Originally Posted by nzgeordie

Right on, Bill! The way to learn is to jump in "boots and all" as we say down here. But - BE SAFE!
Harry's advice is good. A starter kit will let you see which bits you use most often - then buy better bits. They'll give a superior finish and have a longer life.
Did you say what models of router you have? If you tell us, someone on the forum should be able to tell you how to mount your fixed base in the table to get the right bit height and/or how to remove the springs from your plunge.
The table saw sounds like a good solution for the slot but I can't understand that you can't get the right bit within a couple of days from somewhere like MLCS in the mail (you are in the US/Canada - aren't you?). I buy from them and it only takes about 10 days to get to me down here at the bottom of the world
Anyway, enjoy the experience and post us some pics of the finished work.

Originally Posted by webbill

Glad to find this site and grateful to the people that host it.

I havent done any wood working since 7th grade shop but enjoyed it back then. And decided I wanted to start building simple items like bird feeders and houses and maybe work myself up from there.

I never realized how versitile and complicated bits for a router could be. And people at the big outlets arent much help.

I was hoping that some of you could help me.

All I need is a router bit that will cut a groove that a 1/8" piece of plexiglass will slide into and a bit that will slightly round off one squared (sharp right angle) side of lumber.

Please tell me what I need to buy, and besides those two bits are there any not too expensive kits ( about $50 or under) that would have those two items in it with some others that I could play around with getting used to and practicing with my new router that you could recommend, or do you suggest just buying individual bits as the need for them arise.

Thanks,

Bill

Originally Posted by webbill

Also the bit with the regular base stuck out to high (too deep) when mounted to the router table so I put on the pluner base and set the bit more shallow and mounted it on the router table. Will that be okay?