Thread: Learning projects for router table

A small lidded box can be made with just two cutters:

Use a 1/8"-5/16" bit to cut the slot in the sides for the base and can also be used to make locking corner joints. The same cutter can run a rebate around the lid; either flat on the table and multiple passes moving the fence to increase the width, or on its edge against the fence with the bit extended and taking light but full depth passes, again moving the fence with every cut until the depth is achieved.

The base can be either a piece of 1/8"-5/16" ply, or rebated solid wood using the same process you cut the rebate in the lid.

Then you get a fancier profile cutting bit for the edges of the lid, a roundover or ovolo or even just a chamfer.

This little project is easy to set up and use, it has cuts in both long and end grain; it has the wood flat on the table and on the fence; and finally requires you to think about what order to make the cuts in to eliminate spelching or blowout.

I am brand new to routing myself. I've found that anything requiring external edge work AND internal work to be really helpful in getting my head around cut direction. Not that I specifically recommend this project but I decided to make an old fashioned horseshoes game but all out of wood.

A nicely edged base plate and vertical dowel. Then a bunch of wooden horseshoes using a pattern bit and round-over bits etc.

Picture frame from a piece of MDF, with a rebated cut out to accept a piece of perspex/glass.
How you do the rebate can vary on bits you have, or by adjusting depth. Use of stops very important.

Thanks for the suggestions. Keep them coming. I’m sure others with find these ideas useful too.