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How to Make a Wood Sign With a Router?
Not many people are aware of the fact that a wooden sign can bring more appeal to a property, but it can. Wood signs are so retro and classy at the same time; they can help your home stand out. Wooden signs are a great gift as well, and you can customize it as much as you want until you get exactly what you needed.
Making signs is not that hard at all. Continue through the text, and we’ll give you a step by step process of how to make a polished and professional looking wooden sign. All you need is a router and a couple of hours of your time. Now, let’s get to the details.
Step 1 – Figure out Precisely What you Want to Achieve.
Most projects have to begin with some planning, and that goes with making wooden signs as well. The first thing you have to figure out is the size of the board and the size of the letters you want to carve in it. The bigger the letters – the smaller the board. You will have to sacrifice something depending on the number of letters you want on it.
The dimensions of the signs are critical, but the lettering should be your first concern. The letters have to be visible, but not too large or too small. Try to put it on paper first, to get the best idea before transferring it to the wood.
Step 2 – Prepare the Wooden Board
So, there are two ways in which you can address this problem – you can either create a wooden board of the correct size yourself, or you can start with a finished board you bought somewhere. What matters is that you prepare the board correctly.
If you want to make it from scratch, make sure you get the right dimensions, then trim the excess off and sand all of the rough edges until you get a beautiful, smooth finish.
Step 3 – Draw the Letters and Details on the Board
Well, this can be done in some different ways. Today’s technology allows you to draw perfect letters with a computer, but you’ll need to do it by hand if you want that countryside type of sign. If you want a business sign, you’ll have to find the right font and make sure that everything is super accurate.
When you apply the letters to the wood with a pen, don’t worry about the marks because you’ll sand them off later on. Just don’t bore the lines too deep into the wood because you might end up sanding the sign for days.
4. Circle Routing
Place your device on a trammel arm that circles one point. You can quickly cut out the workpiece from a more massive unfinished wood. The best part is that you can do this without using a saw.
Choose the right one for the screw you will use. For larger projects, you can use two or three keyhole slots or one for a smaller one. Lay out your keyholes accordingly and drive the screws into wall studs.
The technique is the same for placing the keyholes on horizontal or vertical elements of your work. The next thing is to plunge into the back to the adjusted depth.
The rest is simple; rout about one inch or maybe two of the slot, turn off your unit and get back to the place where you plunged in before setting up the device.
5. Inlay
The best way to create tight-fitting inlays is to use a plunge router. You will eliminate the chance of veering off course by using templates with guide bushings or bearing-guided. Whether the inlay serves to patch a flaw in the wood or for decoration, with the store-bought kits, you can rout the recess.
6. Keyholes
If you want to hang something on the wall without using a wire or a hanger bracket you can make a slotted keyhole. It is the best option for you mainly because the shank and screw head slip into the slot and you won’t be able to see it. Some router bits are made explicitly for creating these keyhole slots in different sizes.
7. Dual-Light Offset Subbase
LED lights and laser locators will be made this subbase perfect for a plunge router tasks. For lining up a plunge cut, use the crosshair lasers which are excellent for this job. With the LED light you will be able to see tasks that are hardly visible.
8. Dust Hoods
Dust hoods sometimes come as accessories, but some manufacturers include them with the appliances. With it, you will be able to dust and gobbling up chips when hooked to a shop vacuum.
9. Sign Making
That is a very simple task that requires two options. First, you need to draw the letters or sign onto your unfinished wood and after that rout freehand along all the lines.
For this project, you need to have a steady hand.
Conclusion
A plunge router is a powerful tool of the modern wood shop. We hope that this article helped you to discover more ideas on how to use this appliance more effectively.
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Hitachi M12V2 Router Review
Customer Rating
VERSATILE
PRECISION
PRICE
PROS
Lots of power
Smooth plunge action
Variable speeds from 8000 to 22000 RPM
Outstanding base plate
Stable and heavy duty
Accurate plunge depth scale
Accessible spindle lock
Comes with all the necessary accessories
Flat edge baseplate
CONS
The plunge lock is hard to operate with one hand
The lock loses grip because of vibrations
Can’t be used for fine woodwork
The motor doesn’t have a brake
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If you need a router, it’s best you get one that has the best values for the price you pay, and the Hitachi M12V2 is precisely that. Why? Well, you get everything you would with a full-size router, but at a much lower price and in a compact product. The router works well and can help you finish up many different woodworking projects over the house.
What do you get?
Upon purchase, you will receive all the necessary equipment you need for all types of woodwork you could do with this router. You will get a 1/2-inch collet, a smaller 1/4-inch collet, a straight guide that will make trimming and edging much easier, a centering gauge, a dust adapter, wing screws, and the wrench needed to change bits.
Design and build
We have to say that as far as the design goes, the Hitachi M12V2 looks great. It looks like some device from an alien movie because of the green and black plastic cover. You can see right away that this is a product that’s made to last. Everything looks and feels durable and well-made. The machine weighs in at almost 14 pounds which is a bit heavy, but that’s the price durability.
This is perhaps the best plunge router from Hitachi, and it packs quite a punch. The 3.5 HP motor is designed to tackle heavy duty jobs with ease. Every component used to build this tool is of top quality, including the seamless plastic top.
What’s more important is that the center axis of the motor and the base plate are aligned perfectly. Each unit is hand tested before it leaves the factory.
READ AMAZON REVIEWS
The motor can produce 15 amps of power, putting it among the most potent routers you can buy today. You can use a switch to control the power of the motor anywhere between 8000 and 22000 RPM. The motor is a bit slow at lower speeds, but it can still perform as you expect it to. The on/off switch is located conveniently next to your right thumb, and you don’t have to hold it down the entire time you’re working.
The base of the Hitachi M12V2 has a circular shape, and the rear is straight to allow the guide fence to be attached. The subbase is made out of plastic and is held in place with four screws. You have to take it off and use the same holes to attach the router to a workbench.
Features of the Hitachi M12V2
Apart from providing lots of power and being able to finish up all kinds of woodworking projects, this router has a couple of useful features that make operating it very smooth and easy. The soft-start tech built in the unit helps you make perfect cuts even on the hardest wood. This tool is very popular among carpenters and woodworkers.
The router is easily customizable as it comes with plenty of accessories, all designed to make different woodworking jobs easier. Changing bits is super easy, and it takes only a couple of seconds. You can quickly change the router to a plunger or attach it to a table if working on larger projects. The collets that come with this router give you even more versatility.
Every tool coming from Hitachi has an ergonomic shape, and this one is no exception. The two large handles on each side give you control and enhance comfort. The weight of the router keeps it stable while you work so that you can route with only one hand. The handles are coated with an elastic compound that reduces vibration, prevents slipping and gives you maximum control over your work. The dust guide is there to protect the motor and work surface from debris, keeping your workspace clear so you can concentrate on the cuts.
The adjustable depth stops and rotating turret are very accurate, so you can use the machine for decorative woodwork. The depth scale is also impressive, and it has both metric and imperial units. The mechanism looks a bit odd, but it works well and is super accurate, which is the most important thing.
What’s wrong with the product?
Let’s just be clear on one thing first, the positives of this product far outweigh the negatives, that’s for sure. With that said, we think that the plunge lock is a little hard to use with one hand, especially during cutting. The plunge lock can also make some problems because it loses grip due to vibration so you’ll have to check the depth often. Also, the weight and size of the machine make it too bulky for fine woodwork, but then again, it’s not what it’s made for.
THE CONCLUSION
If you want to buy a full-size router that can work with hardwood and help you finish all kinds of jobs quickly and effortlessly, the Hitachi M12V2 is the ideal pick for you. It provides the power and the performance you would usually expect from a tool that’s much more expensive than this one. Furthermore, it’s well-engineered and features a plunge mechanism so that you can use it as a plunger too. The only real drawback has to be the plunge lock that just gets in the way.
This is not a tool that’s designed for fine work; it’s a heavy tool for heavy work. It’s easy to operate, you have plenty of control and options, and the machine comes with all of the extra parts you could need. So, if you want to buy a plunger router that will work like a charm for years, this is without the one for you.
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Bosch PR20EVSK Review
Customer Rating
VERSATILE
PRECISION
PRICE
PROS
Easy base change
Ergonomic grip allows increased control
Bits are easily changeable
7-step depth stop turret
Straight edge guide
Protective hard case
Speeds up to 35000 RPM
CONS
Spindle lock in hard to operate
Lacks a dust cover on the power switch
Side handles missing
Gets hot during use
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The Bosch PR20EVSK is a router that’s used by many professional woodworkers which already speaks enough about its value and quality. One of the best features of this device is the grip that fits perfectly into your hands, allowing you to operate it with precision. The grip damps the vibrations, so your hands won’t get tired quickly. The router also has variable speeds, it’s light, has plenty of power, and the automatic spindle lock allows you to change bits in seconds. The router is ideal for working on the edges, decorative woodwork, dadoes, and so on. It’s a tool for every household.
What do you get?
Bosch is one of the most renown names in the world of power tools, and their products are often the best in their categories. The Bosch PR20EVSK is a great tool and it comes with some extra gear. Upon purchase, you will get a palm router, a drop-forged collet along with the shaft wrenches, another, regular collet, straight-edge guide, fixed base, and of course, a protective hard plastic case.
THE DESIGN AND DESIGN
Like with all other tools from Bosch, the PR20EVSK is designed to perform well and last for a long time. This is perhaps the best handheld router on the market, and that’s all due to its power and amazing ergonomic shape. When you grab it, there is no chance that the machine will skew away or cut too deep because it fits perfectly into your hand which gives you superior control at all times.
The tool can be used as a standard router and as a plunge router, which gives it even more value. It works great both ways, and the plunge base is one of the best we’ve seen so far. It allows amazing accuracy, and it’s super easy to set up and use.
It takes only a couple of tries to get the feeling for this device, so you won’t have problems using it for your DIY projects or at your shop.
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The hard case is an excellent little detail because it protects your tool. The tool itself is nice and sturdy, it has some weight, and it feels like it’s indestructible in your hand. It also packs quite a lot of power and is reliable. This is a great tool to have around the house, especially for the price it goes with.
