George Vondriska

Choosing a Router Base: Flat vs Round Side

George Vondriska
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Duration:   3  mins

There are lots of aspects of woodworking that are intuitive. Some, not so much. This is an example of not so much.

Routers and Fences

One way to guide a router through a cut is to attach a fence to the router, allowing the fence to ride along the edge of your work. An alternative approach is to attach a fence to your work, allowing the base of the router to ride along the fence. This shop-made approach is handy, since it doesn’t require you to go out and buy any router accessories. But you’ve got to make sure you’re handling this the right way.

Flat or Round?

Router bases, universally, are mostly round. Many of them have one flat portion. When you’re clamping a fence, a straight edge, to your work so you can follow it with your router, your intuition will probably tell you to let the flat portion of the router base ride along the straight edge of the fence. It seems to make perfect sense. But in practice, this is a bad idea. The video shows you why. So, why are the flat sides to router bases? It’s a mystery to me.

An Incredibly Versatile Tool

There are SO many things you can do with a router. To name just a few: joinery, decorative edges, and inlay. The router is a versatile tool, but you also need to understand how to use a router to make sure you’re using it correctly and safely.

Shop-made Jigs Help, Too

A router fence is great. Clamping a straight edge to your project works, too. But sometimes you need a slightly more specialized jig, like when you’re cutting dados with a router.

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8 Responses to “Choosing a Router Base: Flat vs Round Side”

  1. Jay

    Paul, you totally nailed it (or routed it)! I don’t know why they made the plunge base on my PC router like that. With the center of gravity so high, it’s hard enough keeping the router flat and not tipping it even slightly. The larger the base diameter (and its contact with the work piece), the more stable the router will be.

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hi Ken. I was going to lay the router on its side while I wasn’t using it, this would prevent it from rolling. Other than that, I don’t think I would use it.
      Thanks
      Paul-WWGOA

      Reply
  4. Zoran

    Yep. Someone had this very question- perhaps embedded in another thread.

    Thanks for verifying.

    I’ll add that on longer/bigger pieces where body mechanics/positioning is sometimes challenged the advantage of recommended approach become amplified.

    Reply
  5. Jerry

    I plead guilty!!!. I just never trusted to round side, I should have tested it.

    Reply
  6. JOHN GETZ

    A great tip, but do the manufacturers make the flat side for this purpose and just is not the best method??

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hi John. Yes, that is correct. It is intended for this purpose, but it is not the ideal approach.
      thanks
      Paul-WWGOA

      Reply

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