Essential Router Skills - Tips, Tricks and Buying Advice

[@katzmosestools]

BitsBits is the BEST place to buy router bits: bit.ly/BitsBits USE CODE JKATZMOSES15 for 15% off (P.S. I know I suck at saying collet sizes. What you need to know is the big routers have 1/2 inch collets and the smaller ones have 1/4" collets.)

[@john-rosscosta3252]

Katz-Moses Woodworking Shop still waiting for my ultimate router jig lol 😁

[@katzmosestools]

hahaha

[@wb_finewoodworking]

Katz-Moses Woodworking Shop, this is an outstanding introduction to using a router. You put a lot of information into a short time frame. It’s one I’ll refer back to. I’ve been looking at smaller routers and love my full size Bosch so your recommendation of the Colt sounds good. The next time I can justify the purchase of a smaller router or I see a good sale I’ll have to pick one up.

[@katzmosestools]

WB Fine Woodworking it really is amazing! Thanks bud!

[@BradsWorkbench]

What brand of router bits do you recommend for an affordable option?

[@andyjame5608]

I just finished building the handrail on my deck kzbin.infoUgkxfQ5_mgwq6PcudJvAH25t-I4D-3cTPz4z and used this great little router to clean up the top rail before the final sanding and stain. It was light weight but packed lots of power. Either size battery didn't seem to make it top heavy and I'm a 64 yr old women so I really appreciated how easy it was to use...................... CORDLESS only way to go !!

[@odw32]

Amazing video! One more important tip: If you're a new user, practice every cut a few times on pieces of scrap wood.

[@katzmosestools]

Agree 100%

[@MyBlowncobra]

@@katzmosestools what? You mean I cant just load and shoot from the hip....ahhh man there goes tomorrow's entertainment..

[@CarAudioInc]

lmao practice is for pussies dawg

[@sail4life]

@@MyBlowncobra Hmm. great idea for a fun video! A battery router based hip-fire board launcher jig...

[@richardslater677]

I’ve watched literally hundreds of woodworking videos and I really wish they were all like this one. There is no wasted time, every second counts, it’s full of really useful information with absolutely no filler. He doesn’t fancy himself as a comedian, no wacky stuff, his pets and kids are nowhere to be seen and there is no cheesy music. Most videos would take two hours to give that sort of information. If some part really interested me and it went too fast, no problem, just run it again. The vid wasn’t full of advertising and he didn’t waste half his time begging for likes, subscriptions and notifications. This should be used as a tutorial on how to make an instructional KZbin video. Thanks very much. You certainly got my “subscribe”

[@tombiggs4687]

Thanks, I appreciated the high-level view very much. People here complaining about "too much too fast" kinda missed the point. This video introduces a whole lot I might not have known otherwise, and I can deep-dive on any topic when I have a need to use it.

[@jjsmama401]

I recently bought a Bosch Colt router and I love it. One tip for new users: when using the edge guide, tighten it as hoards as you can, because it will slip as you go if it's not super tight, and ruin your straight cut (I was doing a plunge cut). Make several passes, taking out a small amount of wood each time, then go back over it repeatedly, or go very slow. Routers are powerful and so much fun! Definitely wear eye and ear protection!

[@CoachTMAC]

I know I am an old man, but thanks. The last time I had someone talk woodworking that I could actually understand was 1979. Never too old to learn. 👍👍

[@gastonlaberge2119]

Man Take a breath now and again

[@FisherCatProductions]

LOVE your concise, no BS approach to this video (subscribed!). Learned more in 10 minutes than watching 2 hours of other vids! Your philosophy of making your initial bit purchase an inexpensive set is right on. Until you do this for a while you have no idea what bits your will use for your work style. There are soooo many and you'll want to try them all, but you will only use a select few. Once you figure that out, buy good quality replacements. Thanks for getting me interested in learning more about my routers--they are probably the most versitile, most neglected tools in my shop!

[@dpmakestuff]

Possibly the best router skill videos I’ve ever seen. Great advice and a totally agree about buying cheap bits first!

