5 Ways to make a groove with your router!

This video is about 5 different ways to make a groove with your router and the making of a very nice router template.
Visit my site www.hookedonwood.online for more shop improvement videos and free plans.
Products use in this video.
Miter track / T tracks
Small T-tracks
Grey: www.banggood.com/custlink/DmG...
Blue: www.banggood.com/custlink/KmD...
Rulers:
Traditional ruler:
1: www.banggood.com/custlink/KmD...
2: www.banggood.com/custlink/vKm...
Screws for small T track
1: www.banggood.com/custlink/G3G...
Big red T-ruler
www.banggood.com/custlink/GDK...
Corner Chisel
www.banggood.com/custlink/KD3...
Router Bushing set
www.banggood.com/custlink/mD3...

[@zapa1pnt]

Awesome and simple template. Extremely versatile. You can, easily, make one large enough, to make an eight foot assembly table. No more fiddling and fumbling with, single, edge guides, trying to keep them straight. P.S.: I love how you label your projects. Looks great.

[@donkent9340]

Thank you so much for showing us how to make simple but lovely tools, plus thank you for showing a telling us about the tools you use and how you rate them I have found this very very useful.

[@lovevwltd7114]

Great video it answered all of the questions I had at the start, hope you enjoy your holiday and family time.

[@jimcarroll1005]

Excellent job Dennis, just what I was looking for. Thank you for your great videos.

[@paulrowley71]

That’s a brilliant jig Dennis. Many thanks. All the best for the summer. 👍🏻

[@fernard8985]

This video saved my life, sir. I started getting headaches about cutting t-track grooves for my router table build. I have a small Makita router as well, but i don't have an adapter or clamps for my guide rail and I don't want to spend extra money on additional tools for this job. Btw, your workshop is absolutely stunning - I'm amazed by your taste and the beaty and elegance of your furniture. I aspire to become 5% as competent as you are in terms of woodworking skills. Thank you!

[@alasdairmackenzie515]

Another great video, Dennis. Very helpful. Thank you!!

[@jph1200]

Dennis, your videos or such high quality and always a pleasure to watch. Very informative content on this channel. So glad I'm "hooked"!

[@MCsCreations]

Fantastic, Dennis! 😃 Thanks a lot for all the tips! And thanks for the jig! Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@summerdove8367]

Thank you so much, this has revolutionised my way of measuring. Thank you

[@anthonyr.3799]

I love it, easy to make and very portable.

[@clivemarsden5655]

So informative and well presented. I'm making one of those templates now....time to get on the web for the bits. Thanks Dennis.

[@alanorourke6140]

Very well presented Love that jig Must make my own

[@Marticulate]

Excellent instructional video. I've bought some of your China tool recommendations. Appreciate the attention to detail in the reviews. Thanks.

[@noodldoodl1970]

Apart from the fact I didn't even know a corner chisel existed and that I NEED one for squaring off the rounded routered channels I'm cutting, this video was just what I needed to be able to learn about accurately insetting t-track. And I also have acquired just a little bit of workshop envy, too.

[@kiwisparkey]

A very informative video Dennis - Thank you. It’s just what I need as I just bought a router and am keen on using it. I’ve never owned a router so this template will be a great help for a novice like me.......

[@richardmarquardt6246]

Wow, how did I miss this episode!? Another great idea Dennis!

[@PF-hk6hn]

Great video. I alway enjoy your videos and how detailed they are.

[@charleselkins4546]

Great video on a simple idea which is not always so simple to execute. Well done and more like this.

[@glynprice3815]

See notification from Dennis,hit view. Press like ,sit back and enjoy. Good work as ever. Thank you

[@ivanwalker3391]

Brilliant video. I enjoy your "China Tools" videos but, I "REALLY" enjoy watching your build and demonstration videos. Keep 'er lit Bro!

[@klausschleicher523]

Very nice tutorial. I will build this jig for myself. Have a nice time with your family.

[@rickolson1738]

As always. Well done! I will be making one of these very soon. Thank you and enjoy your family holiday! Cheers from the US!

[@kleef465]

Nice upgrade to Festool tools Dennis. Good tutorials thx!

[@peterlingauer8512]

Thank you for this information and greets from Bavaria

[@maartenbaas9044]

as always a great video. thanks for making it and sharing it.

[@beverleythomas5708]

Awesome tutorial! 😊

[@willcraig4737]

great skills, this template will save me wasting a lot of scrap wood. Great Work

[@shaynesabala]

Thank you for another great video. I learn every time I watch one. New subscriber and notifications are on all.

