Premium Retention Test - Router Table Essentials

Router Table Essentials

A router table adds a LOT to the shop. With the amazingly diverse availability of router bit profiles, there are many different things you can do on a router table; from edge profiling to joinery. Thanks to the high rpm of a router motor, the cut quality is great, typically requiring very little sanding. With George Vondriska as your instructor, this online video Class will give you many important tips and fundamentals – helping you to get the most out of your router table.

Safety

The same attribute that provides great cut quality can make routers intimidating to operate. Typically running at over 20,000 revolutions per minute, things can go wrong quickly if you’re not using a router correctly. This Class covers a variety of must-have safety tips including how to properly secure the bit in the collet, determining feed direction, setting up for multiple passes, and how to use feather boards and push pads. .

Buying Advice

There are lots of routers available in the marketplace. This Class will educate you regarding the best type of router to use in a table, and we’ll look at the advantages router lifts bring to router tables. .

Maintenance

While the router table itself requires little more than good housekeeping, router bits are another story. A dull or dirty bit will be unsafe to use, and will cut poorly. We’ll show you how to determine if a bit needs to be sharpened, how to do the sharpening in your own shop, and how to clean a pitch-covered router bit. .

Techniques

Dadoes, rabbets, slot cutting… these are just some of the woodworking techniques you’ll learn in this Class. We’ll show you short cuts that will make set up easier and more repeatable, so you can reduce set up time and increase accuracy.

There are over 100 minutes of hands-on video instruction in this Class. In addition to the detailed video help you’ll receive, this Class provides you with some downloadable resources and helpful information to print and keep, including: A detailed Class Guide you can follow and use as a reminder for the key points of the class instruction; a Speed Chart to help you determine the best speed to run your bits; and a resources document that will give you information on the products you’ll see in the Class.

NOTE: This Class video instruction is also available for purchase in DVD form. If you prefer to own a physical copy, you can purchase the Class DVD here.

BONUS MATERIALS FOR THIS CLASS

PRINTABLE CLASS GUIDE PDF
Download and print this PDF Guide to complement your Class. It’ll be a good reminder for you on many Router Table tips.

SPEED CHART PDF
Use this handy reference guide to help determine the appropriate RPM speed to run your bits.

CLASS RESOURCES PDF
See this list of tools, suppliers and reference information related to this Class.

VIDEO: MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Download this short video to meet your class instructor, George Vondriska.

VIDEO: INTRO TO ROUTER TABLES
Download this short video to hear George talk about the versatility and value of good router table skills.


Session 1: Getting Started

Fixed base, plunge base, router lift….what’s the best set up for your router table? We’ll take a look at different styles of routers to learn what’s best for you. .

Your router bit education includes choosing between 1/4” and 1/2″ shanks, how to properly install a bit in a collet, determining if a bit is dull, how to sharpen it if it is dull, and more.

Once you know how to set up your router table and install a bit, we can move on to making cuts. There’s a lot involved with this including use of feather boards and push sticks and how to set up for multiple light passes.


Session 2: Making Clean Cuts

A router table can provide incredibly clean cuts, provided you use it correctly. Routing end grain often leads to chipping on the exit side of the cut. We’ll have a look at different ways to avoid this, including following the correct sequence of cuts, and using a great shop-made push pad to control the cuts and prevent chipping.


Session 3: Techniques

The router table provides a great way to make dadoes, rabbets, and slots. Even in delicate veneered material you’ll find that the cut quality is great. You’ll learn to create through and stopped dadoes, and how to make a dado or groove the perfect width. .

We’ll also teach you:

  • How to use a keyhole bit; perfect for hanging things on the wall.
  • Two different techniques for trimming to a pattern, providing a great way for making multiple parts.
  • How to use the router table to make custom dowels.

Session 4: Class Summary

George wraps up this Class with a reminder to practice the processes and skills you learned on the router table – and you’ll be on your way to using this versatile tool for many projects in your shop.


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45 Responses to “Premium Retention Test - Router Table Essentials”

  1. Johnroger Lackups

    This was the most fantastic video I have seen.

  2. Robert Taylor

    Fantastic

  3. Jon

    What grit is your diamond sharpening pad? I see many for sale that are a set of a range of grits.

  4. Barry

    I've been using a router table for a long time. I learned a lot from this video. THANK YOU George. I watch all of your videos & have learned a lot.

  5. Mike

    Excellent class George!

  6. ANDRÉ RACINE

    I learn a lot, thank you

  7. Stephen Tambolas

    The pivot on the fence is brilliant. Also, using two bits for pattern routing is a great technique. I'll admit to buying longer and longer bits. Previously for stop dados I was using a plunge router, which at times was difficult, even with a good straight edge. I'm looking forward to trying the techniques shown here. Good class.

  8. ken erickson

    I like to make 2 keyhole slots in my projects. The centerlines of slots are spaced at a convenient distance. That way I can locate screws/nails on the wall at that distance and make them level. I could route as you did, but I made a little jig and used a trim router. No side-to-side movement and total slot distance as desired. I removed some chips by backing router in slot to get most of them. Overall, this was a very informative video series,

  9. Lee Hogan

    Very informative ~ I’ll be trying new things on my router. Thank you.

  10. Dave Dickson

    Thank you George! I'm the type of person who does better when shown how to do something rather then read how it's done. I'm so glad I became a Gold Member. These are really helpful. Dave