Features of the Bosch PR20EVSK
Horsepower is an essential feature in a router, and this one has 1 HP. That sounds little, but it’s more than enough for a machine of that size. The motor pushes 5.6 amps of speed, and that gives it plenty of torque, just what you need to finish up small projects like trimming.
The soft start feature is another impressive thing about this router as it gives you improved control at the start of a project and it also protects the motor from overheating. The soft starter makes sure that the motor doesn’t get too much power so the tool won’t get away from you.
Furthermore, the motor protector provides a steady current which allows consistent performance. That means that it makes better and cleaner cuts. When it comes to working speed, this router has an RPM range of 16000 to 35000 RPM.
The speed dial is located on the top, and you can use it while you work to slow down or speed up the rotating head, depending on the task at hand. You get less friction, more control while protecting the motor by changing speeds when needed. The router has the Constant Response circuitry feature that makes sure that your motor works well and that it puts out the right RPM for a constant performance.
Fixed base and plunge base
One of the best things about the Bosch PR20EVSK is the fact that it can be used as both a fixed base and a plunge base router. That gives this tool plenty of versatility and areas of application. The plunge base is well-designed, and the action lock is placed so conveniently, it’s one of the easiest to use on the market. It has a 7-step depth stop turret and a depth indicator knob. The subbase is clear which gives you a good view of what you are doing at all times. Two large grips on both sides of the plunger allow increased control and comfort. You can switch bases in seconds and use the lockdown mechanism to lock it in. Just re-check the measurements and make adjustments if needed. The fixed base is ideal for edging and trimming, and the plunge base gives you more options and a larger application, making this small and compact router ideal for home projects.
The Negatives
Some users reported that the Spindle lock is hard to operate, you need a couple of wrenches to make it work. Also, the lack of side handles makes some tasks harder, except if you use it as a plunger. The edge guide doesn’t have any markings, so it’s a little hard to keep an eye on your progress. The router gets really hot after some use, so you need gloves when using it.
THE CONCLUSION
The Bosch PR20EVSK is a great tool that can be used to trim, edge, and cut wood in some ways. It’s not expensive, it comes with plenty of extra gear, and it can replace a couple of tools by itself. This is a machine that puts out up to 35000 RPM; it has enough power even for the toughest task. For such a small router, this machine is great because it can be used for many different things. It’s so precise; you can finish the most laborious tasks with ease. This is the best palm router on the market. Try it, and you’ll love it!
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Black & Decker Plunge Router (RP250) Review
Customer Rating
VERSATILE
PRECISION
PRICE
PROS
Low price
Easy and simple to set up and use
Ideal for beginners
Variable motor speed
Gradual motor start
Improved precision
Lightweight
CONS
Not sturdy enough
Isn’t meant for professionals
Motor overheats when working with hardwood
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If you have a need for a plunge router, but you don’t want to spend over 100 dollars, the Black & Decker RP250 Plunge Router is just what you need. It’s a great tool that has high performance, and you can use it on most light home improvement projects. It’s easy to use so beginners won’t have problems handling it.
What do you get?
Upon purchase, you will receive a 1/4 inch collet and wrench. You will also get an adjustable parallel edge guide that will help you use the tool most efficiently. This is a machine designed for decorative woodwork which is why it only comes with minimal extra equipment.
Design and build
The Black & Decker RP250 Plunge Router has a unique design because it allows the user to start working on wood from the center of the piece, rather than from the edges, like other router tables make you. That’s why it’s called a plunge router. The design of the device is ergonomic, and it fits great in the hands.
The router has a base line that’s added to improve convenience and visibility since you’ll be working from the center of a piece. A depth scale is there too, and it makes projects much easier because you can always keep an eye on how deep the blade is.
The scale is accurate up to half a millimeter, and that allows you to produce quality products.
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The device has a trigger switch that turns it off when you let it go, and the contoured chip shield keeps you protected from flying debris and woodchips. The weight of the router is only 9.9 pounds, and it’s made to be a portable tool you can take anywhere. That makes it ideal for home improvement jobs because you can get them done on site.
The amazing features
The Black & Decker RP250 is a specialized router that has a plunge base that’s ideal for decorative wood cutting. So, that means that you get all of the benefits of a router table, but you get more versatility and control. It makes standard cutting much easier and you can approach each project from a different angle, which gives this cheap but efficient router, more value in the right hands.
When you start working, you can choose the speed of the blade that varies anywhere from 8000 to 27000 rotates per minute (RPM). That’s a handy feature because it allows you to use the tool for many different projects and applications. The 10 amp high tech motor has plenty of power so that you won’t have problems cutting through even the hardest wood.
The soft start function is also a great little feature because it provides the user with more control and accuracy when he starts cutting. The blade will slowly speed up, but only when you are sure that it’s exactly where you need it to be. When the blade gets to maximum speed, the specially designed Sightline base gives you more visibility and control.
The router comes with a 2-year warranty, which is impressive since it costs less than 100 dollars. When you consider that you get an adjustable parallel edge guide, a 0.25-inch collet, and a wrench, the RP250 is a tool that every woodworker could use.
Performance
Superior performance is what makes this device so great. That is possible because it was designed to have all of the benefits that come with a standard fixed base router and a plunge base router. The powerful 10-amp motor has the power you need to finish up light-duty jobs easily and precise. You can find machines with more power, but you won’t get all of the features you do with the Black & Decker RP250.
The device was designed for decorative woodworking, and it’s designed allows you to quickly finish up some tasks that would take much more time to a standard machine. It will make holes and cut out different shapes from the center of a piece, but can’t handle large pieces of thick and hardwood. Even though the machine is easy to use, it does take some time to master, but when you do that, you can create some cool wooden pieces in no time at all.
The Negatives
Some users complain about the power of the motor as it can burn out if you use it on super-hard wood types. If you push it too hard, it can fry and break, so use it only on softwood and light projects. The other problem people have is with the plastic shield that gets in the way when you want to change parts of the router. It was placed there for protection, not for practical use.
THE CONCLUSION
If you are a beginner woodworker or if you need a plunger router for some home improvement jobs, the Black & Decker RP250 is a great tool. It is cheap and good enough to help you with most amateur projects, but you can’t expect it to perform as an expensive tool can.
With that said, it’s still a tool that can help you in ways other tools can’t. It allows you to start working on wood from the center rather than the edges of the piece. That makes it ideal for decorative woodwork, and since it’s accurate and lightweight, you can get a lot done with it. This is a tool that’s made to help woodworkers finish up projects faster and easier.
The tool is also an excellent pick for people that are working on a tight budget as it’s one of the cheapest tools in its category. It’s a low-cost device that delivers exactly what a DIY enthusiast could ever need.
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DIY Router Table Plan – Making a Router Fence
Whether you already own or intend to build your own router table it is hard to imagine that you can do any type of precision woodwork done without a proper router fence. Since you are already here reading through the beginning of this guide – it is safe to say that you want the know-how on how to build one on your own. We also suggest that you browse some of our other useful guides to learn the woodworking basics and find out more about the tools that you’re going to use in this guide.
By the end of this article – you will learn the basics and attain the knowledge on how to build a standard router fence. The beauty of this basic design is that it will fit right in on whatever router table you intend to use it on. Note that diy router table fence is a general do-it-yourself guide which means that you must have at least some experience building things beforehand
We will guide you through all of the steps which can be considered beginner ready. This means it will be easy for you to complete them easily. Be sure to prepare all the necessary tools and gear before starting and try to stick to the guidelines for best results and optimal quality finish of the router fence.
Preparations
Before you begin, we must make sure that you have all of the materials and tools ready for the building process. For the fence itself, we suggest oak, maple or pressed plywood (if you’re on a tight budget). Another important step is to separate the tabletop in order to draw the holes for where the fence will come in place.
You will need to have two separate fence supports which should be cut out of oak wood for better strength and durability. Fine sandpaper, lacquer for the final coat finish and some oil are only needed if you want to add nice touches at the end of the build.
Depending on the size requirements you will also need glue, screws and a drill. If your parts are not premade you will need to perform all the measurements and cutting by yourself. For the 32” length designs we suggest using 1/4” hex bolts, 5/16” T-bolts and 1/4” T-bolts. It all depends on the size of your base which we will discuss in more detail in the next steps.
Plan Before The First Cuts
Measure the top surface of your router table as you will have to adapt the base of the fence to match and fit. Start making the base by drawing up the hole placeholders and measuring the dimensions of the edges where the cuts will be made. Preferably – remove the top base of your table in order to get more precise drilling for the holes.
1. Create The Base First
The best material for the base would be the plywood. It is cheap and most importantly – easy to work with. We suggest using at least ¼ inch thick sheet of plywood. Since you are still using the router top surface as your guideline for cutting – be sure to follow the edges to get the right dimensions. Decide how long you want the guide to be and make it suit your requirements.
2. Making The Holes
Next up is making screw holes that will keep everything secure in position. If you already drew up all of the dots around the base – it is time to push through and create space. Use a drill head that suits your screw diameter or even use a size less thinner one to get a tight overall fit. Keep in mind that you will need countersinks to prevent loose fittings and prevent any potential board movements!
3. Cutting Out Slots
We come to the very important part where you need to make two symmetrical openings for the fence. You will use them to adjust overall length and those will also serve as a guide during later use. Using the spacing between the slots as a measurement will help you mark and drill holes for the two screws. Use an inch or ½ thick hardwood for this little fence and attach it by running the screws through both slot openings.
4. Attaching The Guide
Once all parts are secure proceed to attach the newly assembled guide to the router. Screw down the base to your top table surface after you’ve previously aligned it to predrilled holes. When you finish attaching – test the movement of the guide to check for resistance and uneven movements.
Final Fit And Finishing Touches
No matter your budget, we strongly suggest using sandpaper and fine grain metal wool to create a smooth surface on both the guide and the top of the base.
Additionally using oil will add a nice color to the wooden texture and once you cover it with lacquer – it will be smooth and make less friction. Of course, this is a completely optional step which you can skip entirely as it doesn’t affect the end usability at all. It is for pure visual appeal only.
Conclusion
We reckon all of the materials with the added luxury of completing the finishing visual touches keep this project affordable enough for everyone. Not to mention all of the experience and satisfaction you will gain by completing the project and making a router table fence with your own hands.