[@katzmosestools]

Dustin Penner yeah that was a tough lesson to learn. I have about 150 bucks worth of bits I've never touched. Thanks bud!

[@EscapeMCP]

Yeah totally +1 on cheap bits to start. It makes you appreciate the good bits when you do blow £30 on them and you understand why they cost that much. I got the Triton router down from your one (MOF001) and it's an awesome bit of kit for the money (especially if you plan to use it in a table and factor in the cost of not having to buy a router lift). For my trim router, I have a Katsu trim router which is a really good Chinese knockoff of the Makita (the one with the metal (not plastic) base) . For £35 ($45) it's a brilliant little router and compatible with all the Makita add-ons. It's far better (cheaper) though just to buy Katsu's own bases for it as they are again much cheaper than the Makita ones (tip for the Makita owners: they also fit the Makita trim router ;) Due to the extremely cheap cost of the Katsu, you can have a couple of them dedicated to single tasks such as flush trimming or rounding over to save time on bit changes.

[@bethsmith1003]

My God the information! Why can’t everyone do like this! Yes I will rewatch but at least not bored!

[@andy2253]

I am the farthest thing from a Dewalt fan boy but the Dewalt DW621 is one of the best buys in routers. Excellent dust/chip extraction and great ergonomics. I have many routers but I mostly reach for the Dewalt or one of my Festool routers. I hate messes and the chip extraction capabilities on these routers is awesome!

[@TheTimHill]

This is an advanced use video. 3 minutes in and I had no idea what he’s talking about. I need to buy one and use it for a few years before I understand

[@talderson1]

Really grown to enjoy this channel. Thanks for the great videos. I am looking for a router now and this has helped tremendously.

[@dierenfilmpjes5136]

*I just finished building the handrail on my deck **MyBest.Tools** and used this great little router to clean up the top rail before the final sanding and stain. It was light weight but packed lots of power. Either size battery didn't seem to make it top heavy and I'm a 64 yr old women so I really appreciated how easy it was to use...................... CORDLESS only way to go !!*

[@HikingWithCooper]

Good demonstration about grain direction. I hadn't considered that aspect.

[@renegadewa4183]

I've been a carpenter and woodworker for about 35 years and by far my favorite tools have been the various routers that I've owned and used over the years. It's limitless as to what you can do with them. A good piece of advice to first time router users is the same as with any power tool. Let the tool do the work. It's called a power tool for a reason. All you have to do is guide it and let it do what it was meant to do. You will be amazed and very satisfied the first time you create something with your router.

[@tonygore5758]

I love your no bullshit approach to teaching.❤

[@michaeltholen7508]

Some pretty technical stuff in here! I really appreciate the honest explanation of a climb cut scenario, the very rare "why" it might come up, And yet the confidence to explain how to do it correctly, and as a safe as possible. Tldr: don't do climb cuts I'd you don't understand the techno babble, and don't turn on your router until you understand a climb cut vs.conventional

[@Krzemieniewski1]

Hand router is most useful tool in my workshop. I bought old festo for something funny price with edgeguide round bigger base and smaller square. I use it a lot

[@nerfmadeeasy]

Thank you for the pro-tip regarding router bearings & assuring securment.

[@alanbrandt999]

One of the best router videos I've seen! Thanks!

[@charlesbennard1272]

This the best advice about routers on the internet .thanks don't know how it took me so long to get to ur channel .. subscribed

[@TheSteveoTube]

Great video. I have nothing negative to say. I like that you told everyone to just start out with a cheap set/assortment of router bits and replace them as needed with a nice quality bit. Gives you a lot of options to experiment with. I'd also recommend that if you are a contractor/apprentice that takes their tools to a job site to work, as opposed to having a woodshop, search for a reasonably priced router bit set that comes in a quality case. Space is always an issue, but you will need to have your most common bits available and organized.

