How to Choose and Use a Router | Ask This Old House

General contractor Tom Silva shares his insights on the shop's most versatile portable power tool. (See steps below.)

Steps for How to Choose and Use a Router:
1. Depending on the router bit used, routers can cut a wide variety of decorative edges, profiles, and woodworking joints.
2. Straight-cutting router bits can cut dadoes, grooves, and rabbets for joining together two boards.
3. A plunge router can cut precise holes like a drill press for shelf pegs or wooden dowels.
4. Rout tongue-and-groove joints into the ends and edges of boards to create tongue-and-groove flooring.
5. Light-duty trim routers are ideal for flush-trimming plastic laminate, veneer, and other thin materials.
6. Don't use large bits in a trim router; you could burn out the motor.
7. Medium-duty fixed-based routers offer a good combination of power and speed.
8. Some routers have variable-speed motors. Use slower speeds when cutting with large-diameter bits.
9. A plunge router has a spring-loaded base that allows you to plunge the bit down into the board, and then release it to pop up out of the cut.
10. Plunge routers are useful for routing inlays, stopped grooves, and holes.
11. Router bits come in dozens of sizes and profiles.
12. Bits come with either a 1/4-inch-diameter shaft or a 1/2-inch-diameter shaft. Match the bit-shank diameter to the collet on the router.
13. Some routers come with both a 1/4-inch and a 1/2-inch collet.
14. The ball-bearing pilot found on some bits rolls along the edge of the board to control the depth of cut.
15. A piloted flush-cutting bit has a ball bearing that rides along a template for making very precise, custom cuts.
16. With the router unplugged, push the router bit all the way into the collet, then pull it out a little bit to provide an expansion space.
17. Tighten the collet with a wrench to securely lock the bit in place.
18. Adjust the depth of cut, then plug in the router.
19. Firmly clamp the board to a workbench.
20. Put on hearing protection and safety goggles.
21. Before switching on the router, be sure the router bit isn't touching the board.
22. Turn on the router, then slowly rout from left to right in a counterclockwise direction.

About Ask This Old House TV:
Homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions for us on smaller projects, and we're ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by our viewers—and we make house calls! Ask This Old House features some familiar faces from This Old House, including Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Roger Cook.

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How to Choose and Use a Router | Ask This Old House

[charlesbonkley]

This video is fantastic! Been watching TOH since I was a kid during the Bob Villa days in the 80's. I just love listening to them talk very casually and informatively about everything.

[techfan]

Just added a router to my shop, and it's quickly become one of my favorite and most useful tools.

[BooksxRonin]

I love this channel. It’s done professionally and really helps the end user to understand their concepts.

[Highlanddragon]

I was in 8th grade the first time I used a router for a project I made a sign for my big sister's kitchen in her first house and to this day 24 years later she's still has it hanging in her kitchen.

[empace]

Oh my gosh! This was so helpful! Perfect video length and really cut straight to the point. Thanks, guys! Best intro router video on YouTube.

[MAgaSUXX]

Used a router today for the FIRST TIME..why? I was PROUD OF the fact I didn't have one UNTIL....a lady came by to look at my adirondack style chairs I make...and she was FUSSY...she wanted QUALITY....uh oh!! I bought a box store one with a table..it was not assembled, (came with a table)..then found an older one on a cool extended table and bought that...took it over to a real woodworkers shop and he showed me HOW. Now it has opened the door to some other ideas I want to make..the router is a magical tool...so happy to have one. This was the best introduction I have seen. Thank you.

[RayJmond]

"Hawhs-paheh" - took a couple rewinds for my feeble Midwestern brain to understand he was saying "horsepower".

[DiHandley]

Good advice guys. Thanks for the tips.

[Backyardinstallers]

Keep up the great work guys... Been watching this program since the beginning... As a young man your show helped shape my future in the trades then into an engineer...
Thank you for programming as yours...

[brianmoeller]

Vids. Good heavens this is like electronic crack

[rawbacon]

Great tool, I like to put a round over on even the simple projects to give it a nice feel.

[markmitchell]

Great Video! Slow explanation of how to do. Camera work is excellent too! Thank you so much!

[julesjames]

That was a Christmas present of a video! Thank you!

[rkerby]

Thank you for this video. I am an up and coming Woodworker, and I need to purchase my first Router.

[mrsameenkhan]

This is one of the best videos about routers. Thanks for the demo.

[concordiameterik]

Elke keer als ik dit kijk wordt ik overdreven vrolijk!!!

[brianchester]

Nice job fellas easy explanation for us beginers

[LtDan-hrpb]

Don't forget to use your hearing protection. Your HEARING protection! I said "DON"T FORGET YOUR TO USE HEARING PROTECTION!"

[russellmoore]

Damn, solid burn from Kevin right out of the gate

[davenapier]

awesome video... this help a lot! thank you