[@mauserkk98]

These are my favourite sort of videos , showing a project demonstrating a product in action just makes it easier to understand. Happy holidays Dennis and family looking forward to that new workshop build .

[@sibbe777]

Nice video Dennis. Just used one of your links ;) Thx for entertaining and teaching again and again =)

[@soundman127]

Very good shots. Fantastic all round, as usual.

[@stuurmaardoor]

Hi Dennis, cool jig! The mpx is 18 mm thick, the t-track is 19mm high, so 1 mm is sticking outside the surface of the wood on the upperside of the jig. How can you then ever put the sole flat on top of the jig? It will ‘wobble’ and never be in a 90 degrees angle to your working piece. It is not much, but still. Am I mistaken? Gr Jako

[@steveferguson1232]

Great video. Now I will make one.

[@Emboya23]

Goe bezig venke! Big fan!

[@charlesvonroretz1270]

Great video and so easy to create a jig like that... now all I have to do is make a grooved track to make your jig to make my grooves accurate! 😂😂 Have a good time with your family if you are not back yet off your holiday!

[@andrewsmall2718]

Excellent video Dennis. Loved the use of subtle explanatory graphics. Very sharp and professional presentation. Can’t wait to make that template, looks awesome.

[@tombrown8428]

I love your videos.

[@richardhasler6718]

Here's my score card: Commentary in English (5), Clear instructions (5), Camera work and Editing (5), Demonstrating Techniques (5), Value for money (5).

[@terrmaso]

Great video, I always appreciate the time you take👍 I have the same Makita router and just recently found the plunge base for it. Both are wonderful for what I do.

[@MrPatdeeee]

Dennis is awesome. Thank you kind Sir for sharing your talents from Heaven. Praise Jesus.

[@katekeough9819]

Great video very useful information

[@roberthenry5657]

Brilliant as always Dennis! Enjoy some well deserved time off with your family.

[@sappersrus8003]

Appriciate the woork put into to your excellent videos. I am looking forward to when you test the bushing as I will interesterd to see which routers they would be adaptable for ie I have the triton TRA001. Once again thank you.

[@cesargamez7384]

Saludos maestro de Aguascalientes México Francisco gamez un abrazo muy fuerte y saludos cordiales bendiciones para usted y toda su familia es usted genial 😀👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@WungaBungaMC]

Amazing.

[@dymone4894]

This is exactly what I need. Thank you for the tutorial!

[@rick91443]

Thank you. Learned a great deal...rr Normandy, Fra.

[@Hpibajapitbullrc]

Thanks Dennis, it is on my next “ to make” list👍👍👍

[@stepanbedrossian]

Fantastic. As with all your video's so beautifully explained verbally and visually. Great work keep it up

[@denty32]

Brilliant as always Dennis, have a great holiday

[@skogsmats]

This was a good one, once again. Thanks.

[@idlersdream826]

A very informative video Dennis, especially for those of us fairly new to routers 👍.

[@samrix5793]

Nice tutorial!

[@samrix5793]

Did I win yet?

[@HookedonWood]

HaHa, next time your are faster then I push Publicate!

[@morganskinner3863]

The one thing that amazed me most about this video was - sawdust in Dennis’s workshop!!! He is human after all! 😀

[@HookedonWood]

😀😀😀

[@ivanwalker3391]

I was cringing when I saw the dust escaping into the workshop. Ha! Ha! Ha! Keep 'er lit Bro!

[@xsbxsbxsb]

@@HookedonWood Do you order sawdust online to add realism in your videos? I can do you a good deal!

[@djamelhati6190]

Good job Bro 🇩🇿

[@milandjordjevic5949]

Super Dennis , Tumb 👍 up for you . Greetings from the best Country of Europe - Austria

[@HookedonWood]

Felder Country, Yep, is good and I am sure also for other reasons :-)

[@milandjordjevic5949]

@@HookedonWood Thank you for Banggood links , i like Drillpro tools . For me Semiprofi its Perfect .

[@vbruehl]

Hi Dennis, thanks for your videos, I really enjoy watching them and have learned a lot. Regarding the jig, you mention T Track screws. Are these special screws (besides the t head)? Unfortunately the link doesn’t help as they seem to be sold out. Many thanks, merry Christmas and all the best for 2024!

[@TheCahupp]

Thanks for the video, very helpful. Where do you purchase a template? Thanks!

[@csenior10]

Dennis, I love that T-track jig. Do you have a video or plans on that?

[@damnrite811]

Can you use a 3/4 in straight bit?

[@TigerCarpenter]

I made my router template from the aluminum extrusions. and it was quite expensive, but of course it is waterproof, and because I live in tropics at 90% or more humidity, the plywood jigs wouldn't survive a week. but I really like the simplicity of your template design. and I need to buy that corner cutter. looks so cool and easy to use it comparing to chiseling the corners out.