Seeing the prices of some of the commercially available design this relatively simple DIY start to make even more sense financially when you think about it. For less than a hundred dollars, you will be able to learn something new, have fun doing it and get to keep your hard earned money too!
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How to Calculate Board Footage? (The Lumber Rule)
If the very mention of the Lumber Rule doesn’t ring a bell at all to you it means that you may not have as much experience at woodworking as much as you think you do. Fear not, we will explain this whole new matter if you’re a complete novice and provide some useful tips that will benefit more advanced craftsmen too. Board footage is essential when you go out to acquire materials for your wood works projects.
As with all other crafts where something is used to create objects – you will have to know how much you need in order to save resources and not create an unnecessary waste. If up until now you had doubts and unknowns and asked yourself – “how do I calculate board feet” too often – keep reading to learn and excel at this important and often overlooked skill.
What Is A Lumber Rule?
In the days where people had to find creative ways to speed up work and not bother with paperwork they decided to use thin boards with different scale markings. Thus the lumber rule was invented. It helps process large piles of timber which in the old days simply was the easiest and most practical method of measuring build material.
This method uses the simple formula by calculating the multiplication of Length, Width, Height or Thickness and dividing it by 144 ( cubic inches of rough lumber) and it looks like this for the final measurement in inches:
Board Feet = Length(in) x Width(in) x Height(in) (or thickness) / 144
And this is the mathematical formula for calculating in feet:
Board Feet = Length (feet) x Width(in) x Height(in) (or thickness) / 12
This formula is applicable to measurements that include fractional wood dimensions as long as it is in decimal form.
Pen And Paper Or Digital Calculation?
Seeing how it’s the 21st century and all – we kindly advise that you check out and use some of the ready-made online calculators. They are free and accurate and very useful if you do a lot of board material calculations for your projects.
Plus, it is just as effortless as going online and typing in measurements and you’re done in a matter of seconds! This saves you lots of time and in fact, most of the timber processing plants use their own digital calculators to keep their operations fast and efficient.
Why Calculation Of Board Footage Matters
While it may not be important ( to some) in this line of work, the amount of wood resources on our planet is, in fact, limited and according to scientific data, the supply is lessening every year. We cut more trees than we plant and this creates shortages and price hikes of raw materials. Surely you see the difference between various types of timber and if that annoys you now – watch what happens in about years to come.
This is precisely why resource planning and reduction of waste material matters in this trade. Logically and rationally calculating board footage helps minimise resource wastage and saves money too. By using rather simple math or consulting online calculators you can find out how much you need for your next woodworking project with more precision than ever before.
Your Measurements Vs The Lumberyard
This is something that happens often and we simply have to address it as it also happens to us too. In fact – more often than we’d like to admit. Sometimes when you get to the lumberyard you might have to face the difference in measurements that they provide you with. This is to be expected since they have more experience and lower error tolerances with measuring.
After all, they do it for a living! Be patient and go over your findings again and try to see if it’s really you who got it wrong. Most of the time it is because of the variable thickness of certain kinds of lumber so do not cause unnecessary trouble for some small variations.
Remember that the point of all this new knowledge is to minimise your spendings and better plan your projects. As you get better acquainted with timber and boards made out of different hardwood you will learn the varying thickness and dimensions. This will help you become more adept at lumber rule calculation with time.
Should You Make The Lumber Rule Stick?
We bet that this has been on your mind ever since you started researching this topic. You might have even seen some of the guides that instruct you on how to make one too. Well, we have to disappoint you and say that the short answer is no. Why bother to do something that is considered obsolete and unnecessary.
With time and experience, you will do board feet calculations using only your wit and even make pen and paper calculations unnecessary.
Online calculators are far more practical and time-saving since you can use them on your phone or tablet in your workshop or even on the lumberyard site if needed. We say, go with the times and be as pragmatic as you can.
Conclusion
So now that you have the knowledge to perform the measurements that will help you with the acquisition of raw materials you can focus on other important things. You save more resources and your financials start to improve noticeably. We guarantee that you will be surprised how much less you will be spending from here on out. When you also consider the ecological impact and how the benefits of your actions will add up to from now – gives a whole new perspective on sustainability.
Remembering that the forests are rapidly shrinking in size is a harrowing fact that already haunts us. If you can – plant that Christmas tree back into the woods instead of using or throwing it away.
And if you like this handy guide be sure to check out some of our other useful guides and pro tips for wood craftsmen alike!
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Kreg PRS1045 Precision Router Table System Review
Customer Rating
VERSATILE
PRECISION
PRICE
PROS
Exceptional versatility
Large usable working area
Offers lots of customization
Durable and high-quality build
Allows for high level of precision
Plenty of included accessories
CONS
Online manual is a must read
Needs more time setting up and adjusting
Considerably pricier than competition
Fit and finish could be better for this price
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Simply put, there are projects that demand you to perform more although often there is a time penalty when you have to switch places and gear too often. Getting a single router table that offers precision and versatility is rare and most of the time includes drawbacks that can at times be a true deal breaker. You can imagine our surprise during our time reviewing and using Kreg PRS1045 Precision Router Table System that promises that it is suitable for almost all tasks you might need completing.
While it may sound like the perfect router table for both professionals and DIY users is an improbability – we are glad we were proved wrong in this case! Finally, there is a complete system that saves you both time and space in the workshop. Our review is off to a good start so let’s go into more detail on exactly why this might be a great new addition for you.
Adapts to Your Requirements
Being a multi-purpose table is an achievement in itself seeing how we all need to shift position and swap places on our woodworking projects. When precision demands it no one should spare on their gear to cut corners and spend more time unnecessarily. The key to efficiency is to not spend most of your work on the move. The PRS1045 Table system promises to keep you in one spot with the only occasional movement for repositioning.
It is fully adjustable and we appreciate the fact that there was lots of thinking during the design process by the manufacturer about all possible usage scenarios. The thoughtful layout allows users to fit powerful saws and keeps vibration of the whole platform at low levels. This helps precision and also reduces fatigue, especially during long hour sessions.
THE DESIGN
As soon as you assemble the whole system you begin to appreciate the nice construction frame that feels sturdy and durable while not taking much space. It allows for lots of customization and allows its users to fit pre-made cabinets while still accepting the DIY ones that you might already have. The whole setup from the moment you take everything out of the box and read the manual takes less than a couple of hours since the instructions are very straightforward with easy to understand explanations.
The use of high-quality materials on connecting joints and working surfaces means that this system will last a lifetime for sure. The considerable weight and ruggedness allow customizations while keeping the room space as low as possible.
Moving around the working surface and pivoting is non restrictive and allows for lots of movement freedom. Because of the smart design, you will be able to fit big cabinets and dust storage space with ease. Anyone working in smaller size workshops will appreciate its compact size the most.
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The steel stand is fully adjustable and the whole system is also self-squaring which even beginners will learn to appreciate over time. With its 60 pounds of weight, it will stay in position and keep your working table in one place to allow for precision work. It is compatible with a vast majority of router tables on the market so in the end, it will all depend on how you want to customize your working bench.
THE FEATURES
Looking at it as a whole deal, there is a lot of kit that you get for a reasonable asking price if you ask us. The included work table measures 24” x 32” inches in size with a 1” thick MDF core. The work surface area uses a proprietary Easy-Slide layer which offers truly low levels of resistance. The insert plate measures ⅜” inches thick and 91/4” x 113/4” with three Level-Loc reducing rings and four precision insert plate levelers.
You also get a micro adjustment measuring scale, heavy-gauge steel stand that offers from 29” and up to 35” height setting and four leg levelers.
As for the table saws that you will be able to use on this table system – from our experience – we were using models with up to 3 hp without any issues. The platform is stable and secure and offers total precision no matter what you’re working on. The user manual is easy to understand which makes the whole set-up an easy experience and relatively fast at that. For more details be sure to consult the online manual too.
Things We Didn’t Like
We dislike the fact that the fit and finish of the whole system are lackluster at some places and it is disappointing to see that there are manufacturing mishaps on a relatively expensive product.
Experienced users will manage to correct some misalignments while DIY enthusiasts might possibly struggle to perform corrections. The higher complexity of the whole package will also appear daunting for beginners that might not need the whole system especially since there are more affordable alternative router table models available on the market.
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THE CONCLUSION
Kreg PRS1045 Precision Router Table System earns our recommendation with ease due to its exceptional value and versatility. You will be surprised the most by the fact that you will be able to use any type of power tool with an incredible amount of precision. While you might feel that you will be spending more on projects that are not as demanding – we suggest thinking long and hard about what happens when your current shop needs to grow.
As your skill improves you will need to invest more in your gear so why not do it all at once at a reasonable value.Whether you’re a pro or a beginner craftsmen we feel like you gain a lot with such a great all in one system.It will certainly be a perfect addition to any size of a workshop for sure.
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Bench Dog Tools 40-102 ProMax
Customer Rating
VERSATILE
PRECISION
PRICE
PROS
Great versatility
Large surface area
Well placed dust hole
Durable industry grade quality
Offers high level of precision
Affordable
CONS
Bad customer support
Needs some adjusting
Rotation constraints
Manufacturing precision could be better
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First Impressions
Woodworking projects require plenty use of different sets of tools so whether you’re a DIY type or professional craftsmen, having a versatile bench gives you freedom for the more creative projects. When you need to adapt your wood works it stands as a sign that you need an equally suitable toolset that will fulfill your project goals.
If you do not need to worry about compatibility or the need to change your tools and accessories then Bench Dog 40-102 is an option worth checking out. It represents a great value for its large work surface that can match your needs and is compatible with the most specialized power tools on the market.
Great Versatility
Its compatible with every 8-¼” x 11-¾” router table available on the market so chances are that if you already have a double steel rail support this model will fit right in. Being an industrial grade makes it a relatively heavy extension at around 30 pounds for its 18 x 29 x 4 inches size. The usable surface area measures 24 x 16 inches, which is more than satisfactory. There are two small bars that are in fact guides on the side of the fence and they can create a joiner on their ends.
Did we already mention that Bench Dog Tools 40-102 presents a great value for money overall package? You get a spacious and adaptable working surface that will allow you to work on even the most intricate details with great precision.