[@Steve-dr7rr]

I would like to say thank you for the videos sir I find them very interesting and helpful. Most of the time I have no idea what you are talking about as I’m a complete novice and don’t know all the terminology you use. Plus I’m disabled and had 2 strokes and lost my short term memory and have trouble saying certain words or even typing them. I tend to have to re watch your videos about 5 times when I can. Sorry I didn’t buy any plans as yet as could only get the free ones but hopefully I might be able to get your stop block but have nothing to put it on as still trying to build my shed which keeps leaking. Hard to do in wheelchair but getting 5here. Sorry for rambling on but keep up the fantastic work and videos you do I have no idea what I’m going to do once I start as you have more talent in your little finger than I do total Many thanks again 👨🏼‍🦽🇬🇧👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@spyrit35]

I appreciate this video... there's LOTS of great information included...... that being said, the pace is pretty extreme and without more "illustration segnents" it's really hard to follow... I think this could been a 4 part series... but we'll done and thanks.

[@MuddyPuttersDG]

I’m waaay lost. Is this gonna be on the midterm?

[@1TUFZ71]

Agreed. Way too much focus on the router table and guides for beginners. Makes it harder to visualize just using the actual palm router (most people's starting point).

[@tombiggs4687]

I appreciated it as a quick high-level overview. I can deep-dive on any of those topics and techniques when I actually need to do them, but this introduces me to a variety of things I might not have known about or considered.

[@audreyyoung5154]

This is so going to help me. I have so many Tools that I know nothing about that my dad had and he had left everything to me I always wanted to make things but never learned because I didn’t have much time for my dad to work with me on the tools but now I’m flying on my own better time then never and I’m not giving away my dad tools it’s something I can learn and I’m going to

[@Guardian_Arias]

I agree with going big on the router, and cheap on the bits. Out of all the bits i have i use about 3 the most consistently. A very long and beafy straight, a round over, and a chamfer. The rest are nice to have.

[@ryanneufeld4038]

I normally don't comment on youtube videos ever... but great video! Trying to dive into the world of routers and this was super helpful.

[@9700am]

Sound advice, well presented. This is one of the first videos to say , buy cheap and replace what you use with better bits later on. I have just subscribed too. Stay safe.🇬🇧

[@HowIDoThingsDIY]

I just ordered a new router! I can't wait to try some of this!

[@barmillsmodels]

I'm learning just about everything from online videos... and boy am I glad I stumbled upon your channel... seriously... other than Stumpy.... who I really dig, I'm sure I can just hang in here and learn just about everything... really cool... thanks.

[@katzmosestools]

Thanks bud!

[@bryanhopper4727]

So much info in such a short period of time!

[@djxxxplicit]

Great tips man. I bought a Ryobi plunge router & decided to get a $20 router bit kit from Amazon. I stayed away from the Ryobi bits as the kit was for $60 with almost the same bits but as a beginner I would've messed up those pricey bits. Stay cheap & replace as needed like you mentioned is a great methodology for beginners.

[@iammontoya08]

Hey Jonathan, very comprehensive video. Congrats! I had to watch it multiple times because (constructive criticism), it's a little high energy and covers so much in every paragraph. I thank you anyway, because it was still a great video.

[@thekneesranada5075]

I'm your new subscriber and I'm a beginner in woodworking. Your videos and skills makes my interests in this work possible. Thanks for sharing your ideas. I'm from Philippines.

[@katzmosestools]

Welcome my friend!

[@thekneesranada5075]

@@katzmosestools sir can i have 1 of your extra tool(router) coz i can't afford to buy one coz it's too expensive here in our country and the product that they're selling is poor in quality..If you can't then it's OK anyway.. thank you so much.. God bless.

[@cosmicbrambleclawv2]

Very informative and helpful :D I think you're the first person I've ever heard talk about climb cuts (I have a feeling you just saved me much frustration and heartache by explaining climb cuts)

[@scox7748]

I don't have a router and I haven't seen your other videos but there's so much good info here I subscribed by halfway. good tips and practical info. thanks man.

[@katzmosestools]

Welcome my friend!

[@scox7748]

@@katzmosestools thanks. Im actually watching your dovetails guide now, even though I've never cut one. in fact I haven't even started my very first project yet :D Wood delivery tomorrow!!!

