Routers are versatile power tools that open up a whole new world of woodworking possibilities. From cutting precision edges to creating complex joinery, routers allow DIYers to make professional-looking projects with relative ease. This guide will explore some of the best router-based projects for woodworkers of all skill levels.
| Key Takeaways | |
|---|---|
| Great Beginner Woodworking Projects Using a Router | |
| Decorative edges and inlays on boards | |
| Picture frames utilizing edge profiling | |
| Cutting boards with rounded edges and juice grooves | |
| Inlaid serving trays utilizing wood veneers | |
| Intermediate Router Woodworking Projects to Build Skills | |
| Custom signage using letter templates | |
| Strong interlocking box joints | |
| Dados, rabbets, and grooves for incorporating furniture parts | |
| Advanced Router Projects Take Your Skills to the Next Level | |
| Glass front cabinet doors featuring recessed panels | |
| Custom decorative moldings | |
| Artistic inlays using exotic woods and other materials | |
| Important Router Gear, Accessories and Tips | |
| Plunge routers, router tables, quality bits, and guides | |
| Router speed controls and securing workpieces | |
| High quality bits and jointing jigs | |
| Bit maintenance and replacement |
Great Beginner Woodworking Projects Using a Router
Just getting started in woodworking? The router allows beginners to add fine details and advanced joinery to projects without investing in lots of expensive tools. Some great introductory projects include:
Making Custom Edge Boards and Inlays
One of the simplest router techniques is to create decorative edging on boards using a flush trim bit. Clamp a pattern or template guide to trace the desired profile. This allows beginners to add intricate details like grooves, bevels, and inlays. These edge boards can then embellish tabletops, shelves, cabinets and more.
Building Picture Frames
Picture frames are straightforward beginner projects that utilize the router’s edge profiling abilities. Use a round over bit to ease frame edges, adding an elegant finish. The router can also cut precision rabbets to accept glass inserts and backing boards. Experiment with molding profiles to create classical or modern looks.
Crafting Cutting Boards
Cutting boards make both great gifts and functional kitchen tools. While the main cutting board blank can be made with just a saw, the router opens up options for decorative edges and juice grooves. Round over router bits add safe, rolled edges that are gentle on hands when chopping and look more refined.
Inlaying Serving Trays and Boxes
For small decorative objects like jewelry boxes, make unique inlaid designs with wood veneers and a router with a guide bushing. Remove wood in the main project piece to accept contrasting inlay materials for a striking visual look combining wood types and colors. This develops important router control abilities.
Intermediate Router Woodworking Projects to Build Skills
Once you have a handle on the basics, try stepping up to some more complex router-based jobs. Popular intermediate projects include:
Designing Custom Signage
Create personalized signs with a router using letter templates and sign carving bits. First, carve out letter recesses into a routed-out plaque area. Then use a flush-trim bit to trace the template outline perfectly. Paint or stain letters in a contrasting shade.
Joining Wood Pieces with Box Joints
Moving beyond butt joints, incorporate strong interlocking box joints on jewelry boxes, drawers, and frames. Using a special jig with the router makes evenly spaced pins and tails easy to execute. Match them up tightly for a professional fit.
Cutting Dados and Grooves
Routers excel at cutting channels and grooves for holding and concealing shelves, panels, and drawers. Dados, rabbets, and grooves neatly incorporate cabinets and furniture parts like cabinet doors or table leaves. Guided with a straight bit and fence/jig, the router neatly removes material right where you need it.
Advanced Router Projects Take Your Skills to the Next Level
Once comfortable with joinery techniques, try even more artistic and challenging router endeavors. Some advanced router projects well-suited for experienced woodworkers include:
Building Glass-Front Cabinet Doors
Construct stunning cabinet doors featuring recessed glass panels made accurately with a router, a hinge mortising jig, and the right bits. Cut openings to fit and hold glass, then use trim bits to cut sticking to overlay the glass. Use specialty hinge and shelf pin router jigs for fast precision.