Keep in mind that as this is a fixed router – you will be somewhat limited to possible position changes and less movement freedom when doing work.
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Overall it is an easy and fast installation that makes for a hassle-free assembly as long as you read the included manual first. We also recommend consulting the online version too to find out the full and very in-detail spec sheet. This allows you to check the compatibility with your bench, your table saw and any extension that you already own. It took us about an hour to get it mounted and ready for tools. Add to that the time that you will require to connect all of your own gear and attachments.
THE FEATURES
By setting its focus on professional users, Bench Dogs Tools makes it easy to setup and attach any type of extension you may want to use. During our time with it, we successfully use almost all equipment in our shop except several specific contractor-grade models. Seeing how affordable 40-102 is – we won’t note this as a big downside. It is understandable that – at this price range – some cuts had to be made. We appreciate the fact that it comes with 25 holes although found that some of those do not align properly with our gear. This is easily solved with some tooling and a bit of patience.
The dust port works fine for us and because of its back position, it will require some adjustments to keep the router table surface clutter free. The miter feels heavy and sturdy and is compatible with most of the gauges.
That is if you don’t want to spend more on the optional one that is bought separately you can use your own. It will be great for more demanding projects and allow you to use up to 2 hp table saws without the rotational penalty of any kind. Vibrations and noise are at moderate levels due to the well-designed underside of the router.
Things we didn’t like
We found a few issues that somewhat limit this otherwise great router table however this can’t take away too many positive points from the otherwise impressive feature list. First of all, you can’t install nor rotate the left-sided table saw models that have a left tilting blade. Thankfully there are no screw holes and this will prevent wrong mounting and damage to the equipment.
We already pointed out misaligned mounting holes although that is an easy fix for almost anyone with tools at hand. In fact, for us, it even further added to the DIY enthusiast vibe that we get from this router table. While lifetime warranty sounds good on paper, you might encounter some issues with the bad overall customer services.
THE CONCLUSION
Whether you are a DIY guy or gal or an experienced craftsman we are certain that this might be a fine choice router table package. You get lots of value, plenty of versatility and features found in the more expensive price bracket. The large usable surface area adapts to requirements while taking little space in your shop. Since not all users need pro-grade equipment taking lots of room where space is a commodity this might fit the bill just fine.
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9 Ideas to Use Your Plunge Router Most Effectively
You can make anything with a pile of wood and a good quality plunge wood router. That is an excellent tool for both beginners and professionals. A variable speed ’’soft start’’ and a little less peak horsepower eliminate damaging the material before you begin cutting.
Many woodworkers say that this unit is like one of those TV remote controls that has a lot of functions and buttons. But, few of these people understand its full capabilities. That usually comes from users who have experience with the fixed-base routers.
But, if you start out with the plunge one, then you will become accustomed to it because they have a wide range of use. If you learn to operate it correctly, you can save yourself a lot of headaches and wasted wood. “One machine can do the work of 50 ordinary men. No machine can do the work of one extraordinary man.” Elbert Hubbard, author, and teacher.
Because of the fixed-base router, this versatile appliance gets pushed to the side too often. But, in this article, we will show you nine ideas to use the plunge one most effectively.
If you want to know more, all you have to do is read on.
1. Mortising
It is convenient for your small woodworking shop because it uses a highly versatile tool – wood router, produces great results and it is efficient. The results are top-notch, and the technique is easy to master. The best part is that the whole process takes just a few minutes.
The key is the easy-to-use and simple-to-build mortising jig. The working pieces of it consist of the two adjustable guides and an auxiliary baseplate. A hardboard that is placed along the workpiece includes this baseplate.
The heart of the jig are the guides that serve two purposes.
By allowing you to reference the cut off one edge, they are used to accurately and easily position the mortise in the workpiece.
To give you secure control of the unit as the mortise is being cut, the guides will sandwich the wood snugly.
That way you will be able to carve accurate mortises.
To begin, you will need the bit installed in your router and the jig in place. Lower the bit to the surface, when you position the jig on the workpiece and then reposition it so you can center it on the layout.
Snug and tighten down the guides up to the workpiece. Plunge the inside of the end line to begin the cut. Before routing forward rout back to the layout border. Clamp a stop block to the workpiece to end the cut right to the line. This technique will give you top-notch results.
2. Doweling
You need to make the same jig as for mortising. For versatile dowel setups create multiple tops with different spacing between the holes. When you set up this jig, as you have done for mortising, you can plunge the holes.
<blockquote>Repeat this action for the mating workpiece and compile the joint with the dowels and glue.</blockquote>
3. Stopped Flutes, Grooves, and Dadoes
For these field cuts, you can’t use a fixed base router because there is a chance to damage your project. But, with a plunge one, you can quickly get these tasks done.
Just use a clamp – on an edge or straightedge guide that is made by the unit’s manufacturer.
It will be almost flawless if you add stops at each end.
4. Circle Routing
Place your device on a trammel arm that circles one point. You can quickly cut out the workpiece from a more massive unfinished wood. The best part is that you can do this without using a saw.
5. Inlay
The best way to create tight-fitting inlays is to use a plunge router. You will eliminate the chance of veering off course by using templates with guide bushings or bearing-guided. Whether the inlay serves to patch a flaw in the wood or for decoration, with the store-bought kits, you can rout the recess.
6. Keyholes
If you want to hang something on the wall without using a wire or a hanger bracket you can make a slotted keyhole. It is the best option for you mainly because the shank and screw head slip into the slot and you won’t be able to see it. Some router bits are made explicitly for creating these keyhole slots in different sizes.
Choose the right one for the screw you will use. For larger projects, you can use two or three keyhole slots or one for a smaller one. Lay out your keyholes accordingly and drive the screws into wall studs.
The technique is the same for placing the keyholes on horizontal or vertical elements of your work. The next thing is to plunge into the back to the adjusted depth.
The rest is simple; rout about one inch or maybe two of the slot, turn off your unit and get back to the place where you plunged in before setting up the device.
7. Dual-Light Offset Subbase
LED lights and laser locators will be made this subbase perfect for a plunge router tasks. For lining up a plunge cut, use the crosshair lasers which are excellent for this job. With the LED light you will be able to see tasks that are hardly visible.
8. Dust Hoods
Dust hoods sometimes come as accessories, but some manufacturers include them with the appliances. With it, you will be able to dust and gobbling up chips when hooked to a shop vacuum.
9. Sign Making
That is a very simple task that requires two options. First, you need to draw the letters or sign onto your unfinished wood and after that rout freehand along all the lines.
For this project, you need to have a steady hand.
Conclusion
A plunge router is a powerful tool of the modern wood shop. We hope that this article helped you to discover more ideas on how to use this appliance more effectively.
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Bending Wood Techniques
As a woodworker, you spend a lot of time and effort in making great pieces of furniture, toys or some other stuff. The most of your tasks require making things straight, but some other projects will require different methods like bending wood. It is natural that you move on to advanced techniques as you widen the scope of your creativity and develop your skills.
“The feel and beauty of finely crafted wood…the refreshing smell of your workshop…the absorbing joy of cutting and joining that makes the hours race by… These are the reasons you love woodworking.” says Jack Neff, author of “Make Your Woodworking Pay for Itself”.
In this article, we will show you that there are several techniques for forming wood into curves. We will look at three methods such as microwave, kerf-cut, and steam bending. It will be easy for you to decide which one is best for the job you need to do after reading our article.
If you want to know more all you have to do is read on.
1. Microwave Bending
We must say that this microwave bending is the only modern woodworking technique that we will mention. As you probably know it is easier to manipulate with the thin and small piece of wood. Therefore, it’s a very easy process bending it with the use of this kitchen appliance.
For all purposes and intents, this technique is also a steam bending but in more manageable and much quicker way. When microwaving, to generate steam, you must wrap the piece of wood in a wet paper towel and put it in your kitchen device.
Set it on high.
The heating time will vary depending on the thickness and the size of the lumber you want to bend.
You also can experiment a little to find out what will work best for your project.
To understand the heating requirements, you will need some practice and to be very comfortable when using it.
It is best to start out with some easier projects that are not so important to you. Heat the lumber for 25 seconds and test to see how pliable it is at that time. If it is not enough, just repeat this action until you are satisfied with the results.
2. Kerf-Cut Bending
Kerf-cut bending is a technique for flexibility that is geometric and simple. It can become increasingly malleable as selective portions are removed, as long as the material can maintain its internal structure.
‘’Kerfing is in simple terms the act of cutting a series of kerfs (cuts) in a piece of wood nearby, so it can be curved. It is important not to make the cuts too deep, resulting in the lumber cracking entirely through, or not deep enough so instead of bending, it snaps. The wood needs to be cut to the point that the remaining fibers are free to flex.
You can only kerf by crosscutting- you cannot kerf with the grain as the likelihood of the workpiece splitting is huge. This doesn’t have to be solid stock either – you can kerf whole sheets and bend entire panels. However, it is very dependent on the type of wood, the moisture content, the relative humidity, the width of the blade, etc.’’ according to The West Virginia Blogger.
3. Steam Bending
It is the easiest and most popular way to bend wood. Depending on the thickness of it, steam bending can be a lengthy process. On average, for every inch of thickness in one piece, it will take you one hour of steaming.
Make sure to wear leather builders’ gloves, because the steam is hot. So, be careful not to hurt yourself while doing on your project.
According to Learn Steam Bending, this is the equipment you will need to use for this woodworking method:
“A steam-maker. Any way of boiling water and venting/piping the steam into a steam chamber. A $20 electric ‘wall paper stripper’ is very convenient, but you will also find many other good solutions. You can also boil or microwave the wood if possible/practical with great success.
Steam chambers. Really anything to contain the steam which you can get the lumber into.
Plastic pipes are great (be aware PVC gets soft when hot), plywood boxes are good, we make boxes of 50mm foam lined with thick polyethylene as they can be any size and very well insulated as we sometimes work outside.
Lids, racking, faceplates, venting pipes, etc. can all be added if desired.
Jigs. A ‘jig’ is a generic term for a tool made for a particular purpose, and for steam-bending, these are almost always home-made. If you are starting out, for a ‘bending form’ (a jig to bend around) find something solid with a radius similar to what you want (a spare wheel, stone pillar, lamppost!) or cut the shape (-15% of the final desired radius) from plywood.
