There's an option to have a removable router base that can be tilted, meaning you have have your router bit placed at an angle to the piece you are working on. Using two wrenches one wrench will fit into the keyway on the threaded neck and another fit onto the hex nut, twisting counterclockwise the nut and collet will come undone from the threaded neck.Īll hand routers (palm and plunge) will come with a base that fits onto the router body and will have a base that is perpendicular to the router bit. Changing router bits is easy, but should only be attempted when the router is unplugged. Routers have a threaded neck close to the router body that the collet and nut fit onto, the way the bits are are inserted the nut will tighten onto the threaded bolt when it's spinning. Removing the base will allow you easier access to the collet to change the router bit, and allow you to change the fixed base for a tilting one (as seen below). Let's take a look at the anatomy of a handheld router in detail:Īll handheld routers will have method to set the router depth, continuing to extend the router beyond the minimum depth of the tip will allow the base to slide off completely. Whichever router you have will require wrenches to undo the collet that holds the router bit, will have a flat surface to rest the router on and reference your work on, and be able to set the depth of the router bit. Whether you have a palm router (shown on the left), or a plunge router (shown on the right), or a big table router, they all work the same and will have many of the same features. Always exercise caution when using the router and never put your hands anywhere near the blade during operation. Whereas some power tools can take a finger off, the router basically chews up whatever it touches and can leave you with nothing to reattach. Sharp router bits spinning at very high speeds can pose a very serious safety risk if you're not careful. This is doubly so with a tool like the router. For a lot of woodworking projects a simple handheld router is perfect, I use a 1hp Bosch palm router which is more than enough for the average woodworker.Īs with all tools, safety is very important. A router's power is measured in horsepower, with more horsepower allowing faster work as the motor can power through jobs without getting bogged down. In this lesson we'll be covering all those uses as well as breaking down the router to understand just how handy this humble tool can be.įirst we need to understand what a good router looks like. More than just a way to bevel an edge, a router can create all kinds of edge profiles, be used to square wood edges, and even used as a thickness planer to level uneven wood. You will find a lot of different applications for your router, and the attractive cuts and edging will make all of your projects look more professional and finished.A hand router is one of the most versatile tools in woodworking. If you're building a basic woodworking tool kit, a router is a helpful power tool to invest in. Routers are portable, small woodworking tools, meaning that they're very versatile and easy to maneuver during use. You can purchase a router kit along with specialized router bits to help you get the depth and finish that you want for your project. Different bits allow you to create decorative picture frames, shoe molding, kitchen cabinets, doors, and edges. But those aren't the only cuts a router can do. A rabbet cut is a step-shaped recess cut along the edge or the face of a piece of wood. What's a dado, you ask? A dado is a rectangular groove cut into a board to fit another piece of wood into it. What else can a router do? Besides cutting fancy edges on side tables and baseboards, routers can also cut flawless dadoes and rabbets. These patterns are typically used for decorative edging and finishes, giving your wood projects a more professional look. A router can cut grooves, make fancy edges, or help you cut patterns. If you’re new to the hobby of woodworking or DIY home improvement, you might wonder how to use a wood router or why you would even need to use a router in the first place.įirst, the basics- a wood router is a tool that’s used to make cuts or “hollow out” a piece of wood, plastic, MDF, or even, in some cases, metal.
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