Thread: Never used a router before

Originally Posted by ipv89

Hi All,

I have never used a router before but have been given one with a few bits. I thought picture frames or small boxes might be a good place to start, however, I feel I am missing some of the fundamentals. I have also moved from my home town so I don’t have anyone to learn from hands on. Any recommendations to where I should start would be much appreciated.

Thanks
I

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Vl8Jbw3cSk

Perfect thank you. I took a look at some other videos on youtube but its hard to know who is good to watch in terms of best practices and safety etc.

There good info in that video about how to use a router. It's a pity that the presenter didn't spend just 10s on PPE. There was also was no indication that he used either hearing or eye protection. I always wear muffs and a full face shield when using a router. Years ago I broke a bit and it went ricocheting around my shed that fair put the wind up me.

Unless the piece is big and heavy, have it clamped down. As BobL said, PPE, face sheild and hearing protection is good.
Practice first and use a piece of off cut to check and set your settings such as depth of cut.
Yes you can do picture frames, wider frames are easier than narrow as the base of the router needs something to reference off. Some jobs are easier in a table, others free hand or with a template.

I had no one to show me and so far I have managed. Also be prepared to have lots of shavings unless you have some sort of dust/chip extraction.