Clamps. These are normally ‘G-Clamps. If you are starting out, I recommend buying at least one decent square threaded G-clamp such as by Bessy and other cheaper ones for holding the wood in place. As you make ‘jigs,’ you may start to use wedges to clamp the lumber which is very fast, effective and cheap.
Compression Strap. Only needed for tighter bends or thicker wood. This is normally a piece of >1mm thick steel secured to the ends of the hot lumber, on the outside of the bend. As wood will break (snap) in tension before (kinking) in compression, a compression strap which does not allow the lumber fibers to stretch at all enables bends to be much tighter.”
Conclusion
As you already read, there are three bending methods that you need to learn to develop your skills. As you widen the scope of your creativity you will move on to these advanced procedures and with some practice become better at it. We hope that our article helped you to learn more about these techniques and to decide which is the best one for you and your projects.
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How to Start a Small Woodworking Business From Home
To start a small woodworking business at home is both rewarding and challenging, especially if it is a one-person job. It is not just about making wooden objects; it also requires planning and research in business management and marketing. We must say it is a great way to turn your hobby into a money-making venture.
What’s the bottom line?
First, you need to decide how you want to run it; you can take orders from customers, or you can make your original models and sell them. The next step is to determine how will you sell these things. There are several ways to do that such as through your shop or online, garden and home stores or trade shows.
Here’s the deal:
It is crucial to decide in advance so you can create marketing materials and make contacts needed. Get permits and licenses as required by county or city. The last and most important thing is to set up your shop.
If you are interested in starting a woodworking business from home, we will show you how to do that in this guide. Follow these easy steps, and you will learn how to do that even if you don’t have experience and with little money.
Without further ado, let’s dive in.
1. Make a Plan
“A good plan is like a road map: it shows the final destination and usually the best way to get there.” says H. Stanely Judd, the author of ”, Think Rich’’.
Before you get started, you need to make a plan on how you want to run your firm. The best thing is to create a list that contains every little detail of your shop that you will need from the beginning.
For example, goals you want to achieve in the next two years; how you intend to market your products; where you will purchase a large quantity of wood; what tools you will need.
It is very helpful in deciding what to expect, what will require this business, how to avoid some expensive errors, and how would you like to start.Most successful people claim that they had a business plan before they get started. Therefore we suggest to take your time and make a strategy.
2. Start a One-Person Business
It is proved that this business model is successful for most woodworkers because it’s easiest to run, establish and manage. Bear in mind that this is also hard work. You will operate in several capacities such as being accountant, admin, sales person and craftsman.
Starting this kind of business model is recommended and most common way. It has many advantages, and it is easy to set up.
3. List of Niche Ideas
The woodworking products that you can create give you a lot of choices because it is a very wide area. To start with precision, clarity and to maintain a better focus it’s best for you to decide which category of wood objects you are going to make. There are two main things that you need to consider.
The first one is to look at the market supply and demand. And the other one is to look at your skill set. That is the best way to decide what product you are going to cater.
For example, making wooden wine and beer shelves, basket weaving, jewelry box, device stand, hardwood chopsticks, candle holder, craft supplies, carpentry, cardholder, chip carving, cabinet making.
4. What is better: Buying a Franchise or Starting From Scratch
These ownership strategies both have their drawbacks and benefits. If that is the first time you own business, it makes sense that you buy a franchise then to build a new one. That is because these existing woodworking firms already have required equipment.
But, bear in mind that it is essential to find a company that closely matches your professional objectives and ownership philosophy. Franchising makes everything easier, but it is not a recipe for guaranteed success. So, you need to be careful what are you looking for and plan.
5. Legal Documents
When opening a firm, you need a business license. Depending on whom and where you sell, you may need several permits. To find out what documents you need, check with your city or county business license office.
6. Technical Requirements
Woodworkers use all types of machines when creating different pieces of furniture, toys or some other objects.
For example, wood fastening devices, planers, sanders, high-quality routers, shapers, lathes, drill presses, milling machines, and saws. To verify the dimension, they use rule, caliper, and template.
To connect the parts, carpenters add adhesives and fasteners to form a product. For doing the right job, they place specialty products for stone, electrical components, metal trims and glass and set up hardware such as drawer slides and pulls. After that, workers use machines to sand and finally coat their wood objects with a varnish or lacquer.
7. Marketing Strategy
The most important thing when starting a business is to convince your costumers to purchase your product for a reasonable price. For that, you will need a good marketing plan. E-newsletter, social media marketing, and a business website will have a huge payoff for your new job.
You need to value and understand the importance of the internet. Always make a portfolio because nothing can replace a good picture of a project you are going to make. You can also make one and place it on your firm website so that other users can see what products you can make.
8. Boost your Brand
To boost your brand, you need to be active on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and other social media networks. Share your stories about work problems you are facing and how you are solving them. For the types of artwork or crafts you are selling such as stained glass, knitting, woodworking create Google Alerts.
Conclusion
Starting a small woodworking business from home is an exciting journey. Follow these easy steps and learn new interesting things that will help you get successful.
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10 Easy DIY Woodworking Projects for Every Skill Level
Have you ever wanted to do some incredible woodworking project? Maybe you have seen a fantastic piece of furniture that you couldn’t afford and wondered if you could make it yourself. Well, let us tell you that everything is possible if you have some required tools and a will.
‘’Woodworking matters. It’s more than a pastime or hobby—being a woodworker means that you know the satisfaction and pride that comes from using your hands and mind to build beautiful, functional objects and that you’re as interested in the process as the outcome. Amid the speed and chaos of the modern world, woodworking gives us a place where we can slow down, pay attention, and take the time to do things right.’’ according to Aimé Ontario Fraser, author of the ‘’Your First Workshop: A Practical Guide to What You Really Need’’.
In this article, we will show you ten easy woodworking projects that anyone can do! It is less complicated than you might think and it will help you create some excellent wood pieces. So, grab some nails, pick up your hammer and let’s get down to business.
Keep reading to know more.
1. Wood Wagon
The wood wagon is the best present you can give to your child. It is nearly impossible to wear it out and doesn’t run on the batteries. We all used it when we were kids and loved it. Every child will cherish this handmade present that was built with love.
For this project, you will need corrosion resistant screws, circular saw, drill, pliers, scale, and NT cutter.
Fist you need to make the wagon box parts and attach them with the wood glue.
Then create the battens, back, and side rails. Add a running gear to it and attach the wheels and handle.
2. Backyard Lounger
This project will take you a couple of hours. You will need two 1 x 10 x 10 inches boards of cedar, cordless drill, 48 1 ½ inches exterior grade wood, bar clamps, rafter square and circular saw. First, you need to cut out the parts, build the subassemblies, so that you could create this fantastic chair.
Trim off the back outer corners of the armrests to finish it.
3. Chess and Checkerboard
One of the most challenging games can be created just in a few steps. It is a simple task that will take you only a few hours. The tools you are going to use: framing square, orbital sander, wood glue, bar clamps, dark and light wood, and table saw.
Cut eight strips of wood, make sure that it is 4 of each wood color. The next step is to attach them with the glue. When it is dried, again cut out the strips, but this time do it vertically. Glue them, sand the board, and add a border.
4. Toolbox
It is an excellent option for those who don’t know where to keep their tools. The tools required for this project: wood glue, stainless-steel wood screws, pocket screws, a sheet of plywood, router table, countersink drill bit, pocket-hole jig, cordless drill, jigsaw, miter saw and table saw. Just cut off the parts to size, and glue the joints before you use screws.
The final step is the handle for which you will need to laminate two pieces of plywood.
5. Workbench
This task might look a little bit difficult, but it is not impossible even for the beginners. Every woodwork project begins with the cutting the pieces of wood. Examine each side of the parts and if there is a bump in the area where they overlap use a block plane to remove it.
For the rest of the project you will need wood glue, rafter square, cauls, router, cabinet-scraper, stop block, sandpaper, miter saw, table saw.
6. Wood Box
It is a simple project that everyone can do. The tools you are going to need for this task: wood glue, table saw, miter gauge, dado stack, router, chisel, 24 inches clamps. It may take you some time, but it is crucial to be very precise when you are making one.
As for the materials, it is best to use: two box end pieces, two side pieces, one box bottom, jig fence and jig key solid wood.
7. Sawhorses
One pair of sawhorses is something that every workshop needs. You can use it as support for painting a door, holding the lumber or just put the plywood on it and it will become a table. It will take only a few hours to build this, but it will last for years.
The required tools: miter saw, screws, nails, measuring tape, drill, and a pencil. The best thing is that you can always replace the top if it gets damaged or cut-up.
8. Wooden Sofa Sleeve
This woodworking project is fascinating and easy to build. The important thing is to customize the size of the wood for your chair or sofa. The tools you will need for the job: power drill, pencil, tape measure, hole saw in diameter of your choice, and clamps.
Determine the size of the top piece of wood, the side pieces of your sofa sleeve and plywood piece.
9. Table
Making a table for your home is interesting and can be a lot of fun. You will need some time to finish this job, but it’s worth it.
As for the tools for this task, use four lumbers, one cabinet-grade plywood, hardwood stock for edging, wood glue, wood screws, wood plugs, and nails.
10. Wood Plank Wine Rack
A perfect place to put your favorite wine. It is a simple job, and it doesn’t take much time. The first step is to cut the plank and mark the holes so you can drill them precisely.
After that, smooth rough edges and paint the shelf.
Conclusion
In this article, you will find tasks that are easy to complete and looks incredible. We hope that it will help you to find and build your next woodworking project.
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Bosch 1617evspk Review
Customer Rating
VERSATILE
PRECISION
PRICE
PROS
This wood router includes powerful engine which has the variable speed ranges.
Both plunge and the fixed base includes micro-fine depth adjustments.
The plunge lock lever will ensure that the results are accurate and precise.
For the comfort and proper control, the router includes contoured grip handles.
It consists of two bases – the fixed and the plunge one.
The rugged design increases the durability of the router.
The Constant Response Circuitry will maintain the wanted RPM for consistent action.
It also includes electronic speed control which will keep it under load, work light and removable chip shield.
CONS
It doesn’t have a template adapter guide.
To change the bit, it needs two different wrenches.