[@HookedonWood]

I think you are right. All the best

[@Flightdevildoc]

Hi Dennis, I am a new subscriber and wow, great videos. I just recently retired from military service and decided woodworking as my hobby until eternity. I never thought wood working to be so much fun and indeed peaceful and rewarding when finally see what was created with our own hands. Love it. I am indeed interested on the correct plans to build this router template. I visited your website but was unable to find it. Do you have the link to it? Again, thanks for your amazing videos. By the way, I just bought my first Hongdui Precision Miter Gauge you reviewed a while ago, from Banggood, wow what a beauty and solid elegant build. Thanks. I can't wait to learn more and continue on my new path of wood working and hopefully one day, become a Wood Master Jedi like youself. Blessings🙂

[@Benmeglei1]

Great hobby brother! God bless. 👊🏻

[@bradleytuckwell4854]

Great jig for a router. I’m loving your channel. I was wondering have you ever worked with Japanese plans and I would love to know your thoughts on them.

[@HookedonWood]

Hi Bradley, No, I do not have experience with them. Sorry

[@grantdavies6081]

Great Video Denis! Simple an make routing grooves so much better. Have you reviewed any china router bits yet ?

[@HookedonWood]

Hi Grant, No, I got some, but I almost never have to use those. I have one dovetail bit that looks promising. But still could not find a good bit that I wanted to try.

[@Looyenss]

nice use of the baptist noteblock haha

[@HookedonWood]

That only works with Baptist :-))

[@KingCuba0731]

Do I need a plunge base ?

[@phcalama]

Great video, thanks. I plan to make the router template. That said, I'd be interested in knowing the make of self-centering or vix drill bits you used in this video. Mine are junk.

[@HookedonWood]

The one I used in this video are from Festool. I also do have some from China, but they do not live that long. For sometime use, this is ideal. But when you use regularly, the Festool has a better quality. But I have to find out how long these will last? I do not have them that long.

[@prime9400]

Hello Dennis, great viedeo. Can you put a link where to buy the T tracks you use.

[@ataleciosena4131]

Exellent1

[@adt965]

Again a beautiful meaningful video, thanks Dennis for all your work !! The t-track is 19mm and the plywood is 18mm thick, so 1mm difference in thickness at the top of the template, the router tilts over that. Ask; how did you solve this?? Greatings Ad (Woerden, Netherlands)

[@HookedonWood]

Yes, that is a bit of a problem. Using 20mm would probably better. But you can also turn the template around if you need this stability. But when i need this stability I like to add a block of 19mm to the other side of the router so it stays stable. But again. Better is to choose 20mm ply

[@shegerketema6622]

I SUPPORT

[@glennes4702]

Hi Dennis, zou je mij de referentie kunnen geven van de boor die je gebruikt om de gaten in de T-tracks te maken? Deze lijkt me super handig! Thanks! grtn Glenn

[@colindoesdiy]

Hi Dennis, hope your Holidays are going well and you are having some good quality time with your family. When you are back in the shop could you answer one quick question which I am confused about before I build the Template. I have just watched your video again and when using a Router Bit with a Bearing, how do you prevent the Bearing from running into the Groove in the T-Track, which would really mess things up ? I can only presume you have to use a Router Bit that closely matches the depth of the T-Track so that the Bearing will run along the bottom outer edge of the T-Track and you have to make the cut in One Pass at full depth?

[@HookedonWood]

Hi Colin, Yes, this does give some limitations. You have to use the above or below piece of the T-track, or use a bushing or use the router base.

[@colindoesdiy]

Hi Dennis, yet another very interesting and detailed video and comes at just the right time for me as I am going to be cutting some T-Track Slots very soon. Just a couple of questions which might have already been asked but will ask them again and the answers may be useful to others that watch your channel. 1) Can you tell me if you use the Curved Edge of your Makita Router base for any particular reason rather than the Flat Edge which I would have thought would be easier to control and not wander around the curved edge ?. 2) In your video, you mentioned the sizes of your pieces of 18mm Plywood for the Router Template as 2 Off at 100mm and 2 Off at 50 mm, did you actually mean 100cm and 50cm ? Enjoy your Holidays with the family, hope the weather is as good as it is in the U.K. at the moment apart from it is a little too Hot, 30 Degrees Centigrade today. It is 9 Days to go to my Daughters Wedding so starting to panic now hope I have remembered everything :-)

[@HookedonWood]

