How to Use a Router Table -- WOOD magazine

The router is one of the most useful tools in your woodworking shop, and just a few bits will allow to embellish your projects. The addition of a router table opens op even more possibility for making joints and more. In this video, WOOD magazine's Jim Heavey shows you how to use a router table and some useful accessories for make a router table safer and more versatile.
Jim demonstrates how to use your router table to:
* Make trim for projects
* Joint board edges
* Make dowels
* make identical furniture parts using templates
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[@loulossi1003]

I met Jim Heavey at a woodworking show several years ago. He is as nice in person as he is in this video and probably one of the best instructors ever. His enthusiasm and positive approach make him a gift to the profession.

[@jamespatch4621]

Lou Lossi

[@kennyc388]

Too bad all instructional videos aren't as well produced as this one. Great video, audio and clear explanation. Thank you!

[@thetony1973]

I'm a UK Carpenter, too many years in to say,..... pitchin roofs mainly, Can I just say that this kind of video is Top Notch, even as experienced as I am, I still found this nice to watch and have showed it to my son, well done and keep up the good work. Outstanding. Bonsai!

[@westgoten]

"What a beautiful jointed edge" This guy's the Bob Ross of woodworking :)

[@munch15a]

I was just thinking that

[@godislove8740]

Jointed as in joint-able? Didn't understand that part at all.

[@musiqclub9725]

Jim thanks so much for this video! This is one of the few power tools my dad left for me in his passing. I haven't figured out how it works and haven't quite had the courage to use a router yet so this will be nice to incorporate into my woodworking.

[@gaminawulfsdottir3253]

Years ago, I built my own router table. Now, thanks to this video, I know how to use it. This is a well-made video, with good camera work, excellent commentary and instruction, clear audio, and no distracting background music. You have earned my subscription.

[@jlh5995]

Hey Jim Heavey, thank you so much for the tutorial on use of the router table safely for creation of trim moulding, dowels, jointed edges, and free hand routing. Really appreciate the time and effort in making this tutorial.

[@mr.g5963]

Man, you're instructions are crystal clear and very easy to follow

[@isowrdful]

Clear and concise. Thanks for not including music.

[@horseyhorsecall]

I just got my first router table. I found this video extremely useful. Well done!

[@jamesmboyerii]

This guy is awesome - solid information, good educator, and left with a motivational snappy feeling Top Marks Sir!

[@kirkmuffie7542]

Loved your video. Just bought a router and a table and I'm setting it up this weekend so I have been binge watching everything I can about routers.

[@augustasugarbean3348]

"And of course the object is to have all four legs on the floor at the same time" LOL. Thank you for an instructive video. The close up of the feather boards was helpful. Thank you!

[@larrys639]

I love watching Jim's videos- Master craftsman!

[@Bonezz024]

Cannot overstate how much I love this video. Thank you!

[@INNYAFACCE]

THANKS FOR THE dowel TIP- that hs become my new GO- TO for oversized Dowels

[@Jamus1975]

Great video. Loved the jointer tip. My old jointer never got a great edge like that could.

[@helenhart5737]

So many things that can be said but to sum it up - inspirational -

[@johnposavec8457]

Thanks for providing examples following your verbal instructions. Very helpful!!!

[@chevy5137]

That tip on how to prevent chip out on pieces was great I will definitely have to use that technique because I have had chip out on my ends quite a few times!

[@urbannpa]

Best Routing video I've watched. Got some new ideas for setups.

[@MJFAN666]

That dowelling technique. OP

[@williamlyles3802]

Great training video, it is refreshing to see someone passionate about the same things we are.

[@salvatoregiacinto2838]

This is one of the best made videos out there. Very good tips and the pattern template thing is so incredibly useful. Thanks!

[@sergeantcrow]

The people below have already expressed my thoughts. ... A pleasure to listen and learn... Only ever used my router for door hinges and lock plates on sites... for years.. Now with new D.I.Y .table I can have great time !

[@tristanmarkham5136]

Very useful info for those new to woodworking such as myself.

