Woodworker's Journal winter-2010, страница 10

sized machine. For all-around woodworking, a mid-sized router is the workhorse of both serious hobbyists and professional shops.

Within this middle category of routers, you have two base style options from which to choose: fixed and plunge. A fixed-based router can be set to a full range of cutting depths, and the handles are positioned near the bottom of the base, so it has a pleasantly low center of gravity. However, a fixed base won't allow you to plunge the bit into the wood. You'll need to turn off the router and reset the motor in the base to change the cutting depth. Fixed-base routers can be used for general profiling or other cutting operations, provided you can feed the bit into the edge of the wood. They're also the usual choice for router tables.

Plunge bases are different ani

Three Categories Designed to Satisfy Many Applications

Routers are made in three basic sizes to accomplish a wide range of purposes. Trim routers (left) are intended to trim laminate and veneer and perform light-duty template or profiling tasks. Mid-sized routers (center) are the "bread-and-butter" machines for template work, moderate profiling and joinery. Full-sized routers (right) are designed for heavy-duty operations and router table use.

small dadoes and even fine joinery, so it will continue to be a useful tool as your skills grow. For many jobs, I actually prefer a trim router's small size and ease of control over larger machines.

Mid-size Makes Sense

Of course, a mid-sized router will accomplish bigger jobs than a

trim router can. Here, we're talking about a 1.75- to 2.25hp machine that requires two-handed operation with either a fixed-or plunge-style base. If you want just one router to do most every kind of routing task, including moderate to large profiling cuts, dovetailing and mortising, definitely set your sights on a mid

If one machine needs to cover the whole gamut of routing for your shop, choose a mid-size plunge router. While it may not be the ideal solution for every operation, you'll find it to be amply powered and feature-packed.

10 GETTING STARTED IN ROUTING