62 - Box Joint Jig, страница 32

Want to make your handheld routing trouble-free? Try the shop-tested tips below.

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Trouble-Free

Hand Routing Techniques

Routing Frames

If you asked me or just about any other woodworker to run a workpiece through the jointer or table saw, we wouldn't have to give it a second thought.

When it comes to working with a stationary machine, the feed direction of the workpiece comes naturally. There's a distinct front and back to most machines, and therefore, the feed direction is automatic.

But put a router in our hands, and it seems like we always have to pause a second or two to figure out the proper feed direction — that is, which direction we should move the router along the workpiece.

Since the router isn't stationary, you can move it along the workpiece either left or right. So how do you go about figuring out what's "right?"

Right Hand is "Right" - The simplest method I've found for determining the proper routing direction (no matter what I'm routing) is something I have with me all the time — my right hand. Take a look at the detail at left, and you'll see what I mean. Start by making an 'L'

NOTE:

HAND DETAIL SHOWN ABOVE ALSO WORKS AGAINST FENCE

32 ShopNotes

with the thumb and forefinger of your right hand so the knuckles face up. Then with your 'L' "in hand," all you need to do is point your thumb. towards the edge of the workpiece you're routing. A quick look at the direction your finger points tells you which way you need to move the router along the workpiece.

What's really nice is this method works whether you're routing the inside (clockwise direction) or outside (counterclockwise) of a work-piece, as shown in the Routing Frames drawing.

And if you need to move the router along a fence to rout a groove or dado, it works just as well (Routing with a Fence drawing). But instead of your thumb pointing to the work-piece, it will point to the fence. Here again, your finger will point in the proper direction to move the router.

Breaking the Rules - This method works for most situations. But like most rules you've probably learned, this one is made to be broken. Sometimes wrong is "right" For more on this, take a look at the box on the opposite page.

Preventing Chipout - Even when you're routing in the "right" direction, you'll inevitably run across

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