Class
Advanced Hand-Held Router Techniques
$39.99
$10.00
At a Glance:
- In-depth Instruction; over 89 mins
- On-demand video access anytime
- Bonus downloadable PDF resources
- Access to class Q&A
Item:
D1278E
Routers are such great tools and can do so much for you and your woodworking. We’re ready to take you and your router to the next level with some advanced techniques. C’mon along.
Techniques covered in this class:
The techniques you learn in this class will help you with many of your woodworking projects. Here’s what we’ll cover:
- Making and cutting in bowties
- Creating a liquid inlay using colored epoxy resin
- Using a router as a biscuit joiner
- Routing perfectly evenly spaced grooves
- Making bowls and trays with a router and template
- Routing specialized slots for fastening solid wood tops and allowing expansion
- Using templates and a specialized guide bushing to create inlays
- When to replace your router collets
- Super simple shop-made dado jig
You’ll get step-by-step instructions for each of the processes, along with sources for any specialized tools you may need.
In addition to the video instruction in the class, you’ll receive a full Class Guide PDF that you can print and take into the shop with you to help you with each technique you’ll see in the video.
Since this is a higher-level class, you should be comfortable with a base-line of router knowledge coming into this class. If you want to sharpen your router skills prior to taking this class, check out the Hand-Held Router Techniques Class which includes router buying advice, safety information, correctly and safely installing router bits, using guide bushings and more.
Bowties are both functional and decorative. They’re commonly used to span cracks in slabs to ensure the crack doesn’t widen over time. You’ll learn how to create the bowtie, and how to cut it into your project; roughing it with a router and finishing with a chisel.
This is a VERY simple way to add an amazing decorative element to your projects. Create a recess using your router, and then fill it with tinted or colored epoxy. A little sanding and, depending on what epoxy you use, it can look like you’ve inlayed stone into your project.
No biscuit joiner? No problem. With the right router bit your hand-held router can easily be used as a biscuit joiner. There are a few things you need to do to make this work successfully, but don’t sweat it. We’ll show you what you need to know.
The key to this technique is a key. We’ll make a simple jig that attaches to the base of your router and includes a key correctly distanced from the bit. Once one groove has been cut, making as many more as you need is a very simple process.
You don’t need a lathe to make bowls or trays. All you need is a router, template and the right bit. Templates can be purchased, or you can make your own. This is a unique and fun way to make any shape bowl or tray you want.
Solid wood panels have to be allowed to expand and contract independently of whatever you’re fastening them to. A specialty router bit, plunge router and fence clamped to your work will allow you to easily make slots for the screws holding things together. Seasonal change? Handled.
Keyhole slots are a great way to hang things like picture frames and plaques on the wall. A plunge router equipped with a fence works great for cutting in the slot. You’ll learn two approaches for making the slot and you’ll have all of your projects hanging dead level in no time.
One way to put in a bowtie or Dutchman is by free-hand cutting it. Another approach is to use a template and specialized guide bushing set that allows you to cut the recess AND make a perfectly fitting plug. Easy peezey.
At some point in the life of your router you’re going to need to replace the collet. Having a bad collet in your router can be very unsafe. What symptoms should you be looking for to know when the collet is shot? We’ll fill you in.
This is a very easy-to-make and useful jig. It allows you to cut a dado perpendicular to an edge, or at any angle you need. And it’s very easy to align to your dado lay out lines. When you’re setting up to make one, you should make a bunch.
George Vondriska
George Vondriska is the Editor in Chief here at Woodworkers Guild of America and has been sharing his woodworking expertise since 1986. Apart from conducting classes at his renowned Vondriska Woodworks School, George's passion for teaching has taken him to woodworking shows nationwide and has led him to teach woodworking for prestigious organizations such as Peace Corps/Swaziland, Andersen Window, Northwest Airlines, and the Pentagon. With a wealth of published magazine articles under his belt, encompassing tool reviews and shop improvement projects, George's knowledge and skills continue to inspire woodworkers every day. To discover more about him and his school, visit georgevondriska.com.
Printable Class Guide PDF
Download and print this PDF Guide to complement your Class. It’s a great reference for using the techniques you’ll see in this class.
Printable Class Resources PDF
Download and print this PDF to complement your Class. It includes a list of products and materials you’ll see in this class.
Meet Your Instructor
Download this short video to meet your class instructor, George Vondriska.
Video: More about Router Skills
Download this short video to hear George talk about how using a hand-held router can add fun and interesting elements to your projects.
Bonus Materials available for download after purchase.
