Welcome to you and Router Forums. Sounds like you are having fun. I do not have the set you mentioned of templates, Craftsman makes one as well and I have it and it works fine, but I know several here have used the Turnlock one with no problems at all. Making your own is not impossible but it isn't going to be fast and a lot of work to create alpha bets and numbers etc. I would go with one of the premade jigs myself. Sounds like your shed is getting there. Right now the best deal on the planet for a nice router is the $99.00 plunge and fixed base combo from Craftsman. It is an online exclusive I think. Great 2 HP router with 2 bases and a edge fence. Can't beat that price and it get's very good reviews. Check out some of the reviews in the General Router section of this site. You can also get one for $79.00 that is a 1 3/4 HP in a plunge base. Same router just smaller motor but the Combo is the best deal for another 20.00 and you could use both bases. Later when you get a router table you could put the fixed base in the table. Switch the motor back and forth. Have fun!
Corey |