Thanks for doing this for those youngsters who think that unqualified folks ("makers") with no experience except for what they learned on the internet after they lost their job during COVID and now are "woodworkers". Well done and clearly explained.
A common, disturbing misunderstanding is addressed. I'm a newbie who failed time and again to push a standard runner of miter gauge into the miter track on the top of my JESSEM router table. One thousand thanks for your video..
I'm new to routing and just got a Rockwell Homecraft shaper. Really appreciate this video as it brought to light lots of safety tips I hadn't thought about. So thank you. Take care.
Thanks Lynn for spending time on highlighting the gotcha points. Most safety vids on routers just give the rules, but not an in-depth analysis like this.
I just purchased a Bosch router table and I was wondering where the miter gauge was. Now I understand the the danger of pinching something between the fence and the bit. Excellent videos, please keep up the good work.
Thank you! Just bought my first router table yesterday and I’m looking forward to setting it up today. I make my living as a pianist, and keeping all ten fingers is pretty important to me,. I really appreciate your video!
Great video for me a newbie. We'll explained for me to understand. Thanks a million. When a 23 min. video seems like 5 min. you made it feel like I wanted more.
Very well done and, unfortunately, much needed information. Like you, I see a lot of RUclips videos featuring self-designated experts using unsafe practices. This woodworking hobby can be safe, but only if safe techniques are used. So, thank you for helping to get the word out. A couple of suggestions for your follow up video: In your discussion of avoiding a climb-cut when widening a dado, you might want to consider another option. Say you measured poorly and now need to widen the dado towards the edge of the project, you can feed from left to right. Use a feather board to prevent the spinning bit from throwing the work away from the fence and you can widen the dado safely and accurately. Also, you might want to address the size of material and when to use of paddles and push sticks to keep your hands away from the bit. I've seen people trying to run material less than an inch wide past a profile bit. Scary!
I was by chance pushing with the rotation against a fence and it was grabbing my piece and throwing it out of my hand and there was the bit with my hand close to it. I use a table saw insert plate, so I switched the fence to the other side and I realized I was doing things wrong. I specifically searched for these videos because I have never seen someone mention feed direction and the danger of the wrong direction in what I had watched. This is very technical instead of just saying push against the rotation, but you can figure out what to do in all situation with it. Another thing I picked up from using the table incorrectly is, make a pusher block and don't put your hands close to the bit if possible, I glued rubber on a 2X4 block and hold that in the hand that will be closest to the bit.
I just got my first router table and this has been the most informative video I’ve found on RUclips. I’ve seen others who go over the how-to’s and such, but to have practical demonstrations was great. Thank you for sharing. I’ve subbed and look forward to watching more from you. 🙂
Thanks for doing this video. Newbie here and I was looking for exactly that, the "getting started tips". Great information and very well explained, and that covered questions I didn't even know I had.
Thanks for the great video. Haven't used my router table in awhile, this was a great refresher and great info on the suggested router speeds per size of router bit.
Thanks so much for this. A lot of videos just say "counter-clockwise" or "left-to-right" -- except of course in all the cases when it's the other way around. Great job explaining the mechanics of kickback/climb vs conventional cut.
Thank you for doing this video. I am very new to woodworking and I am just starting with the router table. It sure helps to know how to do this safely. I have watched several videos where it just looked unsafe.
Excellent video! Raising the bit allow for expanding metal of the metal router bit. Excellent point to always cut into the wood; like having the wood, then the router bit and the the fence. It makes perfect sense never to use a miter gauge on a router table!
Thanks a lot Lynn. I'm just starting out on my router learning journey, and really needed this information, and there seems to be a lack of very basic safety tips for beginners. Nicely done.
Good video I actually just bought a router table today like a professional one opposed to my tiny one thanks for making the video came in handy I’ll subscribe
Awesome tips! These are going to be helpful in woods class at school. I don't know if you mentioned it in the video, but I'm sure you know this. For anybody who doesn't know, feed the end grain in first, then do the sides... I've messed a few things up from not doing end grain first and having blowout. Haha
+Penrod Garage You know that was on my list to mention while talking about feed direction but I got involved in bit rotation and feed direction and forgot. Thanks, I'll bring it up in the follow up video.
Great, informative video. I just bought the Kobalt router table combo. I've watched several YT videos but yours was the only one that really addressed the questions and concerns I had regarding safety.
