Richard R Posted October 3, 2020 Share Posted October 3, 2020 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kodiakblair Posted October 3, 2020 Share Posted October 3, 2020 I'm a carpenter and think routers are wonderful tools 🙂 They are also the tool I'm the most careful with when using 👍 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpondonBassed Posted October 4, 2020 Share Posted October 4, 2020 (edited) 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 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabba_the_gut Posted October 4, 2020 Share Posted October 4, 2020 Fantastic tools and couldn't live without mine. Good quality cutters, decent templates and patience are the key things in my experience. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mybass Posted October 4, 2020 Share Posted October 4, 2020 Yes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spacecowboy Posted October 5, 2020 Share Posted October 5, 2020 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! 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted October 5, 2020 Share Posted October 5, 2020 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 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dom in Dorset Posted October 5, 2020 Share Posted October 5, 2020 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robertg43 Posted October 5, 2020 Share Posted October 5, 2020 Cant say much about them as I dont own 1 yet that is Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baxlin Posted October 5, 2020 Share Posted October 5, 2020 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HazBeen Posted October 5, 2020 Share Posted October 5, 2020 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kodiakblair Posted October 5, 2020 Share Posted October 5, 2020 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 😎 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassTool Posted October 5, 2020 Share Posted October 5, 2020 Router gets my vote. And I am a rank amateur 🙄 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stub Mandrel Posted October 5, 2020 Share Posted October 5, 2020 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... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Si600 Posted October 5, 2020 Share Posted October 5, 2020 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. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kodiakblair Posted October 5, 2020 Share Posted October 5, 2020 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 😁 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpondonBassed Posted October 6, 2020 Share Posted October 6, 2020 I'm scared of mandolin(e) 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassTool Posted October 6, 2020 Share Posted October 6, 2020 13 hours ago, SpondonBassed said: I'm scared of mandolin(e) Yup, anything with more than four strings does the same to me 😁 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted October 6, 2020 Share Posted October 6, 2020 Love a router - have 2 - generally only use it as a finisher. I try to do all the grunt work before getting it out 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard R Posted October 6, 2020 Author Share Posted October 6, 2020 15 hours ago, SpondonBassed said: I'm scared of mandolin(e) I agree with you on that! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stub Mandrel Posted October 7, 2020 Share Posted October 7, 2020 On 06/10/2020 at 06:05, SpondonBassed said: I'm scared of mandolin(e) Sensible use for a small chapman stick... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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