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