[@boronzinc1340]

You have some amazing quality for how "small" your channel is. Crazy that not more people have followed you yet. Keep up the great work!

[@ankorpilates2236]

Thank you for this video! It's helped me make a decision on which router to get after months of deliberating

[@matthewhulteen847]

Saving me alotttttt of learning the hard way! Love the video. subscribed!

[@robertgray9915]

Great information! You speak faster than I can absorb it.

[@jasonrees1659]

Great video that is very comprehensive and easy to understand. Thanks yo.

[@brentnicol6391]

This was THE best router info video I have evet seen. Keep it coming.

[@robertsnyder6982]

Thanks for this excellent informative video. Great for a novice

[@greenmouseguard]

Awesome I cant wait till I can buy one. Yeah .... Thank you Linda from Ct

[@peternguyen4202]

The production quality on this is like a TV show. Thanks for the videos, you're making really great content.

[@shadowfox929]

Lots of good info in this video, Thanks. One other thing I ALWAYS look for in a router is a TRIGGER switch. On/off switches on hand held routers can be dangerous. (IMHO) If for any reason, you should loose control of the router or get it caught in a piece of clothing, getting to that switch will be almost impossible. On the other hand, a trigger switch will shut the router down immediately. A router table is a whole different ball game. Thanks again for sharing your talent.

[@katzmosestools]

that's a great observation. What router do you have? both of mine have the onoff switch.

[@shadowfox929]

Actually, at present I have 10 routers. I had 11 but I gave one to my brother...lol. Bosch, DeWalt, Skill and Freud. I was doing my kitchen cabinets years ago and because of European hinges I had to be very careful of the depth of cut on the outer edges of the doors so once I got it right I dedicated the router to that one job. The other purchases were for power or other design considerations. Like they say, the man with the most tools wins...lol

[@katzmosestools]

hahaha that's my motto

[@codycody3898]

Absolutely love your videos man. Very helpful and educational. I learned more in ONE of your videos than I have in hours of reading and trying to teach myself. Thank you!

[@unravelingnots7544]

this is good for someone that is experienced with wood tools , however no so much for the beginner. thanks

[@ct1freak]

Routers are very useful for beginners. They can flatten and joint wood, cutting ect

[@samuelrodovalho6680]

You’re a great guy! Thanks for taking the time and explaining for us beginners in the wood working business.

[@thetaeater]

1 st time viewer of your channel. You should totally have your own TV show. Or if you lose to many fingers you could always be a DJ.

[@katzmosestools]

Hahahaha thanks bud!

[@stuffandthingsworkshop3555]

Killer advice on routers and bits! Keep it up your videos just keep getting better!

[@katzmosestools]

Stuff and Things Workshop I really appreciate it bud!

[@carpocraftguitarscarpentry8469]

Excellent advice and very concise. Thank you for sharing

[@mrph678]

Great vid. I'm just starting out on routing and this info is invaluable! now subbed

[@MrFullfatt]

Nice. Straight to the point and no bla bla bla .....

[@jaydoe3707]

Love the router bit advice... Buy a cheap set and replace the ones you use or wear out with better ones.

[@DeadByDesingOfficial]

Best info video ive watched. Had to watch it a couple of times... you need to come up for air man. Good job

[@Finksta951]

Ok I was just about to say.. That is an awfully large eighth inch lol. Love your videos.

[@hokieinidaho]

Appreciate the video! I got a bit confused @ 4:21. You state that tear out can occur if coming across end grain first. And then you seemingly proceed to state to start with end grain first. What am I missing?

[@sgtmitchell]

Amazing video. It was so easy to understand everything and learn. Thank you very much. Since being out of the Marine Corps woodworking has become a passion for me and really helps with PTSD. So thank you so much. Keep the videos coming.

[@katzmosestools]

Thank you for your service brother!

[@sgtmitchell]

@@katzmosestools Thank you for your support. It means alot.

[@colinhawkins8265]

Good timing on this. I just bought my first router (a smaller fixed base DeWalt) and have been gathering info on how to safely use it. Thanks for helping me be more prepared.

