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It's all about the bit. That's right, a router table is defined by the bits you use in creating some of the most impressive and beautiful shapes that give like to a plain piece of wood. Router tables have long been a staple to the professional woodworker's shop and are quickly finding a niche in the handy-man's garage as well. As more people are interested in adding the distinctive touches of trims and mouldings to their homes and furnishings, they are finding that they can do it themselves by learning to guide wood through a router.
But It Looks So Hard!
You may think that it is difficult to created bevelled edges or shaped cornices, but the router saws do all the work. If you can guide a piece of planking through a table saw, then you can master the router table.
Router table plans are available to take down the learning curve too. These plans show what shapes will develop from different bits, angles and motions with your router. There are even router table plans free online.
Bits are the heart behind the capabilities of a router table. Notching and edging patterns are determined by the bit. There are edge bits which create the bevelling on a mantle piece, of straight and rabbetting bits for cutting deep, square notches. Dovetail bits are used in creating the snug fitting found in high-quality drawer construction. Other slot cutters and finger joint bits, such as those available from Whiteside router bits are used to keep cabinet fronts snug inside the edge frames.
Specialty router bits can be used for a number of different projects. The cap pieces in fences for example are made using a raised panel or stile bit. The more specialized the bit, the more cuts it can make with one pass through the table. Even miniature router bits are available for making anything from toys to doll houses to fine detailing on furniture.
The Tops in Tables
Router tables will take up just about the same amount of room in the workshop as the table saw. However, for those with limited space, there are bench top models available. If your bench or table isn't exactly the right height there are height adjusters meant for router tables too. Getting your router aligned to your height is important for added control and precision.
What Your Router Table Plans Will Include
Router table plans are meant to show more than just the shape a router bit will produce. That is just the basic of what the bit is capable of doing. Add to it the imagination that only a craftsman can provide, and you have unlimited design opportunities. Router table plans and patterns show how angling and adjusting the wood with each pass through the router can create a unique look or duplicate a pattern you want to use.
Whether you are capping a fence, fashioning a new fireplace mantle or designing your own unique crown moulding, a router table is the only way to achieve that custom look without the cost of purchasing custom-cut wood. Add the detailing only a router can provide to your next home improvement project.