Great information Lynn I'm sure I have picked up some bad Technics from other you-tubers in the past. I'ts always good to have some one show the correct way. Thanks for sharing.
The reason a bit will come loose if the collet is tightened with the bit bottomed out is, there is a slight fillet on the shank of the bit where it meets the cutting "head". If the collet is tightened on that fillet instead of the shaft, it will only grip about 1/64-1/32 inch instead of the shaft itself (typically 3/4-1").
Thanks for safety video watched it too late unfortunately after a finger accident but wish I'd seen sooner. Watching during recovery! Great tips thanks
could you demonstrate for newbies in what situations you need a featherboard? or any person can reply to me for a video going over such with the router? thanks!
Just like on a table saw.... you shouldn't be using a fence + a miter gauge. You can start on an offset block against the fence, but by the time the work gets into the blade (if you're on a miter gauge), you absolutely be off the fence and off of the offset block.
I certainly understand the direction of rotation now. I was doing exactly like your video, making a 1" dado using a 1/2" bit. Testing everything with a short 2x4 scrap. I did it the wrong way. Cut the first pass with no problem. Turned the scrap around to make the second pass. Suddenly my work piece was laying on the floor after bouncing off the wall, luckily I wasn't in the way. Sure wish that I had watched your video two days ago.
I had the same experience as James , an 18” maple missile launch across my shop. Thankfully no one was injured. Like James I wish I had viewed your video beforehand. Lynn thanks for helping me understand where I went wrong, I won’t make the mistake again. Sobering lesson !
Thanks Lynn, my skills levels at the router table are bit questionable. You may see that in my next video . I'm leaning my results are petty good BUT!!!! I still have a good way to go in my leaning curve. My router is mounted to my table saw . I 'm going to have to work on that situation a little more . Thanks again BobLee
+Robert Lee / Bob Lee's woodshop Hey Bob thanks for watching, just be careful as you learn, if you ever have a question about anything don't hesitate to ask, I'm no expert but I've made a lot of sawdust😀
Hey Lynn I got sidetracked from my video that I was making . Came out with the one that is up on my channel now But I'm going to get back to the other one soon Regards BobLee
Good information. I use my router table almost every day and I had some close calls when I first started. Then common sense kicked in. Unlike a saw blade that will cut clean a router bit at high speed does much more damage to anything in its path. It doesn't discriminate between wood and fingers. Thanks for the refresher course.
At 6:50 you're talking about speed and feed, now I have to go into the 1 1/2 about 3/4 the bit has 2 radius is it formidable to do little cuts pieces at a time till reaching my final cut into it?
Thanks for the video, it's a useful resource however the camera being upside down makes it a little less clear TBH. It would be better to have the camera looking at the surface from the same angle as you are.
I was looking at how much I have to cut and 3/4 to be done in one pass would be rough to pump it all in one pass. huh? I don't have a bearing bit, using the fence, a little bit at a time?
Thanks for this info. I just got a router table and didn't realize that slot wasn't for miter guage. How would you recommend routing into a piece cross-wise where I would have otherwise used a miter guage to guide the workpiece through?
Respect the table router.... I almost lost my thumb about 3 weeks ago making a stupid error. It took about 1000th of a second to grab my workpiece and pull my hand across a 4 flute 3/4" x 2 1/2" bit. I didn't know what hit me and barley felt it. Dangerous piece of machinery.
Thanks for doing such a GREAT job in explaining the router table. I have done some research on the table and you are the best I have seen. I have a table and have been very afraid of doing free hand work. My only issue I have not been able to find the pdf file. Could you send me an email
I learned to feed stock properly on my ghetto metal mill lol "why the hell is it catching and messing up my work" oh im feeding with the rotation like a dunce... haha
I keep hitting the workpiece into the outfeed fence. VERY scary. Why does this happen? I think I'm trying to cut the endgrain on my workpiece which is only, say, five inches. So the side that enters the bit first probably tilts into the gap in the fence. How do we keep that from happening?
maybe try a square backer board behind the workpiece and register the work piece off of it and the fence to prevent it from racking into the outfeed fence. First, of course, make sure your fences are in plane with one another.
PS.. why do router table manufacturers include a miter gauge with their tables then? Just purchased a Ryobi table with the track and there is also a miter gauge.
