To some people, a router might be that little box that sits behind their television sets and controls their internet access. Other people might never have heard the word at all! However, in the woodworking world, routers are popular and versatile power tools; you’ll find one hanging in any respectable woodworker’s shop.
What, exactly, is a woodworking router, though? How does it work, and how does the beginner get started using one? Viking Mountain Tool Works, a vendor of woodworking tools, briefs you below on the many uses of router tools.
How Do Woodworking Routers Work? What Can They Do?
Functionally speaking, routers can be used to create anything from decorative edging to rabbets to smooth edges on both straight and curved pieces of wood. A router’s rapidly spinning bit can be set at different heights and speeds, and router bits come in all shapes and sizes, all suited for a unique woodworking purpose. The versatility of this tool cannot be overstated!
Appearance-wise, a router looks somewhat like a drill, but larger and heavier with a more powerful motor. Some are handheld, while others are affixed to a table.
How to Use a Router Safely
Using a woodworking router looks and feels different depending on everything from the bit to the type of tool you use (fixed or handheld, for example). Because routers are so diverse, it’s impossible to tell you how to use all of them in one single post!
However, regardless of which type of router you opt into buying, there are a few key safety rules you should keep in mind:
●Keep your piece secure. This might feel like common sense, but it’s all too commonly forgotten in shops everywhere. Always clamp your piece down if you’re using a handheld router, and keep a firm grip on your stock if using a fixed-base router.
●Always start your router far away from the piece. Starting up the router while it is in contact with wood will at best damage the bit; at worst, it will throw the piece all the way across the shop!
●Make your cuts lightly and gradually. Digging too deep with a router not only can result in dangerous kickback, but it can also cause your piece to splinter or split.
For the Highest Quality Router Bits and Accessories, Head to Viking Mountain Tool Works Today
You’ll find everything you need here to start getting familiar with this versatile tool. Give us a call today at 580-387-7315, or contact us online with questions about any of our products.