goggles and a dust mask when operating your router.
If you are planning a project that would incorporate the use of a router, I would suggest that you attend a DIY Divas workshop. We provide you with basic knowledge to operate the unit as well as techniques to achieve the best results from your Router.