FREEHAND ROUTE like a PRO with NO TEMPLATES! (best routing tips and tricks)

This is a video you guys have been requesting for a long time! This is my method for freehand routing with no templates.

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[bryantwalley]

When I used to build wood signs many years ago, I would keep the sawdust from the wood as I sanded so when there were little bloopers like the kick out with the knot, I could mix the dust with the glue and make a paste the same color as the wood. Worked really well.

[yikelu]

Those are very impressive freehand routes tbh. Best tip I can offer is you can go "semi-templated" by just using pre-cut blocks of wood as straight edges. Stick them onto your surface and use a bearing bit to follow them. Obviously only going to get certain shapes that way, but it's surprisingly effective within those limitations.

[geomann]

Looks great!! A possible solution when a pattern is layed out on a knot is to drill as much of the knot out prior to routering that area! At least the outer boarder of the pattern. That should prevent router blade from catching the knot and causing a problem!!

[thebigdcross]

I actually like to cut my neck route 1st and cut the guitar around it. And route in 3 stages. I am building one so close to this, i like your style

[jerryschlather]

I always start my rout in the middle, well away from the edges/lines. Then sneak up to the line as it is much easier to control the cut when you are only cutting a small amount of wood (same point you made for depth of cut). I would also consider drilling out the corners with a bit the same diameter as my router bit.

[Sylencer]

If you're routing on the outside of something it *really* helps to have another piece of material the same thickness as what you're working with to help support the far side of the router.

[beanseff]

When you were talking about the line on the route for the neckill tell you a trick i learned building cabinets... route from the inside out. When you get close to the line. Use a dremel with the router attachment. I also attach a magnifying glass so i get it so precise you sill have the inside of the line. Check your fit and it should be perfect.

[AndyMinchew]

I make cigar box guitars and I agree with your method. I don't like to use templates. You need to know how to fix your mistakes. Craftsmanship is all about experience. Turning mistakes into a great job. I really like this video.

[TheBassTroll]

Dan, I think your freehand looks and fits better than the template. That was pretty much what I did when I made my first bass. I made some mistakes, but overall, after thirty-something years, I'm amazed at how well that first project turned out.

Pickup placement: after I attached the twenty-fret neck to the body, I measured out where the saddles of the bridge should be, and then strung the bass and tuned it (EADG). After plucking the twelfth fret harmonic, I found the harmonics higher up the neck to choose where my split P pickup and J bridge pickup would go.

Thank you for all you do for so many of us.

GB!

[davedupuis]

That's pretty darn impressive I must say. Another trick is to cut your line with an razor knife. As you creep your router bit towards the line it will often "peel away" that last tiny bit meaning you're not actually routing up to the line. If that makes sense lol. Kinda hard to describe in words but it definitely works

[tjm]

This is a really good video for one of kind type builds. Doesn't say alot towards production building.... but if you build one offs, or are trying to get into proflduction like this youtuber does, this really great advice, and really great content. I rarely take the time to comment, but thanks so much for posting this. Pocket placement is so important

[gmjsimmons]

My past experience with freehanding a router had never resulted in a clean appearance. I have to say that your ability to do this had totally mystified me. Revealling your techniques helps a lot. I may even give it a shot at some time in the future. I never even considered that a shallow rout could become a template for the full depth rout. Great tips. In this age of the CNC, craftsman techniques are being lost, and strangely enough, your freehand pickup rout has a more satisfying crafted feel than the template one. Not sure what it is, maybe it conveys human care and skill better.

[Xpyburnt_ndz]

Gr8 vid and tips Dan! I did some of these while building stocks for my shotguns 25 yrs ago...even got a GORGEOUS piece of Walnut that had a huge crack in it...after shaping it for my Model 12/20, I took sanding dust and mixed it with epoxy and filled the crack...to this day, no one can tell me where the crack was/is in it! Love these type vids! Thank you my friend!

[micah_noel]

That’s pretty impressive! I don’t know that I ever would have thought to try this on my own but you’ve given me a bit of encouragement for sure.

[bikemikesguitartopics]

Good show. The neck was nicer for me. A lot more work but tighter. Need experience with the tool though. That takes time and screw-ups as a teacher.

[potsy]

I have art in my whole back grounds and a drop base new router. Lots off scrap to practice. I like the concepts a bunch enough to it. cheers

[clappedham]

9:55 Love the ramones reference! Super helpful video man, many thanks!

[randyhaney]

Wow,
It's like you know what I'm up to. (BTW. I prefer the freehand pickup route just a tighter fit)
This video is exactly what I am needing to see at this exact time. Again!
(Ways to Freehand route a Neck Pocket to be exact)
I'm Building a P Bass Knockoff.
I have everything done; except the neck pocket.
Been kind of apprehensive; about this particular operation.
never done this one so far.
But Look Dan'O, has saved the day... Again!
Thanks Dan, I truly needed this one.

[crandallwoodworking]

A tip I learned the hard way is to only plunge in 1/4" increments. Stay close to the line. When your bearing is deep enough, then get right up to the line. This will decrease, not eliminate, the change of gouging your work piece. Thanks for the video!

[MrDaveKC]

That looks great Dan. So far, I've always struggled to freehand, but that's a good reminder to take it easy. Mayhave to look into a plunge router, too. And that slab of wood looks great!