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Starting from Scratch from Sratch'n'Dent

2K views 13 replies 10 participants last post by  Scratchndent 
#1 ·
As my username implies, I'm just sitting in the back of the shop with a lot of dust on top (gray hair) and kind of forgotten. Not much talent here but lots of enthusiasm. I haven't quite recovered from my boyhood feeling that I can do anything if I just put my mind to it. That was before I caused a lot of damage to my cars, my apartments, and most everything I put my mind to. But I keep trying. So my latest fantasy is to do some routing, maybe put decent baseboards & trim molding (spelling?) around the house, make some utility shelves. I just inherited an old Craftsaman 1.25 HP router & benchtop table from my brother but it gets a little hot on hardwoods. Someday want to get a 2.25 router like Bosch 1617 kit, and buy or make a decent size table. But I'm pretty broke so it's pipe dream material at this stage.

Mainly I'm here to learn, I'm thrilled you are all here to share your experience (and mistakes), so I'll be reading the sticky's and researching for what to do and how to do it. Thanks for glancing at my post, I'll just settle back down in my quiet corner for now.:bad:
 
#2 ·
Welcome to the forum Robert. Every body has to start somewhere and talent is usually something you have to develop. That router is a little small but there is still lots that can be done with it. Most jobs don't require more power. Just don't try to feed faster than it can handle. In the meantime work safe and enjoy your time here.
 
#5 ·
G'day Robert.

Welcome to the forum.
 
#8 ·
Welcome aboard.

As far as making a router table, it doesn't need to cost much of anything, just depends on how you go about it. I've got considerably less than $10 in mine, about version 4 or 5, and that's for nuts, bolts, washers, to bolt it to a shelf, so I can sit while using it. All the rest is scrap wood.
 
#10 ·
Welcome, Robert

no need to retreat to the quiet corners - there's a lot one can do with almost nothing - I can tell.
And just remember, if you take it easy with that 1.25 hp router, you can do still lots of things.

Martin
 
#11 ·
Chuck and also Martin, thanks for the reminder that I have more already than I realize. Instead of focusing on lack, I can start learning and experimenting, and I don't have to wait for some far distant time in the future. I needed that. Of course, I don't want to invest in a lot of equipment I can't use later - but 1/4 shank bits will always be useful, and I assume templates I build will be useful no matter what. Thanks for that!
 
#12 ·
It looks like you have a decent core of tools to work with Robert. If you are considering a tool purchase and you're not sure, you can always post to see what others think. I don't think there are very many tools that someone on the forum wouldn't have. As far as the little oscillating "thingy", I didn't think I needed one but my brother was helping me do renos (lots of trim work) and he said I needed one. He was right. As far as general woodworking goes, I haven't had a use for it.
 
#13 ·
Robert, Welcome to the Router Forums! You are cruising the web in the right place to learn helpful woodworking info - and thousands of members are here to help you. As others have mentioned it would be very difficult to think of something having to do with woodworking that someone in this huge group hasn't worked with. That applies to wood species and man-made products, hand and power tools, and tips and techniques.

I feel like everyone is here for the common benefit of sharing knowledge or asking questions of others - either to the group or to specific members. You will accumulate your 10- posts quickly (easily accomplished in the convenience of one day) and then you will be able to post photos or have specific friends within the group.

Since you mentioned "tearing things up", let me remind you that a router is an extremely effective tool for DO-IT-YOURSELF AMPUTATIONS. Don't get caught (pun intended) by a spinning router bit or you may not be able to count to 10 without your toes. Typing is also very difficult without a full complement of fingers! Spinning routers exert centrifugal forces as seen in gyroscopes and the resistance to your desired travel path may be compromised - so always make your moves wisely planned. The "WHAT-IF's" when working with routers are occasionally counter-intuitive and the surprises can provide huge hazards!

Please be safe!
Otis Guillebeau from Auburn, Georgia
 
#14 ·
Otis, my one experience with the power of routers: I was making a simple 1/4" groove in some red oak 1x2s using a simple straight bit and somehow I lost my grip, that darn 6-foot 1x2 shot straight out like a bullet and landed 7 feet away on the other side of the basement. Luckily no one in the way (it was mitered pretty sharp) so from then on I went slower, surer, and with a lot more respect! So thanks for the good advice.
 
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