Wood working is a complicated craft and it takes a lot of
equipment and effort for even a simple wood working project to be finished. One
of the most useful devices in this field of art is the wood router. Read on for
tips on how to choose the best router for your project:
What is a wood router for?
The first thing that pops into millennial minds when they hear
"router" has to do with computer networks. This router, however, is
different as it carves out a portion of wood so it can be shaped to the wood
worker's desire.
There are many kinds of routers:
Plunge router
A plunge router is specially designed for interior cuts. It comes
with a lock that triggers the router to move up and down in plunging the center
of the cut when unlocked.
One feature that makes the plunge router different from other wood
routers is the fact that it has a variety of speeds that can be used for
different router bits. The plunge router also comes with a scale that can help
ensure the accuracy of the wood's height.
Trim router
The trim router is one of the kinds of routers that are handheld.
While it is mainly used to laminate work, it is now increasingly being used to
cut small wood pieces. This wood router comes with a few sets of bases for
bevel and offset cuts.
Fixed-Base router
If you are looking to make interior cuts, do not use a fixed-base
router. While adjusting the height is relatively as you only need to rotate the
motor in the equipment's base, the motor cannot be brought down into the cut as
long as the base is intact.
Combination router
A combination router lives up to its name as its base is indeed a
mix between the fixed-base and plunge routers. This particular router, however,
is mostly used only in cases that need a bigger router though some buy it as it
would be costlier the two previously mentioned router models separately.
There are lots of other things that need to be considered in
buying a wood router:
Think of the router bits used with the model For the beginners in wood working, wood routers actually make use
of cutting accessories called router bits. These router bits are available in
many profiles, each of which produces a different shape for the cutting edge.
For example, the edge-forming bits are designed especially to make decorative
carvings on wood like the Cove bit which carves a concave quarter-circle.
The problem with routers is that not all router bits will be able
to fit a particular type. So if you are looking to make a wood working project
with a particular cutting shape or design in mind, then you may have to find
something that fits the bit you want.
The best and sturdiest routers are on the pricey side.
Just like almost any product in the market right now, the best
wood routers are more expensive than others. While performance should always be
the biggest consideration, the fact that you will be spending a lot for the
device may give you pause.
To compromise between the price and performance, do know that the
routers that belong a price range of $120-$190. Of course, to ensure the
quality, check the reviews of the router brand and model you are eyeing so you
will know the experiences of other users.
Consider the horsepower needed
If you are aiming to use the wood router for light work like
shaping edges, then small motors will suffice. If not, always go for the bigger
router.
Make sure that the router base is solid.
A key feature to the success of any wood working project is that
the materials and equipment used are of decent quality. In the case of wood
routers, check if the router base is stable enough so it will not rock once you
are already working on your project. To test this, set the router on a solid
surface and try to move the router around. If you feel that it does not stay
level and there is a possibility that it may collapse or tip over, you may want
to look for another model.
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