At 15:30, I sure hope you had that router unplugged... that's another important safety tip that should be mentioned- always unplug the thing when changing bits or making adjustments.e
according to Colin Knecht, the reason a bottomed out bit will tend to rise up is because the bit gets heated up and this causes it to expand. The reason for raising the bit to just off the bottom is to allow for heat expansion.
There is another reason. When the collet is tightened, both the collet and bit are drawn downwards into the taper. If the bit is already bottomed out, the bit can't move, resisting the closure of the collet.
Best router instruction on youtube. Thanks
Thanks for doing this for those youngsters who think that unqualified folks ("makers") with no experience except for what they learned on the internet after they lost their job during COVID and now are "woodworkers". Well done and clearly explained.
Thanks for going into more detail than most other "safety" videos.
This was great - not only did you explain what to do and especially what not to do, but WHY. Very important!
Thanks glad you found it helpful
A common, disturbing misunderstanding is addressed. I'm a newbie who failed time and again to push a standard runner of miter gauge into the miter track on the top of my JESSEM router table. One thousand thanks for your video..
I' m a beginner and new to woodworking, love how you explain things!
I'm new to routing and just got a Rockwell Homecraft shaper. Really appreciate this video as it brought to light lots of safety tips I hadn't thought about. So thank you. Take care.
Thanks for watching and be safe
Thanks Lynn for spending time on highlighting the gotcha points. Most safety vids on routers just give the rules, but not an in-depth analysis like this.
Thanks T.L. be safe and thanks for watching
Very nicely done. Lots of good information.
I just purchased a Bosch router table and I was wondering where the miter gauge was. Now I understand the the danger of pinching something between the fence and the bit. Excellent videos, please keep up the good work.
Thanks - I'm glad it was helpful. Thank you for watching.
Regards
Lynn
Thank you! Just bought my first router table yesterday and I’m looking forward to setting it up today. I make my living as a pianist, and keeping all ten fingers is pretty important to me,. I really appreciate your video!
Thanks and be safe
Thank you so much I learned a lot from your video better than some others
Didn’t know about the miter track. Thank you for the info
Great video for me a newbie. We'll explained for me to understand. Thanks a million. When a 23 min. video seems like 5 min. you made it feel like I wanted more.
Very well done and, unfortunately, much needed information. Like you, I see a lot of RUclips videos featuring self-designated experts using unsafe practices. This woodworking hobby can be safe, but only if safe techniques are used. So, thank you for helping to get the word out.
A couple of suggestions for your follow up video: In your discussion of avoiding a climb-cut when widening a dado, you might want to consider another option. Say you measured poorly and now need to widen the dado towards the edge of the project, you can feed from left to right. Use a feather board to prevent the spinning bit from throwing the work away from the fence and you can widen the dado safely and accurately.
Also, you might want to address the size of material and when to use of paddles and push sticks to keep your hands away from the bit. I've seen people trying to run material less than an inch wide past a profile bit. Scary!
+David Walser Thanks David and you make some great points. I'll touch on those in a followup. Thanks for watching and commenting.
I was by chance pushing with the rotation against a fence and it was grabbing my piece and throwing it out of my hand and there was the bit with my hand close to it. I use a table saw insert plate, so I switched the fence to the other side and I realized I was doing things wrong. I specifically searched for these videos because I have never seen someone mention feed direction and the danger of the wrong direction in what I had watched. This is very technical instead of just saying push against the rotation, but you can figure out what to do in all situation with it. Another thing I picked up from using the table incorrectly is, make a pusher block and don't put your hands close to the bit if possible, I glued rubber on a 2X4 block and hold that in the hand that will be closest to the bit.
Thanks for the info on the mitre guage. I didn't know the danger, but I do now. Chris
Thank you very much it is a good starting point for us beginners.
I just got my first router table and this has been the most informative video I’ve found on RUclips. I’ve seen others who go over the how-to’s and such, but to have practical demonstrations was great. Thank you for sharing. I’ve subbed and look forward to watching more from you. 🙂
Thanks Jodie glad you found it helpful, be safe
Thanks for making this video- it was helpful for me.
Thanks for doing this video. Newbie here and I was looking for exactly that, the "getting started tips". Great information and very well explained, and that covered questions I didn't even know I had.
That you for the instructional... very through.
Thanks for the great video. Haven't used my router table in awhile, this was a great refresher and great info on the suggested router speeds per size of router bit.