Hi Colin, your first question is very good. And I wanted to include that in the video, but because of "time" issues I was not manage to do that and it is a shame I did not include it, because the obvious thoughts would be to use the straight side. But there is a very good reason not to do this. I will show it in my next video. Thanks for asking.You are right at point two. That is a mistake from my site. I indeed meant 100cm and 50 cm . Good to have you on board :-) Oh, and all the best with your Daughters wedding. Most be a very special moment. Enjoy. Dennis

[@colindoesdiy]

@@HookedonWood Dennis thanks for taking the time to reply, I know how much there is to do when Holidays are approaching, have a great time and look forward to seeing you next time :-)

[@xrayhead]

I searched your video's on your channel but couldn't see any that referenced making the template you used, is there one? Great Video, thanks for the handy tips.

[@HookedonWood]

No, Only the last 2 minutes of the video I explain how I made it. Perhaps I will make a more complete video on a slightly improved version of it. Thanks Dennis

[@tonyjohnson2265]

Hello Dennis, is there a video for making your router guide? If yes i’d appreciate the link. Cheers & love your work. Tony

[@tonyjohnson2265]

Ha ha. Perhaps I should have watched the whole video before asking my question. To quote Homer Simpson "DOH". Thanks again.

[@simonlunt353]

I like your jig l was reading somebody’s else’s comments about the T Track is 19 mm and we have 18 mm ply how about laminating the 18 mm ply or if you know how to use a belt sander just sand off the T track it’s just aluminium l am going to make this jig as l do like useing routers stay safe and thanks for your video 👏👏👍

[@HookedonWood]

Agree, but you can also turn it around when you have to make wider grooves. Just be careful when you clamp it though.

[@paulturk6727]

👍

[@LubosMedovarsky]

As Dennis says, "thank you for a nice fideo" ;-)

[@stuurmaardoor]

Hi Dennis, what a cool jig/template. The plywood is 18 mm thick, the t-track is 19 mm. On the top of the jig the t-track thus is 1 mm higher than the surface of the wood. This will cause the router to wobble because it is not flat on the jig isn’t it? And the angle of the bit will not be 90 degrees to the material. It’s not much but still. Or am I wrong?

[@HookedonWood]

No, you are right. Best is, that it fits. It does not wobble with smaller cuts. Otherwise, one solution is to turn the jig around with wider grooves. But then you need to be careful with clamping.

[@wimbrys]

Hey Dennis, another great video. Can you inform us which router bit you use with the Makita at 1:45? I know that most of the time you use CMT bits, do you have experience with router bits from Banggood? Thnx for the feedback and your videos. Wim

[@HookedonWood]

Ho Wim, this is the bit I have. Very satisfied with it. Not cheap tough. But in smaller sizes more affordable. www.igmtools.com/igm-192-downcut-spiral-router-cutter-hwm-z2--d10x32-l80-s-8/

[@keesvanderlinden1313]

Dennis, Your router base has two flat sides and two rounded sides. Yet you are using the rounded sides in stead of the flat sides to follow your jig or guide rail. Do you do that on purpose? To me it seems obvious to use the flat sides to ride against the jig or guide rail in order to prevent wobbling (which you can see fairly good in your video). Anyway, thanks for the clear and very usefull explanation!!

[@HookedonWood]

Hi Kees, I will come to this point in one of my next video's. Thanks for your question.

[@Mathieu0702]

Hey Dennis, I see you are also using the Matchfit clamping system. Do you reckon it would be possible to replace the T-tracks on by a dovetail grove? Or is 18mm ply a little too thin to route the dovetail track in?

[@HookedonWood]

I think you can indeed also do it with the matchfit system

[@bradleytuckwell4854]

Have a look at thosa channel he does the same jig without t track. It’s just plywood and for bolts. I made it and it’s awesome he makes a vice to which can tilt I think you might enjoy that

[@nicomonkeyboy]

Magic hammer @ 12:18

[@danielegger6460]

Hm, have you done any adjustments to your Makita router plunge base so the depth stop will remain at the set depth? Not matter how much I tighten the screw the threaded rod will always come lose after a while and mess with my depth of cut which is kind of annoying. Maybe the corded version has so much power that it can't keep up with the vibration?

[@HookedonWood]

I have no problems with mine! Luckily 😀

[@jonathank7221]

Hi Dennis, thanks for this great video! A question about the router template: in practice, doesn't it bother you that the tracks stick out by 1mm over the thickness of the plywood? If you run your router base on top of the template (for example with a bushing) the router bit will hit the material at an angle other than 90 degrees, right? If there were any T-tracks 18mm wide, would you choose these? Or 19mm plywood? Hypothetically of course; neither of these are available off the shelf to my knowledge.

