93, страница 9
comfort is the shape of the D-handle places your arm in a more relaxed, pushing position. Plunge Base. The other common base option is a plunge base, as you can see in the photo at right. You'll find that getting a plunge base is like adding a second router to your workshop. With this base, you can tackle tasks like stopped dadoes, grooves, and mortises with ease. One feature that I really like is how simple it is to use multiple passes to make deep, accurate cuts. There's one other benefit from getting either a D-handle or plunge base. You can use either one for all your hand-held routing tasks and attach the fixed base to your router table. This makes switching between the two hassle free. SELF-CLAMPING GUIDES Routing dadoes and grooves with a straight bit is a common handheld router task. And the key to getting an accurate cut is guiding the router. To do that, I turn to a self-clamping, straightedge guide (main photo on the opposite page). The Right Size. This aluminum guide comes in a variety of lengths (up to 144"). But I've found that a two-foot model takes care of most of my needs. The guide clamps to a workpiece with a cam clamp and a sliding jaw. And the smooth aluminum sides provide a dead straight reference for your router. Using the Guide. The guide provides an accurate edge, but you still need to account for the offset of the bit from the reference edge. That's why I made a simple gauge block, as shown in the main photo on the facing page. (You'll need to make one for each bit size.) To use the block, all you have to do is align the notch with the layout line, butt the guide to the end of the block, and clamp it down. Now you're ready to start routing. LOW-COST ACCESSORIES Something I've noticed about working with a router is that small details can make a big impact on the quality of the work. And these next two accessories fall into that category. They don't cost much, ▲ Carpet Tape. Clamps can get in the way while using a template. Carpet tape allows you to temporarily secure a template without fuss. ▲ Plunge Base. With an auxiliary plunge base, you can leave the standard base attached to your router table for fast changes between setups. but can really make routing more accurate and safer. Depth Gauge. An important part of using your router is accurately setting the bit depth. For years, I used a combination square. But eyeballing the bit against the ruler can be a challenge. So I picked up a simple, set-up gauge (lower photo on the opposite page). To use it, move the bit up or down until it makes contact with the stepped profile of the gauge. Carpet Tape. All of the items that I mentioned so far are dedicated router accessories. So the carpet tape shown at left might not seem like an "accessory" at first. However, once you use it, it's sure to find a permanent place in your router cabinet. One of the ways I use carpet tape with my router is flush trimming a workpiece with a template. Ordinary clamps often get in the way while routing and the template can shift when you reposition the clamps. But a few strips of carpet tape can provide just enough "clamping power" to hold the template in place while I trim the workpiece to size. The accessories shown here are just a few ways to add new capabilities for your router Turn the page to learn about six more. 9 |
