Woodworkers cannot do their jobs without a wood router, which is a tool that helps in creating beautiful shapes, grooves, and designs. However, you need to know a few things about wood routers before you purchase one. This post will give you an insight into the different types of wood routers, their features, designs, and what they work well for.
Types of Wood Routers
There are two main types of wood routers, which are the plunge router and the fixed base style router. To understand their functionalities, you need to first understand how routers are designed and constructed.
First, the motor of the router rests where the body is. The body is responsible for offering insulation to the motor, and it has handles that will be used to direct the router through the material that needs to be formed or cut. There’s also a collet or clamping sleeve made of metals that holds the bit in place at the router’s base.
Now, coming back to the types of wood routers, a fixed base router is one that has a stationary base while the plunge wood router’s base is spring-loaded.
With the fixed base cutter, you’ll need to select a specific depth before you start working, and the depth will remain the same throughout. However, when using the plunge router, you can change the depth as you work by opening the release system and adjusting the base.
As far as suitability is concerned, fixed base routers are suitable for beginners to woodworking while plunge routers are for people with experience as they offer more versatility. Here you can find more tips for purchasing a new router.
Features of a Wood Router that should affect your purchase decision
1. Grip
The best router is one that has a comfortable grip so that you can work for long periods without feeling any sort of discomfort.
2. Horsepower
It is important to buy a wood router with a high horsepower rating because high power makes it easier to pass large bits through the stock. A motor horsepower rating that’s 2 HP and above is a great option.
3. Diameter bits
Your choice of a wood router should be one that can work with either ½ or ¼ inch diameter bits. Then, as expensive as they might be, you should buy ½ inch because they offer less chatter and more stability.
4. Speed
There are single-speed and variable-speed routers, and a variable-speed router is best because it is great for cutting large bits that need slower speed.
5. Vacuum
Getting a router that comes with a dust port and vacuum is a great idea because it helps to collect dust which saves time and also protects your health.
6. Switch
Ensure to purchase a router that has a power switch close enough to be turned off and on without taking your hands off your work.
For other added information, you can check out The Router Workshop television program that teaches you how to use a router. The show has nearly 200 episodes that you can watch online to improve your knowledge of wood routers.
