New Member with New Makita 1101

Welcome "classtime". Good choice of router. I suggest that you make a table and fence (not expensive if you keep it simple). It is safer to do most router operations in a table. Moving a very sharp blade, spinning at 20,000+ RPM is more likely to hurt you than when that blade is fixed in a table. There are dozens of strings on the site about shop made tables. The router has many uses, but I bet you'll find that it can really enhance the finished appearance of any project.

Our resident #1 expert, Stick, should be along shortly with a collection of PDFs on use of the router--take the time to read them. I am also very much a fan of videos by Marc Sommerfeld, whose company sells some great bits and accessories. Marc was a cabinet maker and his videos demonstrate how to use a router safely and effectively. There are many YouTube videos that will help you learn, but some are kind of iffy. Most videos show tools with safety features and guards removed so you can see better, but do keep these in place. Better to have the bits and blades bite a little wood, vs. biting the hand that feeds them.