Scope of the Class

The router sign-off class is intended to teach students how to safely use the Nova Lab's routers safely without hurting themselves or the tools.

We will cover some techniques with a router, but that is not the main focus of the class. Attending woodshop office hours or asking members on slack is a great way to get help and guidance for more advanced routing techniques.

As reminder: students are encouraged to bring their own safety glasses, dust masks, and hearing protection.

Class Schedule

Starting with the hand-held router

• Review safe setup of the tool
• Plunge cut mortise using clamped fence (with full setup and teardown)
• Edge trim using a bit with bearing

Switching to the router table

• Cover safe setup of the tool
• Edge trim using bit with bearing (with full setup and teardown)
• Cut dado using table fence

Homework: Before you attend the class.

Router 101

Steve Ramsey has a great video if you have never used a router before.

Router 101: The woodworking router for beginners

The 12 Commandments of Routering

Always wear safety gear

In addition to hurling chips and dust with alarming speed, routers are notoriously noisy tools that are also capable of churning out clouds of fine dust. Therefore, safety demands that you wear proper eye, ear, and dust protection each time you rout. In addition to wearing a dust mask, connect your router to a dust vacuum or collection whenever possible. Also, don’t wear loose fitting clothing or jewelry which might accidentally come afoul of the bit. If you have long hair, wear it up or keep it under a hat.