Routers, Love 'em or Loath 'em

[Richard R]

Routers seem to give rise to strong opinions for and against on the Build Diaries, so I figured a quick Vox Pop would be interesting to see what the majority think.

[kodiakblair]

I'm a carpenter and think routers are wonderful tools 🙂

They are also the tool I'm the most careful with when using 👍

[SpondonBassed]

Although a simple Yes/No option without the hyperbole would have been more representative of my feelings I have voted Yes (ignoring the "can't live without it" part).

I don't use mine often but when I do, it's a powerful ally.  Like real-life allies, you must treat them right.  I consider them specialist tools that require as much respect as lathes or milling machines.

There are other ways of doing a job such as rounding over or cutting relief patterns or cut-outs with templates.  They take longer and they still involve sharp tools.  You takes your choice...

It's probably a good thing that it scares some folk otherwise we'd see more maimings.

Edited October 4, 2020 by SpondonBassed

[Jabba_the_gut]

Fantastic tools and couldn't live without mine. Good quality cutters, decent templates and patience are the key things in my experience.

[mybass]

Yes.

[spacecowboy]

For me, I love them, I really do even if my build diaries tell you otherwise...

What I dislike about them is how quickly things can go from smooth sailing to rough seas. I understand the good jig argument and agree this is essential, but in my experience even with a good jig, it'll depend on the wood you're cutting, If you're routing wenge for instance and the router catches some crossed grain it can cause catastrophic damage to your work, it'll quickly rip a good chunk out of your timber regardless of your cutting depth, alder and ash however, rarely a problem will occur.

Brilliant tools, superb finishing capabilities but unpredictably destructive at times. Like @SpondonBassed says, a healthy amount of caution and respect for the tool is essential! 

[Andyjr1515]

They are, in my view the devil's own rotating hellspawn powertool.

But there are times when only the devil's own rotating hellspawn powertool will do.

So yes, I do hate them but yes, I do use them - quite often.  But only when:

- there is no reasonable alternative

- I have thought through "what could go wrong?"  and "if it did go wrong, would I - or part of my precious project - be in the wrong place?"

- I have reminded myself of all of the 'do's and don't's' associated with this exceptionally dangerous tool 

[Dom in Dorset]

Personally I'd tick the fourth box "A necessary evil"
Mine is a cheap nasty one I bought many years ago for something none bass/guitar related , it has it's limitations but  as I'm a tight git I'm not replacing it until it falls apart. 

[robertg43]

Cant say much about them as I dont own 1 yet that is

[Baxlin]

Used mine yesterday for the first time in years, to cut a rebate into architrave. Only wasted 2 lengths before I got it right.

But then it fitted perfectly. Much better than if I’d done it by hand.

[HazBeen]

I hate routers, yet I have 3 of them  

In all seriousness, I could not do without them but even with quality bits and patience routing always raises my blood pressure. 

[kodiakblair]

On 04/10/2020 at 05:52, SpondonBassed said:

It's probably a good thing that it scares some folk otherwise we'd see more maimings.

Same for all tools 🙂

 

Back to routers.  Earlier this year I was on a contract.  Edinburgh Uni student accommodation door refurb.

4000 + doors, plenty needed the intumescent strips replaced.  Cordless router to the rescue 😎

[BassTool]

Router gets my vote.

And I am a rank amateur 🙄

[Stub Mandrel]

I have two routers and they scare the crap out of me compared to my much larger lathe, pillar drill and milling machine.

In fact woodworking machinery in general seems designed for use as horror movie props...

[Si600]

2 hours ago, Stub Mandrel said:

In fact woodworking machinery in general seems designed for use as horror movie props...

My chainsaw scares the bejeebers out of me.

[kodiakblair]

13 minutes ago, Si600 said:

My chainsaw scares the bejeebers out of me.

They don't bother me too much.

 

Got my beard tangled in an augur bit few  year back, that gave me a fright 😱

Thank God for reverse action on drills 😁

[SpondonBassed]

I'm scared of mandolin(e)

[BassTool]

13 hours ago, SpondonBassed said:

I'm scared of mandolin(e)

Yup, anything with more than four strings does the same to me 😁

[Cuzzie]

Love a router - have 2 - generally only use it as a finisher.

I try to do all the grunt work before getting it out

[Richard R]

15 hours ago, SpondonBassed said:

I'm scared of mandolin(e)

I agree with you on that! 

[Stub Mandrel]

On 06/10/2020 at 06:05, SpondonBassed said:

I'm scared of mandolin(e)

Sensible use for a small chapman stick...