[@Robocoppat]

I've been welding and fabricating for over 35 years. I've been working with and building with wood almost as long. No matter what tool I'm using, I have the upmost respect for each one. I bought a Ryobi router about 20 years ago and tried using it one time, however it scared me a little, and being respectful of all of my tools, I never used it again. I'm planning on getting into building various projects using both metal and wood. My question is: " Would it be better and/or easier for me to use a router table for my projects, or should I learn how to use a handheld router? Great video 👍👍. Consider me a subscriber.

[@mariusvanniekerk7707]

Must admit, this was quite informative. Thanks from South Africa 🇿🇦

[@johnmartin774]

Thank you for a very good video... without background music!

[@stevenmparish]

Very cool. Very impressed. The bit about making dowl gave me new ideas on how to make a hickory scalloped lacrosse shaft. I can now make 4 less difficult rips and have no need to jig or clamp for the routing.

[@jopperdepopper]

Ooh! I like the dowel bit! 👌👍

[@lornekletke6461]

Well done video! Thank you for a no-nonsense, easy to follow and understand tutorial. Learned so much.

[@michaelbritton9778]

I have recently inherited a router table have a couple of minor repairs to do and need a new collet nut for the router but will certainly take on board a few of your ideas brilliant enjoyed it

[@chrislambert9435]

Thankyou for this presentation . . . Chris . . . Norwich, England

[@erictaasan2910]

Thanks for sharing.. From Philippines

[@veejays.]

ironically enough the first thing that comes out is that they have to do it on a daily schedule because the other two people have been working for them

[@trumpeterchris]

Great video. Infectious enthusiasm!

[@nickydee3088]

What a great video, thank you !!

[@Geolojas]

Great video! The pattern bit makes sense for the first time ever.

[@jessicabuckman9675]

You've given me quite a few good ideas, nice job.

[@javannorth4911]

nice steady explanation. Thanks

[@Troyster94806]

This was a very helpful video! I just purchased a router and router table, so this was a great introduction.

[@haroldrull4943]

I learned more on routing technics, Thank you.

[@TheJosa007]

It's got to be a pleasure to create something like that and especially how to use the table and the bits

[@oneemcme]

An excellent video. Very useful tips explained clearly and concisely.

[@bewellofnorthamerica4363]

thank you. I learn a lot from this video.

[@anthonyss3036]

Ok mind blown...using it as a jointer is an awesome thing to learn...and you can make a dowel using it?? whoa...

[@stephenforrow2333]

Excellent and concise. Thank you

[@coolinken]

Great video and instruction. Thanks!

[@brianbelliveau5551]

Nicely done some good tips thanks for sharing

[@petermeijer3019]

Good tutorial! Good job very well explained and good results. Thank you for sharing.

[@maxwang2537]

Great video. Thanks. What I wanted to work out was how to secure the template to the piece by a means other than gluing?

[@mrcolesenglish1401]

Really well done. Thank you for being direct and clear. Please make more, lol.

[@beemanrunning977]

Just what I was looking for. Thanks!

[@Travel2EuropeUS]

Well done

[@adamfloyd4895]

Awesome video. Very clear and concise.

[@jameshibbert9813]

Great video, I found the booklet of directions confusing. An old trick I used to install the router was turning the table on its side. Then I used an awl to line up one hole. Your video has helped me. Thanks JLH

[@chrisjohnson6482]

Just a note, the feed direction is actually *relative to the router bit from the perspective of the work piece* . What does this mean? Well in many cuts, your router bit will be buried into the fence, so both you and the workpiece will share a perspective, meaning you will move the material from right to left. But what about router tables where the fence moves back to allow you to make offset cuts? Well, if you're putting the material in between the router bit and the fence, then actually your perspective has flipped. It's still right to left from the perspective of the workpiece, but now you are on the opposite side of the bit from the material, which means from *your* perspective you'll actually be feeding left to right. If you are ever unsure, put yourself physically on the side of the bit that the material is on, and move your hand from right to left to see which direction the material moves. Now move to the actual position you will be standing from -- in front of the router table -- and don't change that motion.

[@camilovivas8074]

Great Tutorial. Thanks.

[@andrewwalley9589]

I’ve always been intimidated by legs until this video! Awesome.

[@marcioluislorenzi]

Great tip Jim! Thank you my friend

[@rois1986]

Awesome video

[@thetwogardens6048]

Good video presentation . Thankyou !

