Basic Router Techniques

Edging

• Routers are excellent tools for edging and beveling. The technique for proper edge routing is to ensure the wood board to be edged is clamped down firmly. Once the wood is secure, edge the board in a counter-clockwise fashion. Routing across the edge counter-clockwise moves the router towards the operator instead of away. This technique ensures proper control and makes the work safer and more precise.

Narrow Stock

• Routing a piece of wood that is narrow can present challenges to the project because a person will usually have to clamp a narrow piece to a table. Because the wood to be worked on is small, the clamp used to secure the piece will get in the way. Get around this problem by screwing another piece of wood to a table next to the narrow piece, and use that extra width to provide stability to the router.

Use a Table

• Using a router table can provide beginners with a more precise result. On a router table the router is attached and remains in a fixed position to the table. The wood to be worked on is then fed into the router bit using a guide.

Cut Grooves with a Jig

• Groove or dadoe cutting is best accomplished using a jig. Constructing a jig for routing is fairly simple; attach a 1-by-2 inch board to a 2-by-6 inch board using wood screws forming a "T" shape. Clamp this jig on top of the wood where you will be cutting the groove; clamp flush to the line where the groove will be located. Once the jig is firmly clamped, the router can follow the straight jig line to cut a perfect groove.