Because of its various components, it is quite bulky.
Dust will build up in the switch quickly which leads to malfunction.
The c-ring is loose and eventually will fail or break, and the screw is weak.
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First Impressions
After many hours of researching the different heavy-duty router models, we found out that the Bosch 1617evpsk is one of the bestselling appliances. Although it is a midsize range machine, it can perform any job that is demanded of it by the user. It is durable and technically capable.
But, that is not all.
Besides its accuracy, power, and durability it has some other highly sophisticated features such as soft, variable speed control, precision bases, and a powerful motor. With the 8000 to 25000 RPM combined with 2,25HP/12 Amp, you can deal with all your routing projects including the toughest one.
Keep reading and learn about all the benefits this device has.
Dimensions:
Height: 6.2 x 19.5 x 14.5 inches
Weight: 19.5 pounds
1. Soft start/ Horsepower
A soft start component is an appliance that works on an AC electric engine that plays the crucial role of reducing power load when starting up and preventing electrical current surges. Bosch patents consistent response circuit monitors and maintain the speed providing overload protection and a continual work. Also, this feature reduces the torque on the engine.
Because its performance is constant, it decreases the chance of sudden increases or slowdowns in speed during some working project. With this benefit, you will create better cuts.
The next thing you should check before buying a router is the horsepower rating. It has 2,25 HP motor that is secured and placed in durable aluminum housing. Even with its power, it will not cause woodworker fatigue while using the plunge base and it will fit any shop.
Any professional user or intermediate wood crafter will appreciate its durability and power. The great thing about this machine is that it can handle any heavy-duty project.
2. Variable Speed
The wood router comes with the changing speed dial. When you roll your finger over the dial, you can adjust the right speed for your job. It has 6-speed settings and RPM (rotation per minute) ranges from 8000 to 25000.
For the first three levels, it will give you a rotation per minute range of 8000 to 16500. You can use it with nonferrous metals, large diameter cutters, and bits. The next three levels will give you a range of 20000 to 25000 that can be utilized with little diameter cutter and bits on laminates, plastics, and softwood.
The higher speed setting can be used to handle smaller bits while the lower level can be paired up with a larger diameter.
The consistent response circuitry helps to adjust and monitors capacity to keep the wanted RPM for regular action. This router also includes electronic speed regulation that will retain it under load. It will prevent overheating and reduce twisting when starting up.
3. Fixed vs. Bases Plunge
The great thing about this wood router is that it comes with both plunge and fixed base. It is very easy to move the engine between them because of the quick clamp system. There are soft grip handles on each side of the plunge base for easier operation and depth stop turret and rod for cutting depth control.
Both bases include Centering Precision Design. This feature allows to position the router bit with the template guides, which is sold separately, or the sub base. Using the guidance appliances such as dovetail fixtures, templates or jigs, you will keep the bit on the right cutting line.
The fixed one has threaded holes and ergonomic handles for set up to a table. You can regulate the bit altitude from above to a router desk with the improved bit height regulation scheme.
Although it has a locking mechanism on fixed and plunge base, its centering precision has a small problem when wobbling side by side. It can be difficult to control it during the working process, so it’s maybe not wise to use it for fine, high-end projects.
4. Bit Shank and Collet Size
The sleeve that is made from steel keeps in the appliance its bit, and it is called collet. The shaft which is attached to the engine works with the collet. The great thing about this midsize wood router is that it can use a ½ and ¼ inches collet.
It will give you wider bits sizes range and allow you to handle larger, that are constructed to make dovetails and rabbiting joints. And you won’t have a problem like overheating motor or any kickback. With the bit height regulate the system, it will be easier to lower and raise the bit heights.
5. Cutting depth (Tool vs. Wrench free)
The next thing to examine when buying a high-quality wood router is the depth of the cutting. The both bases have adjustment system that allows fast and accurate cutting. It includes both micro and coarse bit depth regulation.
With three different settings fixed base provides precise control for the unmatched accuracy of a router bit location. The coarse control is the first one that has 3 notches on each housing side. With the ½ inches of distance between them, you can just depress the coarse regulation release mechanism and quickly raise or lower the router depth.
The other base also has a control system that will allow you to regulate the bits’ depth for a better accuracy. However, there were some problems with it. For example, the c-ring will break or fail, and the screw is weak which means that adjusting system is poor.
But, you can replace them to fix the problem. Also, one more issue is that the bases release clamps are too close which can cause damage to the engine.
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6. Some Additional Features
The Bosch 1617evspk wood router has an adapter that holds the ring that is spring-loaded. It has a switch that will prevent dust to build up and cause a breakdown in the middle of the working process. For the easier use, it can be moved to the left or right location.
The router engine housing features an exclusive design that will allow the woodworker to position the router bit together with the template guides or the sub-base. It is constructed from aluminum and has air vents on the top. When using these guides like dovetail fixtures, templates or jigs it will be much easier to hold the bit on the precise line.
To provide simpler and quicker switches between the bases, the wood router uses a base clamp mechanism. The great base opening can provide better visibility and larger bits while working with the tool.
To regulate bit level from above the desk, a fixed base features advanced height regulation system. And it also includes the deflector that will keep chips and dust out of the users’ face.
It has a protection service plan and a warranty of one year.
Can this wood router make a circle?
Yes, you can make circles, but you must buy ring and template cutting jigs.
7. Different Accessories
You can buy separately some different accessories which are used with this router model. For example, The Guide Adapter, 8 mm and 3/8 inches Chuck Collet, or the RA1173AT Dust Extraction Kit.
How to Use It?
To assemble and use it follow the manual. On a piece of wood cut a circle over radius with the fixed base. Depending on the load apply the feed rates and adjust the bit to your preferred range.
It also applies to the plunge base. To make T-slots use the clamp-on guide fence and to make different cuts on the wood use templates guides.
What Makes This Wood Router Easy To Use?
Bosch Centering Precision Design: It allows the router bit to be centered with the free template guides, which is sold separately, or the sub-base and ensuring the accurate and precise cuts.
Easier and quicker changes between the bases with the clamp lever.
Fixed and plunge base comes with the ergonomic handles for easier operations.
Minor Repair and Maintenance
To prevent dust from building up into the switch find a cover for that area. Try to clean the wood router after you use it and let it dry completely before next project. It would be wise to return the components to their casings to prevent any damage.
Some of the users are complaining about the c-ring is loose, and that will fail or break after some time and that the screw is weak. The only thing you can do about this issue is to replace them and you will solve the problem.
Also, one more issue is that release clamps on the bases are too close which can cause scratches on the engine. If you have some complex problem, you should call repair technician and use your warranty. Or you could also call the support or use a manual to try to fix the issue by yourself.
Price
The Bosch 1617evspk router kit can be found for a very reasonable and affordable price. It includes soft drop-forged wrenches, both bases and a ¼ and ½ inches collets. You can get it for an incredible amount.
However, the free template guides and some different accessories are sold separately, such as The RA1126 Quick Change Template Guide Adapter, a 3/8 inches Collet Chuck and 8 mm Collet Chuck.
Ratings
This router model has an average grade on the others tools sites. After many hours of researching and testing it, we gave this appliance a 4.1/5 for performance rating because of its durability and reliable construction. With its powerful motor and speed control, it can handle a heavy work.
For its Value rating, we gave it also 4.1/5. With the fixed and plunge bases, you can work on a huge variety of designs and workpieces. We recommend it for intermediate and advanced woodworkers but not for complete beginners.
Conclusion
This wood router is an excellent choice if you are planning to do some heavy-duty projects. You will get a powerful motor, a plunge and fixed base with some few additional features. It is ideal for advanced and intermediate wood crafter because it can perform most of the heavier woodworking jobs.
The great thing about this machine is that you can make a lot of adjustments. This device is thoroughly designed to face the test of time.
You will find that this router has everything you might require for a tougher operation.
Each of its parts is made of aluminum which makes it stronger and durable. With its powerful engine, advanced technology that can control speed, and precision bases you will make art. Woodworking requires creative mind as well as knowledge of the process.
However, you must have the high-quality equipment to materialize your creative thinking. Your skills are the most important thing when it comes to woodworking, but this knowledge requires an excellent tool.
It maybe is an essential appliance, but it is also the most crucial. So, look for a very good quality tool with the powerful engine that has enough horsepower. This device can perform any wood project in the house or workshop, and it is perfect for professionals.
It manages to provide many benefits which outstrip some of the product flaws.
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Woodworking Equipment for Guitar Building
Woodworking equipment will save your money and make your job less intensive. The right tools will save you sweat and time. The final fitting and sizing should be done by hand, but to perform some heavy tasks you need to use good quality machines.
For guitar building, we think that it’s essential to have these two pieces of equipment, a drill press, and a band saw. But, if you are a professional luthier, having more woodworking tools is necessary. Those joiners and planers will save you money and time.
“If ever there’s an obscene noise to be made on an instrument, it’s going to come out of a guitar…Let’s be realistic about this; the guitar can be the single most blasphemous device on the face of the earth. That’s why I like it… The disgusting stink of a too-loud electric guitar: now that’s my idea of a good time.” said Frank Zappa in The Guitar Hand Book.
In this article, we will show you what equipment you will need for a guitar building. So, without further ado, let’s dive in.
The Bandsaw
This piece of equipment is versatile, meaning that it will perform any number of jobs for you such as joinery, re-sawing or cutting out shapes. Since the wood we use in a guitar building is small, you can use any 14 inches bandsaw which typically comes with the one HP.
It can re-saw up to five inches in width. But, if you want to cut more extensive wood you will need power, like three HP. Cutting twelve inches wide stock with won’t be a problem if you use the right blade and a three HP bandsaw.
Drill Press
Standing drill press is a highly recommended piece of equipment for guitar making. Its height adjustment, stroke length, throat depth is necessary at times. We know it is a little expensive but think about the benefits you are getting, and time you will save with it.
If you want to drill near the work board center, for this kind of task you need to use a throat depth of at least eight inches. So, a sixteen or seventeen inches model will be perfectly fine for this woodworking project. After all, you can use it for some other task.
The great thing about this tool is its versatility. You can also use it on metal. As a relatively inexpensive, this appliance is one of the best investment you will make and it will last for a long time.
