Replies

1. 
   scott345 | Apr 28, 2005 11:39pm | #1

   check out the one by Gary Rogowski by taunton. There is also a DVD to go along with the book.  Good sound basic info.

2. 
   SawdustSteve | Apr 29, 2005 05:33am | #2

   Hi Toolfreak... do a google search for Pat Warner. Lots of great router info there.

   You may also want to check out http://www.oak-park.com. This is the site for the TV program 'Router Workshop. Unfortunately, to my eye, most of his furniture designs scream 1950s... but if that is the style you like then you should have a ball there.
   SawdustSteve

3. 
   billballeza | Apr 29, 2005 05:52am | #3

   I was faced with your dilemma for about three years. I actually owned two routers, (3hp Makita plunge, 1 1/2hp Craftsman) and didn't know how to use them.

   I bought two router books online expecting to learn how to rout.. but only learned about different kinds of routers and bits and jigs.. just as you have discovered.

   I got Rogowski's tape from Taunton and it all began to come together. He demonstrates how to use the router and the router table and actually makes something. (A box to store his router)

   I'm glad I didn't just fire one up and begin routing as some people advised me to do. The tape showed me how the blade spins and the proper direction for routing. It taught me safety and router table technique.

   From there, I studied the router bit catalogs I always get in the mail and learned what bits are available and what different ones are meant for.

   I now routinely use my routers and table for tongue and groove, mortises, dadoes, rabbets, edging, roundovers and slots. I've made jigs for dadoes and rabbeting and for mortising.

   I'm still light years from being good with a router.. but that Rogowski tape really got the ball rolling for me.

4. 
   Ole | Apr 29, 2005 09:57am | #4

   Hi Toolfreak !

   Try looking at "Woodworking with the router" by Bill Hylton and Fred Matlack. It explain how routers work, different models, bits etc. It discusses techniques and some easy made jigs that most WW's can make.

   It's only 13.75$ at amazon (paperback).

   Ole

   .... I Love the smell of sawdust in the morning....

5. 
   badoyn | Apr 29, 2005 08:51pm | #5

   Go to http://www.patwarner.com and check out Pat's book, articles and other stuff. Top quality info and materials.

   Michael

1. 
   nikkiwood | May 01, 2005 06:50am | #7

   I second the recommendation for Pat Warner's site (linked in Post 6 above).Pat is a regular contributor to Knots -- he uses "routerman" as his handle. He has come up with some ingenious gismos for the router that he sells through his site, but if you look around some, he has also provided a treasure trove of general info on picking and using a router."I would never die for my beliefs because I might be wrong."
   -- Bertrand Russell

6. 
   jazzdogg | Apr 30, 2005 01:29am | #6

   Hi Toolfreak,

   You might want to check out "Router Joinery Workshop" by Carol Reed (Lark Books). It's comprehensive and straight forward.

   -Jazzdogg-

   Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right.