A hand held router is a powerful woodworking tool that can be used for a wide range of cuts, grooves, and joints. It can also be used to add decorative details.
A router has a spindle that spins variously shaped, small-diameter cutting tools at high speeds. A hand held router is often portable and lightweight.
Versatility
A hand held router is one of the most versatile tools in your woodworking arsenal. It can help you create all kinds of edge profiles, cut rabbets and dadoes, and even shape stylish molding.
A handheld router can also be used as a thickness planer to level uneven wood. There are several different types of routers on the market, including fixed base and plunge routers.
The best handheld routers will have a solid base that’s perpendicular to the bit and can be tilted (this is a big deal, especially for beginners). There are also a number of accessories available to further extend the capabilities of your hand held tool. For example, you might need a router guide or a circle jig to get the most out of your machine. The key to using a handheld router is to maintain good control and be mindful of your surroundings. This will prevent you from accidentally hitting your finger on a sharp point or cutting yourself on an unsharpened blade.
Safety
Safety is one of the most important factors when it comes to using any power tool. It is even more so with a hand held router because it is more close to your body. Thankfully, with the right precautions, a router is a very safe tool to use.
There are many different goals that a handheld router can help you achieve, including adding detail to an edge, creating rock solid joints and detailed joinery, shaping decorative edges, and so much more. But it is essential to understand the basic safety tips when using a handheld router, as with any other power tool.
For example, make sure the feed direction is correct and that you are taking light cuts. Climb cutting – pushing the stock with your fingers as you spin the bit – is dangerous and can easily lead to lost control of your tool or even injury. You can avoid this by twisting your fingers in the direction of the router’s rotation.
Portability
Portable routers are a handy tool for anyone who wants to connect with the Internet on the go. They can be used to tether to LAN connections or create a wireless hotspot by tying to a 3G or 4G data connection.
Hand held routers are often small, making them easy to use. They can be carried around in a bag or pocket for convenient use while traveling.
They can be used to achieve different goals, such as machining dadoes and grooves, shaping decorative edges, cutting rabbets and dovetails, mortise-and-tenon joints, box joints and more.
A router is an essential tool for woodworkers who want to take their skills to a new level. This course produced in conjunction with the Woodworkers Guild of America will teach you how to use your router safely and effectively. It includes over 90 minutes of hands-on video instruction, along with downloadable resources that you can print and keep on hand.
Control
A hand held router is a power tool with the ability to make many different types of cuts and grooves, as well as joints and decorative edges. They can machine dadoes and rabbets, cut dovetails, mortises, tenons and box joints — and that’s just the start.
A typical handheld router has a vertically mounted universal electric motor with a collet on the end of the shaft, and a base with a hole in its center through which the bit protrudes to cut into the target material. Most hand held routers also have a tilting base that lets you adjust the angle to which the router bit is perpendicular to the work piece.
If you’re using a handheld router, it’s important to use all of its features and capabilities. There are many jigs, guides and other attachments available that can improve the function of your router and increase your productivity. But it’s still important to take the time to learn how to use them correctly and safely.
