i took up woodworking 6 yrs ago when i retired -- mostly my projects revolve around making furniture for my children -- dresser, blanket chest as a toy box, lots of tables -- the router is my favorite tool -- i really enjoy doing joinery and get a thrill when the pieces fit like they should --
i had run the gamut of what i could do with table legs -- and was looking at lathes as the next step but was having trouble pulling the trigger because i
wasn't sure what else i would do with a lathe and it seemed an expensive way to make better table legs -- when an email came along about this router boss with a 4th axis accessory that would allow you to turn a round leg from square stock using a plunge router -- i had actually seen the idea in a magazine and tried unsuccessfully to make a jig that would work -- product was woefully asymmetric -- so i began to look at the router boss as an alternative --
long story short -- bought one last august and have enjoyed it thoroughly -- it has allowed me to do things i don't think i could ever have done any other way -- i've attached a few pics from two projects to give you the flavor of what can be done -- happy to go into more detail if anyone is interested --
first project was a backpackers registration box for a state park in VA where i volunteer -- tried unsuccessfully to do lock miter joints on my router table on a similar long narrow box project -- easily done with the router boss -- you can clamp the workpiece so securely that the bit doesn't catch and rip like it did when i tried on the router table -- and climb cutting is readily done so the profiles are clean and precise -- all the joinery on the box -- including the knob were done on the router boss --
second bigger project is a desk for son-in-law -- the posts were created from 2 1/2" square stock -- perfectfully round and symmetric -- cutting mortise and tenons is a snap -- the raised panels -- once i had the setup under control -- took about 15m each -- and i think the mitered half lap joints between the rails / stiles add symmetry -- the left pedestal is pictured --
the underlying precision of the tool and complete control over the workpiece in all 3 dimensions is what makes the router boss so useful -- and incredibly reproducible -- all i do on my router table is edge round offs and profiling like the false fronts on the drawers -- everything else goes to the router boss --
customer support is excellent -- owners manual is through and well written -- been able to go from manual to implementation 95% of the time -- i'll leave it at that -- glad to amplify upon request --
and at this point i need to state that i am not related by blood or marriage to anyone connected with the router boss or craftsman gallery or chipsfly.com -- and i have received nada for posting this -- simply a satisfied customer wishing to share his good experience with others who enjoy the pleasures of woodworking.
many thanks for your time --
larry thomson
i had run the gamut of what i could do with table legs -- and was looking at lathes as the next step but was having trouble pulling the trigger because i
wasn't sure what else i would do with a lathe and it seemed an expensive way to make better table legs -- when an email came along about this router boss with a 4th axis accessory that would allow you to turn a round leg from square stock using a plunge router -- i had actually seen the idea in a magazine and tried unsuccessfully to make a jig that would work -- product was woefully asymmetric -- so i began to look at the router boss as an alternative --
long story short -- bought one last august and have enjoyed it thoroughly -- it has allowed me to do things i don't think i could ever have done any other way -- i've attached a few pics from two projects to give you the flavor of what can be done -- happy to go into more detail if anyone is interested --
first project was a backpackers registration box for a state park in VA where i volunteer -- tried unsuccessfully to do lock miter joints on my router table on a similar long narrow box project -- easily done with the router boss -- you can clamp the workpiece so securely that the bit doesn't catch and rip like it did when i tried on the router table -- and climb cutting is readily done so the profiles are clean and precise -- all the joinery on the box -- including the knob were done on the router boss --
second bigger project is a desk for son-in-law -- the posts were created from 2 1/2" square stock -- perfectfully round and symmetric -- cutting mortise and tenons is a snap -- the raised panels -- once i had the setup under control -- took about 15m each -- and i think the mitered half lap joints between the rails / stiles add symmetry -- the left pedestal is pictured --
the underlying precision of the tool and complete control over the workpiece in all 3 dimensions is what makes the router boss so useful -- and incredibly reproducible -- all i do on my router table is edge round offs and profiling like the false fronts on the drawers -- everything else goes to the router boss --
customer support is excellent -- owners manual is through and well written -- been able to go from manual to implementation 95% of the time -- i'll leave it at that -- glad to amplify upon request --
and at this point i need to state that i am not related by blood or marriage to anyone connected with the router boss or craftsman gallery or chipsfly.com -- and i have received nada for posting this -- simply a satisfied customer wishing to share his good experience with others who enjoy the pleasures of woodworking.
many thanks for your time --
larry thomson