[@katzmosestools]

Colin Hawkins my pleasure bud and happy woodworking!

[@ayewin1226]

Nice advice for beginner like me. Thanks

[@Pauly365]

I love woodworking. Never used a router. Seems a little bit daunting. But I will be making a purchase soon. Lots of great info.

[@katzmosestools]

Thanks Paul!

[@Toolsish76]

Thanks for the tips, glad I watched because I was using a 45 degree chamfer bit and was just going straight for it trying to take off all of it at one time lol oops, good thing it was just a practice piece

[@TheKmkmchannel]

Totally agreed to buy a set cheap bits👍

[@greghamilton5872]

Great tips and advise Jon. Thank you! I knew I didn't know much about routers but this video helped in many other ways. I'll earmark this video for future reference!

[@abhishekroy2jan]

Wonderful advice.. Support from India

[@tomhollins9266]

Excellent fast paced tutorial. We can always slow it down or reset if we need to. Apparently speakers don't understand that and think we're in a view once classroom and they talk slowly. I end up speeding them up by 1.25 or 1.5 sometimes. Good job.

[@DanielVegter]

Subbed in the first 10 seccond, what a attitude!

[@richardgraham65]

Great video as usual, some great tips. I never used a router before, wish I had seen this video before I bought one! - I had seen a few videos where people were saying big is better, so I bought a Makita EP2301FC plunge router, this thing is 3 1/4 HP. After plucking up the courage to use it (very heavy and very powerful) I thought I had made a huge mistake - I thought this thing is going to kill me, (it still tries if you dare to try to make a climb cut, it can nearly drag me down the road. What I would suggest from my experience to anyone that is new to a router, is to buy a palm or smaller router to start with and learn to get the feel of these tools. Buy a good quality machine and good quality (reasonably priced bits) as you need them for any sort of quality of cut, but you WILL break them now and again - watch as many of these informational videos as possible then go and practice, practice and then practice! The Makita I bought is not an easy first router to learn with and by the time you have any sort of ability or confidence with it, you will have reduced half of a forest to sawdust . I don't use it enough really to justify buying it but it can do a lot more than what I am capable of, but when it goes wrong - it can make a big mess. Thanks for your videos, they make me want to get it out of the box again and start making a matchstick out of a tree!

[@zafardurrani9544]

Super Excellent and nice information, I like your efforts, I am not a professional woodworker but I am very fond of woodworking and want to make something, your this video will help me 100% because I don't know how to use the router, also ,I don't know what is difference between the Trimm Router and the other Router, please give me the guidance, Thank you for providing me the best knowledge and amazing video, My all the best wishes are with you, GOD BLESS YOU, ZAFAR FROM QUETTA PAKISTAN

[@shivercanada]

You are THE GREATEST! I'm learning so much from you as a beginner, thank you and God bless.

[@JGDGMF]

Such a very informative video man thank you for that, i bought a triton for a project and i had no idea how to use it properly or what bits to use until i saw your video.

[@katzmosestools]

Wonderful!

[@RedBatteryHead]

Great tips for newbies 👍thx.

[@MaxNoMillion]

Jake the dog has great routing tips and tricks!!

[@garethgriffin7687]

I love your channel but I felt like I had to offer a little constructive criticism - I felt like the info in this vid was coming across a bit fast and furious- I would love to see a vid with the info a bit more slowed down and focused on the palm router and the larger triton….. maybe they exist which would be my bad for not researching…. But pls keep up your awesome work as your info is invaluable- I hope this comment is not taken the wrong way🙏

[@patersonplays]

Just want to say that as an Australian, I like and appreciate the quicker way you speak. The average Aussie says about 3 sentences to the average American's (and Canadians for that matter) 1. KZbin videos can often be painful to watch due to this as we know the end of the sentence by the 3rd or 4th word and are mentally saying "C'mon! Next sentence!" Straight to the point, no waffling/tangents/wandering off to story time and packed with 2 or 3 times the info many others would have in the same length video. Top job mate and hope this helps counter any discouragement you may feel at times from less speedily inclined viewers (not a dig at them, different strokes for different folks)!