[@HookedonWood]

Yes, that is not ideal at all

[@scotttucker8095]

When discussing how to make the template gadget, you said you cut 4 pieces of 18mm plywood " 2 at 100mm, and 2 at 50mm". You meant CENTIMETERS, right? The boards look to be 50-60mm wide. Is that about right? Love your videos!

[@HookedonWood]

Yes, you are right 😀

[@markkoons7488]

Wow! 753 thumbs up and 0 down. That's unheard of. Congratulations. Cutting some slots, the dust pickup seemed not to work at all. Was the vacuum not on?

[@HookedonWood]

I some cases it was not good. Especially with the Makita.

[@derekchamberlain545]

Dennis, could you use your black MDF to make the frame? The forescolour equivalent sold by IDS here in the UK (roughly £64 per sheet including VAT) is 19mm thick, the same width as the T-track or would it be dimensionally weak as it is not laminated like plywood.

[@HookedonWood]

I would not make the frame of mdf or black mdf. For the reason you mentioned

[@derekchamberlain545]

@@HookedonWood Thanks Dennis, Thought that would be the case. Great channel, love the videos and advice!

[@mdebie9712]

Nl ?

[@phcalama]

I'm a little confused. For Option 3 - The Smart Way (at minute 5) how did you avoid having the router bit ride against the miter track bars? Did you use a bushing or a top bearing trim bit that was sized in such a way that the bearing rode against the bottom rail of the template track?

[@HookedonWood]

Hi Paul, Good question, I have to set up the bearing against the under or upper piece of the T-track indeed. So, not in the middle.

[@NickBR57]

@@HookedonWood Turn it over, have the t-track on the workpiece (with four pieces forming a rectangle it is stable) and run the router on the wood side.

[@steven731027]

Dag Dennis. Ik zag je een spiraalbit gebruiken als ik het goed heb. Is dat een spiral up of down. Tweede vraag waar heb je de self centering boor vandaan. Bedankt voor de weer een prachtige video.

[@HookedonWood]

Spiral bit is deze: www.igmtools.com/igm-192-downcut-spiral-router-cutter-hwm-z2--d10x32-l80-s-8/ Centering bit is van Festool. Banggood heeft ze ook maar die zullen zeker minder lang mee gaan. Maar zijn wel veel goedkoper. Alleen het veersysteem is niet zo degelijk.

[@steven731027]

Dank je wel Dennis

[@ROBROSSUK]

Hi. Did you make this template? If so have you produced any plans for this?

[@HookedonWood]

No, I do not have plans. You have to do It with the information from the video. Sorry

[@ea3gug]

Hi Dennis, thanks for the video, I'm going to try to build the template, is it advisable to use MDF to build it? The MDF I can find locally is 19mm that is just the height of the T-track, the plywood is either 18mm or 20mm. Thank you also for your great and motivating work!

[@HookedonWood]

I think I would choose 20mm plywood and align it at one side. This ia the most stable when using your router and the plywood has the most grip when you have to tighten the T-track with screws.

[@jbuitendam9236]

Top mijn lijstje voor Banggood is weer klaar

[@phcalama]

Hi Dennis. I assume you meant 100 centimeter sand 50 centimeters (and not millimeters) for the lengths of the template pieces.

[@HookedonWood]

Hi Paul, Yes that is what I meant :-)

[@howardbecdove9780]

I’ve looked through all the comments hoping that someone would already have asked that. 😁👍

[@themisrig]

Can you give link about drill at 12:55 ?

[@HookedonWood]

This is a festool center drill and insanely expansive. But you can find similar on Banggood site also for a more reasonable price. However, they will not last as long as the festool version.

[@needaman66]

Hi Dennis, did you mean 2 x 50cm and 2 x 100cm? Because you said for template 2 @ 100mm amd 2 @ 50mm

[@HookedonWood]

Yes, you are right :-) sorry

[@needaman66]

@@HookedonWood no worries mate, I was just checking.

[@josepalacid]

IMHO, Option 2, first cut, you could also use three or four short scrap wood pieces of 20 mm. If the guide bends, so it must do with the paper, but it seem not happened. Long pieces of offset wood are becoming expensive.

[@HookedonWood]

I agree Josep, best is to use the same thick or just thicker material as the T-track!

[@josepalacid]

@@HookedonWood You are very kind and a great person. Just a few KZbinrs are able to accept and appreciate a different opinion. Followed and belled!

[@salthead3]

If you're always going to be using the bushing with the guide, just offset the tape to cancel the offset. No more math every time you use the guide.

[@HookedonWood]

Great tip!