[@drampadreg1386]

I love these videos, well done and easy to follow so thanks for that. How about a video with instructions for making a magazine rack and folding table for the wood workers wash room? You'd be surprised how many plans are completed in the wash room or orifice office as I like to call it. The folding table would attach to the wall opposite to the toilet and have storage for pencils and a small square etc. That's where I keep most of my wood working magazines, I've committed many plans to memory in there. I went to the web page to see the router table plans, it's cheaper to buy the back issue with the plans than the plans alone! The magazine will have more to keep me busy so I'll go with that and save a couple bucks in the process!

[@PeterWheeldon]

I like the formica tip. When you think about it, getting a straight edge the full length of the piece is practically impossible but this would be as close as you'd get without a CNC.

[@Freedom1776usa]

thx. great tips

[@mikec3702]

Thank you, very well done great vid! This guy is right on!!

[@iiu212]

that bit on using the laminate is gold. Saves me from buying a jointer

[@robertmecalis7030]

Thanks

[@toddallvord9331]

Good job..

[@iSpike]

SIMPLY BRILLIANT July 2020 Cheers 👍🏻

[@User-bb3ke]

This guy rocks

[@monaseul7698]

Awesome. Just what I needed

[@reparandodetodo3768]

Very good info I put all my attention to the instructions Thank you Sir

[@joshuawhite3497]

Thanks for the video. I am just starting out messing around making floating shelves, shelves in my wife's laundry room. If I knew you could do all this will allow router table I would have saved a lot of $ on other tools I bought. Do you have a video on how to know what to adjust you router and router table to when working on pieces, or is it mostly trail and error?

[@resultcarpentry5869]

Excellent video and explanation- Many thanks 🏆

[@PIANOSTYLE100]

Great video. I all the bits. Just have to build a table.

[@peterkovak7801]

Excellent tutorial Sir! Thanks a lot for uploading it!

[@bereantrb]

Really appreciated the jointer and template tips.

[@beastlybombers]

Way to go Mr. Heavey. Love it

[@Rustynuckles1]

thank you so much for the video.

[@gypsycruiser]

Brilliant video

[@wulfrestainbravu761]

yooooo woodshop pretty fire ngl

[@paulmeynell8866]

Brilliant thank you

[@dalewaters1382]

Excellent, thanks for the help

[@zephead69zoo92]

Great video. Thank you sir

[@AngeliqueKaga]

I loved your video!

[@e.l.roylance1020]

Your video is informative and very easy to watch. A “Pro” job. I’m putting my new router table together today and have been reviewing tips on how to make the most of the table. I will look into your magazine and other informative clips you have. Thanks !

[@vladimirmeshchankin7090]

Amazing video ! Thank you !!!

[@Trainman0401]

Always enjoy your videos. Great tips! Question.....you mentioned to always feed your work from right to left when using the fence. What rule applies when working freestyle without the fence (example...making the legs for the table)? Thanks!

[@Tasjudoka]

That’s awesome. I hope I can get to doing this stuff one day

[@robertmecalis7189]

Great video 👍

[@derekcorreia7135]

Amazing, thanks you sir!!

[@fizzo1217]

Great. Video

[@davidcrandell1172]

Thank you for posting

[@Zioluideecreative]

thanks friend....by Luc from Italy

[@OperationNorthwoods]

Please clarify this for me. I have used routers a lot, and I recently purchased the Bosch RA1181 table and have successfully mounted my new Skil 1322-00 router underneath it. The router table's center aluminum plate (on which the router is mounted) reads "Rotation" on its surface with a counterclockwise arrow. As your video states, the work should be fed right to left. However, feeding it right to left with the bit spinning counterclockwise creates the situation of the work being pulled away from the operator and. possibly, being shot out as if from a slingshot. This seems counter intuitive because the operator doesn't have complete control over the work and tool. What am I missing here? I love woodworking but don't feel completely comfortable with this table. Thank you for your assistance.

[@malmalhi007]

ty ... nice one!!!! and yes I loved it.. gave me a lot of ideas!!!

[@SteveK99Sub]

Can you recommend a good pattern bit to purchase? Do you need multiple length bits or one about 1 1/2" long be good. Appreciate the help

[@ChanceD2]

Great video. Thanks!