‘’A tool is but the extension of a man’s hand, and a machine is but a complex tool. And he that invents the machine augments the power of a man and the well-being of mankind.’’ said Henry Ward Beecher in “Earthly Immortality.”
The Table Saw
The high-quality table saw is a must-have piece of equipment for any woodworker. Whether you are building your guitar or do some other projects, this tool will help you through many steps of the task. It is excellent for repetitive cutting and some types of joinery.
We must say that a table saw is a great appliance if you want to cut five pieces to five inches out of one large slab of wood. When you are buying this tool, make sure to get a high-quality one. Especially if you are doing some other woodworking projects, then a good table saw will be the best investment you ever had.
Make sure that this model has an adjustment capability and an excellent adjustable fence. That will help you when guitar making. For a safer and easier cross-cutting, it is the best to use a cross-cut sled.
Planners and Joiners
These machines will come in handy if you are mill sides and backs of a rough-cut lumber. You can find many different models and types on the market.
If the wood is more than 3 feet long, and you want to put a straight edge on it, all you need is a joiner. Before placing the piece of wood through the planner, you can also use a joiner to flat the one side of a board. When you are using the cut lumber that is rough, both sides will be far from smooth, and they will have a bump.
So, to avoid these issues, flat the faces with the joiner. For this kind of a job, you will need to use an eight inches model.
Wider machines will come in handy for the rough-cut wood since they are a minimum of twelve inches wide. Although they are expensive if you don’t use a small lumber you need to have this tool. On the market, you will find many models and types.
A twelve inches model planner is a great option when you want to thickness the guitars’ brace or neck. Although it is a little bit noisy, this tool will be a great addition to your woodworking equipment. Use hearing protection while working with this appliance.
A helical cutting blade with the 96 blades is easy to maintain and also very quiet. The great thing about it is that some of the blades have four cutting edges and others two. They are expensive, but with so many benefits it will undoubtedly pay off.
Drum Sanders
If you want to make more than one guitar, then you should consider buying a drum sander. You can thick sides, backs, and tops with this tool. On the market, you will find two types of this appliance, closed and open-ended.
Oscillating Spindle Sander
Well, this piece of equipment isn’t necessary, but you will love it. This machine will work best when you want to smooth out the curve. It is an excellent addition to your tool collection mainly because you can use them for almost every woodworking job.
Conclusion
If you want to make your guitar, you will need tools from our list. We hope that this article will help you determine which woodworking tool will work best for you.
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Skil ras900 Router Table Review
Customer Rating
VERSATILE
PRECISION
PRICE
PROS
Compact
Affordable
Durable
Precise
Wide work surface
CONS
Bad customer support
Tends to come with defect parts
The top plate is laminate instead of aluminum (or any metal)
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Every experienced woodcutter knows the importance of having reliable and efficient tools in their workshop. Without proper tools, you’ll be stuck providing mediocre products to your customers. But why should you want this for your business? Why should you be contempt with acceptable quality when you can create stunning, premium quality, incredibly designed wood products?
If you’re a fan of premium quality woodworking products, then we have a perfect router table for you. Skil RAS900 router table will satisfy all your woodworking needs. The only thing that’s left for you to do is to learn its specs and details. So without further ado, let’s see what this router table has to offer regarding versatility, mobility, durability, and efficiency.
EXTRA SMOOTH LAMINATED TOP
With its extremely smooth 21 x16.5 inch laminated top, you won’t have any friction while working with robust wood pieces. You’ll have enough space to perform cuts and place the wood piece on which you’re performing as it provides more than enough space. Some types of wood have extremely grainy and coarse surface.
Operating with these types of wood can prove to be challenging even to most experienced woodworkers. But you won’t have to worry about those problems with this router. It features an extremely smooth top that makes every type of wood slide over it with almost no friction at all. You’ll find that working with Skil RAS900 router table makes your mundane, everyday woodcutting tasks are surprisingly easy to perform. This means that you’ll use less time in your workshop and achieve more. Less time for more results, that’s what using Skil RAS900 Router Table will provide.
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ACCURATE GUIDING FEATHERBOARDS
Every router table is equipped with featherboards. They come in different sizes and shapes. One particular design of featherboards is becoming increasingly popular, mostly due to the fact that they provide increased stability when cutting and also guarantee safety while performing risky cuts. This particular model comes with not one but two featherboards.
Next to the fact that they increase stability when performing delicate cuts, they also have other uses. By using featherboards on this model, you’ll have no trouble performing even the most delicate cuts. As a woodworker, you’re probably aware how important it is to pay attention to measurement, cuts, and finalization of your product. This is exactly why Skil Ras900 was designed to provide maximum stability, precision, and accuracy in performing cuts to its users.
SIDE DUST PORT
While woodworking, especially when working on important projects, you don’t really want to stop just to clean all of the sawdust. On the other hand, you’re aware that increased amounts of sawdust and debris only increase the chances of router malfunction. Most router models require constant maintenance exactly because they lack sawdust disposal system such as this one. This is why Skil Ras900 router table is equipped with a fairly large sawdust compartment. But that’s not all; it features as side port that allows sawdust that you generate on the router top to slide directly towards the dustbin.
This will surely save you some time and trouble of cleaning after every cut that you perform. Being that each type of wood reacts differently, you can’t know exactly how much sawdust it will generate after you’ve operated on it. With this neat feature, you won’t even have to think about it. The only thing left for you to do is to empty the sawdust container after you’ve finished using your router.
FOLDABLE DESIGN
Another feature of using Skil Ras900 router table is its versatility. Once you’ve bought a router table, you’ll probably place it in your workshop without planning to move it for a long time, right? This model’s smart design allows you to transport it from one place to another with ease. Due to its foldable design, you can easily transport it anywhere you want.
Don’t want to use it during summer or any other period of the year? Because it can decrease half in size, you can store it virtually anywhere as it takes considerably less space once folded. Due to its size and shape, you might think that operating with a plunge router will make this folding process impossible, right? Well not if you know how to use a plunge router and store it correctly.
EASY ACCESSIBLE STORE BOXES
Anyone who’s in woodworking business long enough will notice the importance of having the right tools for the job. Furthermore, once you start working as a carpenter, you’ll want to keep essential tools next to you. This router model allows you to have all of your quintessential tools at the grasp of your hand. This neat feature provides easy access to some of the most crucial woodworking related tools. With its easily accessible toolbox as a part of its design, you’ll never have to move away from your router table once you start cutting.
Every tool that you need for the task at hand will be stored in the toolbox right next to you. This is why this model is, to this day, one of the best router table models. So if you’re tired of pausing your woodworking session, only because your toolbox is on the other side of the workshop, you can solve your problems by buying Skil Ras900. Some of the most professional woodworking companies recommend this particular model for small as well as large enterprises.
THE CONCLUSION
We’ve mentioned some of the most important features that this model has. Due to its mobility, precision, stability, as well as affordability Skil Ras900 remains one of the best router tables on the market. It’s easy to use, its featherboards provide maximum stability and precision, and you won’t even have to think about sawdust and debris as it features a perfectly functioning sawdust disposal system. If you haven’t found a decent, reliable router table yet, you should definitely try using this model as it is indeed one of the best router tables out there.
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Dewalt Dwp611pk Compact Router Review
Customer Rating
VERSATILE
PRECISION
PRICE
PROS
The LED lighting provides excellent visibility for any project and work surface.
Soft start feature will help in the maintenance of the speed and lower the stress on the motor.
This wood router is significantly lightweight and compact.
Due to its powerful settings and features, it can handle each hard and soft wood.
With the rubber handles that provides a non-slip grip, it is easy to move it and to generate the accurate results.
During trimming it is relatively quiet.
The clamping mechanism and depth ring ensure that the motor is locked in position.
The changing bits process is quite easy.
The router includes a precise marker and a clear sub-base.
CONS
You must purchase an edge metal guide separately.
Its ¼ inch cullet limits your work.
The router operates on the cord, which will limit your job area.
The fixed base includes only a palm grip, which is hard to handle. Only the plunge one has side handles.
The fixed base doesn’t take bushings. (only the round one)
In case of maintenance and repairs, reaching the cullet nut sometimes can be difficult.
It did not come with the sturdy molded case for transport and storage.
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After our extensive search of the various wood route models, we learned that the best-selling one is the DeWalt DWP611. It combines convenience and power that makes it ideal for both professional work shop and home wood worker. The high performance makes it equally suitable whether you are a beginner, intermediate or advanced user.
Want to know the best part?
This high-quality router comes with the innovations designs and ergonomic features that are improving overall performance, control and visibility. It comes with plunge and fixed base as a combo kit. You can find it on the market for the affordable price.
If you want to know more all you have to do is read on.
DIMENSIONS:
Height: 18,9’’ x 10’’ x 6,8’’
Weight: Fixed base – 4,1 lbs. Plunge base – 6,2 lbs.
1. SOFT START/HORSEPOWER
When you are buying a router, you need to check some of its features first. You will agree with us when we say that the most important thing to look for is the motor horsepower ratings. As one of the smallest wood routers on the market, the DeWalt DWP611pk includes a 1,25 peak HP motor.
It delivers great power and generates high torque. This tool is compatible for heavy duty designs, but it’s best to stick with the lighter ones. Even though it’s a small size router, it has a lot of torque and power making it perfect for small tasks around the shop or house.
The soft start feature helps in keeping check on motor torque. It will temporarily decrease the electrical surge on the engine, and the load on the power train due to startup. We must say that this component is an excellent feature which helps to lower the stress on the motor.
2. VARIABLE SPEED
This wood router includes a changing speed feature that goes from one to six steps and range of 16000 to 27000 RPM. With it, you can set the ideal speed for the project you have. All you have to do is turn the variable dial that will allow you to determine the speed.
This great feature will minimize the startup twisting and avoid burning. If you set it between one and three, you can use it for larger diameter cutter and bits. You will have a range of 16000 to 20400 RPM.
For smaller diameter cutters and bits on laminates, plastics, or softwoods, it is the best to set the speed between four and six that will have a range of 22600 to 27000 RPM. Each regulation will give you about twenty to hundred RPM bump in speed. It will give you a large range of material and bit sizes that this small tool can handle.
We conclude that it is excellent for some smaller construction jobs or for a hobby. That depends on your personal preferences.
