How To Use A Wood Router? An Ultimate Guide

Wood Router – One Tool for All

You can’t ignore the worthiness of this tiny tool. Especially for the last few years, they have become a prevalent tool for any garage or workshop.

Even now, we have cordless or battery-powered wood routers that are more convenient and can be handled by only one hand.

So what exactly is a wood router, and what it does? Well, apparently, this tool may look small in size, but it can influence your entire project.

The wood router consists of a high-speed motor, a routing blade or a bit, and a metal base to secure the other components. It used to hollow out a chunk of wood from a wooden piece.

It is also used for making grooves, rabbets, and dados on a piece of wood. Moreover, you can laminate the edges and make them smooth and stylish.

In a nutshell, you can execute multitasking without having any trouble, even if you are a newbie. And the best thing is, you will get a precise cut or route. So yes, it’s one tool for all.

Make Clear-cut Dadoes

Making dados is one of the best tasks that you can attain from a wood router. In cabinetry, we often use dadoes for a smooth and adhesive joint.

A dado is a narrow ditch in a wood bar to make a joint seamlessly strong and invisible. There are two basic types of dado.

1. Stopped Dado
2. Through Dado

Stopped Dado

It is a carving line in the wooden piece without any loose end. Both ends are closed, and you can insert another bar of wood and fix it without being able to move it inside.

Through Dado

It is the reverse to the stopped dodo. You can insert the other wooden bar into it with the allocation of moving it forward or backward due to its both loose ends.

So using a good wood router, you can carve precise dadoes in no time.

Smoothen the Edges

In carpentry, we cannot afford the jagged or spiky edges as they ruin the beauty of a wooden slice. So once we have carved our desired patterns of wood, it’s time to smoothen the rough edges. And no tool can convey the superiority that a wood router can do.

So you can buff the router bit around the edges of wood and see the magic. The router will clean the edges and make them even and classy without any extra effort.

Moreover, once you have a preferred polished edge, you can make copies of it with the same detailed level.

There are some plights when working on a tidy narrow wood chunk, as it is tough to suave the inner edges; this is the scenario when a wood router comes to rescue your project.

You can work on a tiny piece of wood without any trouble.

Now it’s time for Rabbets

Rabbets are kind of similar to dadoes if we specifically talk about their utilities. A rabbet is carving on the edge of a wooden plate. The purpose of making a rabbet is pretty much similar to the dadoes.

Infect, a rabbet is used with a dado to form an adhesive joint. With the combination of both engraved cuts, a strong joint takes place.

So with the assistance of a wood router, you can make so many rabbits with different sizes, shapes, and lengths. A wood router will save you time and money in this process.

In cabinetry, you will need to groove so many rabbets and dadoes with combination according to the demand of the project. So if you are a novice, then make a start with simple dadoes and rabbits to get your hand fully skilled on all types of them.

Make different edge Styles

You must have seen a stylish round edge on different types of wood furniture from TV trolleys to doors and windows. Have you ever wondered how they have done that?

The answer is through a good wood router. Yes, a wood router can stylize the round edges on doors and windows. There are so many styles, and some of the most prevalent are beaded and roman ogee.

The design is depended on the style of the bit. Just use the different style bits and make as styles as you want. In the beginning, you may find it a bit difficult as you need to drive the bit so accurately and with perfect speed.

If you show some hurry, you may get some spiky edges, or even if you go so slow, you may burn out the surface of the wood.

So do some practices, and you will get an estimate about how and where to set the speed.

CNC-Engraving

This is the most advanced shape of the wood router. A CNC (Computer Numeric Control) router is a router assembled with a computerized program or software. The yield of this router is extremely precise as it functions through an automatic control system.

The basic principle of working is a computerized program that runs the router with some pairs of motors to travel the motor horizontally and vertically.

You have to feed the software with your desired engraving design and leave the rest of the work on the CNC router.

Today, we are using these routers for lettering on the wood and making highly precise designs.

Some of the Best Wood Routers

So now you know how you can practice your router and make some fantastic pieces of art. However, if you still don’t have a wood router, I suggest some of the best wood routers for you.

In light of my years of experience, I have dug out some of the finest pieces of routers that are easy to use and durable in operating.

But I will only include three of them here.

• Bosch 1617EVSPK
• DEWALT DWP611PK
• BOSCH PR20EVSK

Let’s discuss some of the best features of these three routers.

Bosch 1617EVSPK

The very first thing about this router is its durable housing, which is made up of sturdy aluminum.

You can set the speed through the adjustable speed dial. Also, it is mounted with a 2.25 HP motor that can run from 8000 to 25000 RPMs. So it’s a great choice if you are looking for a suggestion.

However, the price tag is a bit high and may not be suitable for beginners.

DEWALT DWP611PK

My second suggestion is the DEWALT DWP611PK. Dewalt is a brand that doesn’t need any introduction as they are making some finest kind of routers for a long span of time.

In this router, they are offering a 1.25 HP motor with the rpm range of 16000 to 27000. Therefore, it’s a perfect blessing for those who want a high speed and firm router tool.

Moreover, this model comes with a moderate price tag, so yes, it’s the best choice for beginners. It also comes with an adjustable speed controller and LED light for the better visional experience.

BOSCH PR20EVSK

It’s a compact router with massive features. Rendering a 1.0 HP motor and executing 16000 to 35000 RPMs. It is also channelized with a variable speed control dial to set the speed conferring to your need and also prevents the start-up jerks.

However, you may observe the overheating issue in this model.

Conclusion

Working with a wood router can emphasize your woodworking skills along with the ease of operation. You can make almost anything from classy beaded door edges to simple dadoes or rabbets without investing any extra efforts. It’s a new era, and technology is developing so rapidly. Make the right decision today and show the world what you can do because nothing can stop you except yourself.