[@tintin69rr]

Great video for a newbie to routing such as myself cheers 🍻

[@calpi1]

So helpful to have links to the tools and supplies in your videos... thanks!

[@katzmosestools]

My pleasure David!

[@cartoon80s90s]

Thanks for the product links. I am very new to woodworking and looking to get a router bit set so I checked the links, but I was surprised by the huge price difference between the various amazon store. The ¼” Inexpensive Router Bit Set (MLCS 6077) costs $41 on the US amazon and €110 on the German amazon. This makes a little expensive for most hobbyists.

[@georgelumsden6696]

Great explanation of router and bits ,I'm really a novice with routers but I'm sure they can save me a lot of hard work especially as the last work bench I did the mortice and tenon with saw chisel and hammer ha ha, was very satisfying though but getting a bit old for all that exertion ,thanks so much for the information will take things slowly or I get used to the machine 👏👍😊

[@steveiv9250]

Awesome video, , very informative and to the point.

[@JoseLeon-ok2sl]

Great video. Thanks for all the info

[@timobrien2068]

Great video and very in depth informative 👍

[@egoillusion5734]

Buy cheap bits first thats amazing info so thats why I subscribe

[@Farmboy1544]

Easily the most concise router skills video on YT. Awesome job.

[@louis3998]

Dude, great advice. I know it might seem like commen sense, but I would have never thought to look at things the way you describe them, why spend money on bits you don't really use. But my by the bulk and only replace the the bits that actually get used. Im going to look at buying tools in a different perspective now. Your way actually makes sense. I feel really dumb by writing this, especial since I spend hundreds of dallors a year on tools. I don't know but maybe it was a great advice at the right moment type of thing , thank you.

[@katzmosestools]

That's wonderful to hear. Let me know how it goes. I wish you the best.

[@nonparticipant4671]

Moxican vise ; ) That was funny, but he just keeps going. Aint no stopping that J-train. Def. good advice on buying the cheaper set and finding out which you will want. One other thing is that I've found that the 1/2" shank setup will produce a better and more consistent result. Possibly due to decreased run-out in use. Anyway, thanks for the vid!

[@katzmosestools]

My pleasure bud!

[@kimlee9917]

I don’t typically comment on KZbin videos but I have to give credit where credit is due - you did a fantastic job explaining the basics of router, jigs, and straight forward functionality. I am a beginner when it comes to wood working but certainly take pride in doing things right. Thank you for taking the time to produce this video and providing tips on bit selection. I had this dilemma for quite some time now and you’ve helped me decide. Cheers!

[@devinh7821]

Awesome video. You're a smart guy.

[@carolusrex3047]

Look just like the fellow i ran into up on sherman pass that gave me some good local trail advice. Great video☕️👏🏻

[@carolusrex3047]

Hope i can find the business card this good fellow gave me, good dude, be awesome to ride sometime, cheers☕️🏔🇺🇸👏🏻

[@SableSunsets]

Sooo informational so glad I found your channel !!

[@scottygrizzle4713]

Man, you’re giving a ton of good info. Prob for me is I’m a beginner routist. 😉 Did I just make that word up? Anyway, it’s too much info too fast for me. I’m saving it and gonna take it in bite sizes. But I am definitely hanging on all of it. Thanks for the great education.

[@woodcreationwithMudita]

thank you for sharing, a lot of information I got there

[@brucenovotny5924]

Love your videos and practical wisdom and skills. Liked & subscribed. 👍🙏🇨🇦

[@drajaratnam]

Excellent overview for a beginner like myself! Thank you!

[@Woodducksrock1]

Some really good information in this video. As a woodworker with decades of time making sawdust, I found some helpful information. I was more of a chisel and handplane type of guy so the router collected more dust on the case than not.

[@John._.T]

Great video!! Just what I was looking for. Thanks for putting it together 👍

[@LassetUnsSpielen]

thats one of the mosest informative videos. thank you