rookie here....

1833 Views 6 Replies 6 Participants Last post by 81Custom, Apr 3, 2007

81Custom

Discussion Starter · Apr 1, 2007

..of all the tools in the shop, my router is the one collecting dust. you see,I've had nothing but bad experiences with it. it has a mind of it's own,it seems to me.. and I screw up practically every board I've ever put it on. I have a shaper, but it's a pain to switch from cutters to bits. some one tell me the secret to that beast, please, as I know it' has many uses. for chamfers, I now use hand planes...and love that, but for Ogees, et.al, hand planes don't cut it. I'm actually intimidated,as wood cost too much to trash...and time too valuable to waste re-making boards. I'm hoping there's guidance out there. Thanks in advance..... Butch

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challagan

· #2 · Apr 1, 2007

Butch... tell us a little bit about the operations you have performed with your router that didn't work out so well. Using a hand router, router in a table, plunging, bits you were using etc. ? Then maybe we can help you out here... The router is to good of a tool to be collecting dust. There are so many ops I would rather do on a router table than any other way. We will get you headed in the right direction with just a little info!

Corey

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Joe Lyddon

· #3 · Apr 1, 2007

Butch,

Have you seen The Router Workshop show on PBS or TheWoodworkingChannel.com ?

They make it look so easy!! I've learned a lot from their shows...

BTW... W e l c o m e . . A b o a r d !!

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template tom

· #4 · Apr 1, 2007 (Edited)

81Custom said:
..of all the tools in the shop, my router is the one collecting dust. you see,I've had nothing but bad experiences with it. it has a mind of it's own,it seems to me.. and I screw up practically every board I've ever put it on. I have a shaper, but it's a pain to switch from cutters to bits. some one tell me the secret to that beast, please, as I know it' has many uses. for chamfers, I now use hand planes...and love that, but for Ogees, et.al, hand planes don't cut it. I'm actually intimidated,as wood cost too much to trash...and time too valuable to waste re-making boards. I'm hoping there's guidance out there. Thanks in advance..... Butch

Butch.
The router is the most versatile tool you have in your workshop. When you think of al the processes that can be achieved with it's use. The majority of users would use it in the router table as Bob and Rick mention that 80% of the work can be done in the table position.
Think of all the processes that can be achieved using the router table. I will mention a few and I am sure there will be others who will add their various experiences.
Routing rebates
Routing Grooves
Adding edge moulding
Inserting Mortices
Inserting Dovetails Sliding
" " Boxmaking
Constructing Panel door frames
Producing the panels to insert in the doors
Inserting biscuit grooves
Routing Trenches (Dadoes)
......
.....
Let's get Butch interested by adding more to the list to show what is capable with the use of the router. In fact let's post pictures of the projects we have made as evidence of the router's versatility. Post some details as to how you actually made your projects will help guide Butch to work with more confidence. Butch if you look at some of the other postings you will see some evidence of what I am suggesting, look up the postings of Harrysin as an example.
Butch ask your questions and I am sure you will get some help here as there are a number of members who are willing to assist.

I have enclosed pics of some of my projects that I have completed in the past as an example of what we can do with the router. It will be necessary to learn how to use the template guides to produce many of the projects as they may not be able to be achieved in the Router table.
Tom

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curiousgeorge

· #5 · Apr 2, 2007

Butch, as with any tool (power or otherwise) there is a learning curve. You can not expect perfection right out of the box. I would suggest first to learn the basics of how to use the router correctly and SAFELY. Find some scrap wood somewhere with no nails or screws in it to practice on.
If you do some searching around on this forum you will find a wealth of knowledge and any questions you may have simply ask and someone will answer you. Template Tom, for example, has made some posts recently that are exactly what you may need. Good luck and above all be safe and have fun.

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Mike

· #6 · Apr 2, 2007

Butch, The first thing I ask of new members is to spend a few minutes reading my blog which is called Sawdust Dreams. It will answer many questions and give you some tips for starting out. You are not alone in being discouraged at first, many are. We will talk you through the process and before long you will be routing and enjoying it.

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81Custom

Discussion Starter · #7 · Apr 3, 2007

Thanks fellows for the responses... as for DVDs, I've only have Norms'101 dvd... it helped a tad, but hands on is the only way to learn for me. I REALLY would like to be proficient with the router, as I see MANY uses for it...ONCE you become proficient. I will read the Blog(I'm new to Blogs,too)

so please bear with me, as I WILL ask a question in a new york minute!! I was raised around this, but took other avenues of interest with my time... now, you can hear me say..."I wished that I'd had..."
you all the know the story....

Thanks again. Butch

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