3. FIXED VS. PLUNGED BASE
As we mentioned before, with the DeWalt wood router you will get the fixed and the plunge base. The fixed one includes a 360-micro adjustment ring and a locking lever to achieve the perfect depth of cuts anytime you use it. It works on a simple principle where ring raises the wood device up and down.
It is the best to use this base for edging and trimming.
As for the plunge one, it allows you to handle the 90 percent of the projects you are doing around the shop or your house. The primary requirement is that it needs to plunge evenly without hanging up when moving down and up. It will produce perfect cuts when you reduce the cutter into the part and out again.
So, we can say that the plunge action lever is easy to use and exceptionally smooth.
On the right side of the router, there is a 5-adjustable turret that will allow you to make a ¼ inch step down every time you want to regulate the depth and turn the dial. There is also a reference needle on the same side that is adjustable. You will easily control the router with the rubber handles.
It will also be easy to move it between the bases.
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4. BIT SHANK AND COLLET SIZE
As you probably already know, the collet is the steel sleeve that keeps in the wood router its bit. It is tightened down with its nut and works with the device’s shaft which is attached to the motor. When you are choosing the right router, it’s important to check out the bit shank size.
Its most typical dimensions are ½ and ¼ inches. When you are purchasing the DeWalt DWP611, make sure to get a smaller size collet because it’s not made for heavy duty job that requires full cutters.
5. WOULD ROUTER – CUTTING DEPTH
When choosing a good quality router, the next thing to look at is its cutting depth. With the adjustment ring, you can manage router bit depth changes to within 1/64 inches. Also, it has an extended eight slot collet, making it easier to loosen and tighten up the bits.
You have up to 2 inches travel depth with the plunge base and 1.5 inches with the standard one. It will make a secure and smooth operation every time you use it. Its low pressure, large spindle lock switch, which provides single wrench changes, is responsible for achieving these adjustments.
The clamping mechanism and depth ring united in the machine ensures that the motor is locked in the position. The router or combo kit includes the hex wrench for its bit changes. The great thing about this router is that allows you easy access to the button which changes bits.
6. SOME ADDITIONAL FEATURES
With the D-shape base, this router has increased visibility and improved stability during any radius or edging cut. Also, on both sides, it has a spring-loaded quick release tab that allows easy and fast base removal.
Its base construction and aluminum lightweight motor provide durability. The rubbery, flexible power button includes a plastic lid that protects it from the wood and dust pieces. This way, you will avoid motor failure and premature switch.
To help you find the next marked area or to make cutting easier the router includes two LED lights. They are placed on the bottom.
We concluded that this router is very powerful, so you need to use it with some limits. Some of the projects that router can handle are hinge and hardware installation, finish-carpentry tasks and radius cuts, trimming and dadoes. With its long cord (8 foot, 120 Volt, 18 gauge) that includes three prong plugs it will allow enough length to use it on the work site or around the shop.
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You can hold the pieces of the router in a nylon bag or any other accessories that you have or bought such as guides or bits.
The next thing that is worth mentioning is a three-year limited warranty so you can repair any break downs or mistakes due to faulty craft or materials. And that is not all; their gadgets are also covered with one-year insurance meaning that they will fix any broken piece caused by regular use, free of charge.
You must be wondering can this wood router make a circle?
Well, the answer is yes, you can make circles with the cutting jig. But, you should know that it is sold separately.
7. DIFFERENT ACCESSORIES
After some research, we found that you can buy separately some accessories that go with this model. For example, DNP615 Dust Collection Adapter for a Fixed Base Routers, the DNP616 Dust Collection Adapter for a Plunge Base and the DNP618 Edge Guide for Fixed Base Compact Routers.
HOW TO USE IT?
When you purchase this wood router, you should read the manual carefully. We concluded that it is not ideal for heavy jobs such as excavating mortise on the hardwood or making miles on molding. However, you can manage most routing jobs using this combo kit.
The important thing when determining whether to use the plunge or the fixed base for your trimming is to identify the particular type of task.
WHAT MAKES THIS TOOL EASY TO USE?
Ergonomic features: Its design and features make it easy to use as they improve general performance of the router, control, and visibility.
Variable Speed feature: You can choose the speed that is perfect for the task you are handling and efficiently manage the router. It also helps in selecting material to use in all speed ranges and the types of the bit.
Five positions adjustable turret: It will assist the wood worker to control the depth of the cuts for precise and accurate cuts.
MINOR REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE
Each tool and machine in your workshop require waxing and basic cleaning. It is important to clean the accessories and let them dry after using them. Place the parts in their particular casings to prevent any loss or damages.
Depending on the extent of the damage, you could do some minor repair. It is a little difficult to reach the cullet nut for repairs, but it is not impossible. If you are facing problems with your wood router within three years, use your warranty to get free repairs.
PRICE
You can buy The DeWalt DWP611PK Compact Router for a very affordable price. The good thing is that this router includes a plunge base, so you don’t have to buy it separately. However, the extra guides and bits do not appear in this combo kit.
RATINGS
After some researching and testing, we gave the router a 9/10 for performance rating because it will allow you to accomplish almost any smaller sized task and still be reliable, comfortable and stable. For Value rating, we gave it 8/10 because it provides an excellent benefit of having both plunge and fixed base.
THE CONCLUSION
With the power, easy-to-use, ergonomics features the DeWalt DWP611PK 1.25HP Wood Router quickly becomes a do-all kit. It is ideal for small projects such as furniture building, flush cuts, simple edge treatments and round overs. It will become your favorite tool thanks to its compact size that does not sacrifice the performance or the features.
This router is a perfect option for those wood crafters who are starting out. As a small tool, it is quite handy for different wood tasks. Even if you have a bigger router, sometimes it is easier to do the job with the smaller one.
So, it is also a good option for intermediate and advanced workers.
DeWalt wood router is a highly powerful device and easy to use. It has both advanced and basic features which will suit both the professional wood worker and the hobbyist. But, if you want a device that can handle the heavy-duty projects in your shop or house, then you might want to try some bigger router.
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Common Wood Router Problems – How to Fix Them
The most important thing for a woodworker is to keep its tools in an excellent condition. The high-quality wood router can perform a lot of functions, such as shaping or cutting material and trimming. This powerful tool can give you different benefits and uses in various projects.
However, sometimes non-performing or non-functional router can cause some trouble and frustration. There are some reasons why your wood appliance isn’t working properly such as broken bit, power supply, belt or wood dust problems, or power issues. You can solve most of them without calling a repair technician.
In this article, we will write about most common problems and their solutions. You need to have some basic knowledge in order to find a quick fix to these issues.
Follow our instruction that will help you during the work process.
Keep reading to know more.
1. Endurance Problems
If your wood router suddenly breakdown in the middle of an important project, you need to know how to fix it quickly, without calling the service. Endurance issues can happen anytime, and you cannot predict it. But, you can avoid this kind of problem.
How to do that?
Solution:
The best way to prevent it is choosing the high-quality wood router. Purchase this tool from a well-known brand that will maybe cost a little more, but you will use it for a long time. We know that these devices are expensive, but you will surely avoid unexpected breakdown problems.
2. Power Supply
The most common wood router issue is power supply problem, and that is the first thing you need to check when your machine isn’t working. From your wood device remove its power connection and test the socket one for the right power delivery. Try attaching it to any other appliance of daily use.
If it is working properly, it means there is no problem with supply.
Solution:
With the screwdriver check fuse and plug. If something has damage, you should get the replacement for it and try to use the device again. Also, if you have a router that works on a battery, check connections and remove power source.
Use a voltmeter to test the battery and if it is necessary to replace with the new one. So, make sure to verify any source of power with your wood appliance before you move on the other possible issue area.
3. Electrical Motor
One of the common problems could be the electrical engine of your wood tool.
Solution:
When your motor wears out with time, the next thing you need to do is replace the belt. To do it, follow the instructions carefully.
Also, one more problem that could prevent your router engine to start is lubrication.
Solution:
To avoid this issue, add some oil to the to the motor at the right place that is marked on the wood appliance. After you have done it, try to start the wood device again.
4. Slipping Bit
There are examples where router bit can cause a problem. You will notice that if it continues slipping in the chuck in the middle of the using process. While the chucks still turn, you will realize that the bit stops.
Solution:
If this problem happens, all you need to do is turn off the machine and tighten up the chuck. If that doesn’t work out, check to see does its key has been stripped or not. It can be the reason for a loose chuck.
In case you are using an old router table you might want to replace the chuck since its clamping mechanism is worn out or it no longer locks.
5. Broken Bit
When this piece is broken, it can harm your body or damage your wood creature. For example, it could cause a serious problem if it hits your eyes.
Solution:
The best thing to do to avoid this issue is buying a high-quality router bit. For example, look for the one of a famous brand. Be sure, that you have installed it correctly, to avoid some additional problems.
When it does not fit properly, it will stop or break in the middle of the using process. Also, the important thing before you use it is to check the bits sharpness. Don’t forget to wear the protective gear while working with the wood machine.
6. Bit Depth
With the high-quality router table and the gauge provided on its side, you can set the bit depth. However, after some period the sawdust pile up the chuck that force the bits higher. It inserts into the gap of the appliances’ engine.
It can cause friction, that will heat up the device which will lead to abrasion. It will affect the duration of the wood machine, and cause a problem with setting up the required height when you are working on some project.
Solution:
The best thing to use which will solve this problem is compressed air. It will eliminate the wood chips or sawdust. Use a screwdriver for the compacted sawdust to break it, and then blow it out.
Try to clean it on a regular basis to avoid this issue.
7. Inconsistent or Unstable Bit Speed
If you are experiencing bit speed inconsistency, make sure to check out the router belts. They may have worn out or may be loose. When you check them out, you may find they are cracked especially if the wood machine is older.
Solution:
If this is the case, you need to replace them. Read a recommendation of a manufacturer so you can find a suitable replacement. If you still have the same problem call a certified repairman.
Conclusion
These are some common wood router issues that you may face and solve by yourself. Read this article and follow our instructions carefully so you can fix any of these problems. But, when you have some technical fault with the wood machine, these tips won’t help you.
If this happens, the best thing to do is call a repair technician.
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