Making Decorative Moldings from Scratch
Once you’ve mastered edge profiles, kick it up a notch by creating custom decorative molding designs. Make classic crown molding, chair rail, baseboard and door/window trim suited exactly to your space and style. Use multiple router bit passes with a fence to create built-up molding layers.
Incorporating Composite Inlays for Decorative Impact
Take inlays to the next level by layering contrasting exotic wood veneers and other materials into the recess. Carefully cutting pockets with multiple bits, then applying colorful wood, crushed stone, or liquid resin creates stunning “marquetry” effects once sanded and polished. The results take furniture and boxes up a decorative notch.
Important Router Gear, Accessories and Tips
No matter your skill level, good router accessories are key to success. Investing in a plunge router, router table setup, quality bits, and guides takes projects to a higher level. Here are some top tips:
- Use router speed controls when possible. Start slower with large bits and adjust speed as needed. Always allow bits to reach full RPMs prior to contacting wood.
- Secure workpieces with clamps! This keeps hands safely away and minimizes vibration for cleaner cuts
- Apply masking tape edges before routing to reduce tear-out
- Use high-speed steel/carbide bits for smoother, splinter-free cuts
- Invest in jointing jigs or building your own router table to elevate joinery abilities
- Maintain bits sharp and clean cuts by regularly removing built-up pitch. Replacing dull bits helps too.
Conclusion
Routers provide an essential power boost to many key woodworking techniques from decorative edging to shaping moldings. With the right accessories and know-how applied to choose suitable beginner-friendly projects, amateur woodworkers can safely build skills over time. Mastering basics like rounded edges, rabbets, dados and inlays opens the door to tackling more complex cabinetry and carpentry down the road.
Equipped with a quality router, bits, safety gear and some creativity – the possibilities are truly endless! Don’t be afraid to think outside the box in terms of cool designs only limited by imagination and skill level. Part of the joy is learning along the way.
What router projects are you excited to try for the first time? Let us know your goals and questions in the comments! For more woodworking guides and project inspiration, check out these additional resources:
- Woodworking for Beginners
- Common Woodworking Joinery Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
- Amazing Woodworking Projects Around the Globe
Frequently Asked Questions About Routers and Router Projects
Q: What is the benefit of a plunge vs fixed-base router?
A: The key benefit of a plunge router is the ability to easily adjust bit depth while working. Fixed routers require preset depth stops. Plunge routers allow starting cuts mid-workpiece.
Q: Is building a router table essential for getting more from a router?
A: Router tables are incredibly beneficial for expanded capabilities, precision, safety and control. Tables offer fence guides to feed work consistently. Investing in or building a table unlocks many advanced router moves.
Q: What are some key router safety tips?
A: Always unplug routers when changing bits. Hold securely when operating, don’t force bits. Use guards, anti-kickback tools, go slow/careful on first passes. Ensure bits turn freely before cutting. Wear eye/ear/dust protection.
Q: What are signs my router bits need replacement/sharpening?
A: Inspect router bits regularly for dullness, chips or damage affecting cut quality. Replace immediately if bent or excessively worn. Touching up carbide edges restores a sharp edge.
Q: What causes burn/discolored marks sometimes left by routing cuts?
A: Excessive routing speed and trying to remove too much material per pass can lead to burn marks as bits generate excess heat and friction. Slow down the feed rate and use multiple shallow/incremental passes.
Q: How should I best store router bits to prevent damage/breakage?
A: Router bits are delicate and expensive, so proper care extends usefulness. Don’t just throw bits together where cutting edges might contact. Use bit cases, sleeves, compartments, or magnetic strips to keep bits safely organized.
Q: What is the “climb cutting” risk and how can I avoid it?
A: Climb cutting is when you rout wood “backwards” and the spinning bit grabs and propels the work dangerously. Always rout workpieces so they are fed Left-to-Right against bit rotation to reduce risk or violent catches causing injuries, broken bits, damaged work, etc.
Below are three external links that could be relevant to this article:
https://www.rockler.com/learn/beginners-guide-to-choosing-router-bits Router 101