Routing

Let’s cut through the noise: If you’re still hand-carving dados or eyeballing edge profiles, you’re wasting time, money, and sanity. Routing tools are the Swiss Army knives of woodworking—versatile, precise, and capable of turning "meh" projects into museum-worthy masterpieces. Whether you’re building cabinets, carving signs, or crafting custom furniture, this guide will break down everything you need to know about wood routers, router tables, jigs, and bits—plus how to avoid blowing your budget on gear you don’t need.

What Are Routing Tools? (And Why They’re Not Just for Nerds)

Routing tools are the secret sauce behind crisp edges, flawless joinery, and intricate designs. At their core, they’re about spinning a sharp bit at 20,000 RPM to carve, shape, or hollow wood with surgical precision. Think of them as the tattoo artists of woodworking—meticulous, creative, and occasionally terrifying.

1. Wood Routers: The Heart of the Operation

A wood router is a handheld or table-mounted power tool that drives router bits. There are two main types:

• Fixed-Base Routers (e.g., DEWALT DWP611): Lightweight and perfect for edge profiling.
• Plunge Routers (e.g., Bosch 1617EVSPK): Ideal for mortising, inlays, or starting cuts in the middle of a workpiece.

Why You Need One:

• Edge Profiling: Create decorative edges on tables, shelves, or picture frames.
• Joinery: Cut dovetails, dados, or mortise-and-tenon joints.
• Sign Making: Carve letters or patterns with ease.

Pro Tip: Newbies should start with a compact router (Makita RT0701C)—they’re lighter, cheaper, and harder to mess up.

2. Router Tables: Precision Meets Power

A router table flips the script: You mount the router upside-down under a table, turning it into a stationary shaper.

Top Picks:

• Benchtop Tables (e.g., Kreg PRS1040): Portable and perfect for small shops.
• Cabinet-Style Tables (e.g., Bosch RA1181): Heavy-duty for serious production.

Why You Need One:

• Safety: Control small pieces without risking fingers.
• Repeatability: Batch-produce identical parts for furniture or cabinets.
• Power: Tackle hardwoods and large bits that overwhelm handheld routers.

Pro Hack: Build a DIY router table with plywood and a salvaged sink cutout—it costs under $50.

3. Router Jigs: The Genius of Modularity

Router jigs are custom guides that turn your router into a specialized tool. They’re like Lego blocks for woodworking—limitless possibilities.

Must-Have Jigs:

• Circle-Cutting Jig (e.g., Jasper 200J): Perfect for cutting speaker holes or tabletops.
• Dovetail Jig (e.g., Porter-Cable 4211): Craft flawless dovetails without a $5,000 machine.
• Tongue-and-Groove Jig (e.g., Milescraft 1212): Ideal for flooring or shiplap walls.

Why You Need Them:

• Cost-Effective: Avoid buying single-use tools.
• Customization: Create unique joints or patterns.
• Accuracy: Eliminate guesswork for perfect cuts every time.

4. Router Bits: The Unsung Heroes

Router bits are the interchangeable blades that define what your router can do. They come in hundreds of shapes, but focus on these essentials:

• Straight Bits (1/4” & 1/2”): For dados, grooves, and mortises.
• Round-Over Bits: Soften edges on tables, trays, or shelves.
• Chamfer Bits: Add bevels for modern aesthetics.
• Cove Bits: Create decorative flutes or trim.
• Pattern Bits: Follow templates for intricate shapes.

Top Brands:

• Whiteside: The Rolls-Royce of bits ($$$ but lasts decades).
• Freud: Affordable and reliable for hobbyists.
• Amana: Industrial-grade for production shops.

Pro Tip: Buy carbide-tipped bits—they stay sharp 10x longer than HSS.

Choosing Your Routing Tools: The No-BS Buyer’s Guide

For Beginners:

• Router: DEWALT DWP611 (compact, versatile).
• Bits: Freud 10-Piece Starter Kit ($60).
• Table: Skip it—master handheld first.

For Intermediate Woodworkers:

• Router: Bosch 1617EVSPK (plunge + fixed base).
• Table: Kreg PRS1040 (portable but sturdy).
• Jigs: Milescraft 1212 (tongue-and-groove).

For Pros:

• Router: Festool OF 1400 (dust-free, ultra-precise).
• Table: Bench Dog ProMax (cast-iron top, zero flex).
• Bits: Whiteside Ultimate Set (investment-grade).

5 Projects That Scream “Buy Routing Tools!”

1. Custom Floating Shelves: Cut clean dados for invisible brackets.
2. DIY Farmhouse Table: Profile edges for a rustic look.
3. Engraved Coasters: Use a V-groove bit to carve monograms.
4. Built-In Bookshelves: Create seamless shiplap joints.
5. CNC-Level Signs: Combine a pattern bit and jig for pro lettering.

Safety 101: Keep All 10 Fingers

• Wear Eye Protection: Flying chips don’t care about your face.
• Secure the Workpiece: Use clamps or a vacuum hold-down.
• Climb-Cutting = Danger: Always feed against the bit’s rotation.

Maintenance Made Simple

• Clean Bits: Soak in Simple Green to remove pitch.
• Lubricate Router Tables: Wax the surface monthly for smooth feeding.
• Store Bits in Cases: Foam inserts prevent chipping.

Why Routing Tools Are Worth Every Penny

Let’s math it out: A decent router + bits + jigs costs $300–$600. If you’re charging $50/hour for custom work, one coffee table pays for the gear. For hobbyists? It’s about unlocking skills you’ll use for life.

(Jake “The Router Jedi” Malone is a furniture designer and host of The Dusty Grain Podcast. When not obsessing over bit speeds, he’s arguing with his wife about turning the garage into a “routing dojo.”)