Thanks for sharing your experience!
thank you helpful tips, good to go over the basics, good point about widening the dado
It's always a good idea to review and re-review which way to push your work into the cutter path. The circle cutting part was very helpful.
Thanks
Thanks so much for this. A lot of videos just say "counter-clockwise" or "left-to-right" -- except of course in all the cases when it's the other way around. Great job explaining the mechanics of kickback/climb vs conventional cut.
Thanks I hope it helps and thanks for watching
Thank you for doing this video. I am very new to woodworking and I am just starting with the router table. It sure helps to know how to do this safely. I have watched several videos where it just looked unsafe.
I hope it helps I have never been hurt on the router table. Respect every piece of equipment. Best w
Total newbie here, I just purchased my first router. Thank you for the instructional video!
Excellent video! Raising the bit allow for expanding metal of the metal router bit. Excellent point to always cut into the wood; like having the wood, then the router bit and the the fence. It makes perfect sense never to use a miter gauge on a router table!
Excellent, thank you for showing this
Thanks a lot Lynn. I'm just starting out on my router learning journey, and really needed this information, and there seems to be a lack of very basic safety tips for beginners. Nicely done.
Thank you Benedict and good luck on your journey
That dado cutting tip was brilliant.. Thanks!
Good video I actually just bought a router table today like a professional one opposed to my tiny one thanks for making the video came in handy I’ll subscribe
I'm here because I made the dado climb cut mistake you described. Thank you for the knowledge.
Thanks I hope it was beneficial thanks for watching
Awesome tips! These are going to be helpful in woods class at school. I don't know if you mentioned it in the video, but I'm sure you know this. For anybody who doesn't know, feed the end grain in first, then do the sides... I've messed a few things up from not doing end grain first and having blowout. Haha
+Penrod Garage You know that was on my list to mention while talking about feed direction but I got involved in bit rotation and feed direction and forgot. Thanks, I'll bring it up in the follow up video.
Great, informative video. I just bought the Kobalt router table combo. I've watched several YT videos but yours was the only one that really addressed the questions and concerns I had regarding safety.
Thanks for the kind words and be safe
Great information Lynn I'm sure I have picked up some bad Technics from other you-tubers in the past. I'ts always good to have some one show the correct way. Thanks for sharing.
+OG Timbercraft Hey Or,eye good to hear from you, I hope it helped.
Good information, the starter pin info was the most helpful, plus how not to cut so that it throws your work. Great Rockler plate. :-)
Thanks for watching
Excellent video !!!!
Thanks for the refresher course. I don't use a router very often, you brought up some great tips. Thanks for sharing.
+David Sutton Thanks Dave for watching and taking
The time to comment
The reason a bit will come loose if the collet is tightened with the bit bottomed out is, there is a slight fillet on the shank of the bit where it meets the cutting "head". If the collet is tightened on that fillet instead of the shaft, it will only grip about 1/64-1/32 inch instead of the shaft itself (typically 3/4-1").
Thanks for safety video watched it too late unfortunately after a finger accident but wish I'd seen sooner. Watching during recovery! Great tips thanks
+decemberswitch Sorry to hear about your accident. I hope you have a speedy and complete recovery. Thanks for watching and for the comment.
you lost one finger in router table accident ? amputation ? can you show picture ?
could you demonstrate for newbies in what situations you need a featherboard? or any person can reply to me for a video going over such with the router? thanks!
Excellent video! Best one I've seen on router table basics. Thank you!
Thank you for that - I'm glad you saw it helpful. Thanks for watching.
I'm using a router table for the first time today and I've watched at least 5 other vids. Yours was the best and filmed well. Thanks again.
Good information and reminder to always work safe. Thanks!
Begins at 2:40
Thanks for the tips! Could you share advice on when to use feather boards to help hold the stock? Thanks
Use feather boards anytime you feel questioned about your safety. Thanks for watching
I see that corporate trainer coming out again. :) Lots of useful information here. Thumbs up!
+Wood Tools Workshop LoL Fred , I can't help it its just who I am 😊 thanks for the 👍 and for warching
Basically always cut anticlockwise.... great video and well presented... thank you
You are welcome Steve thanks for watching
Great post, thanks. Anything safety related is worth watching.
I'm getting a router table and this info really helps. Thank you!!
Thank you and be safe
Just like on a table saw.... you shouldn't be using a fence + a miter gauge.
You can start on an offset block against the fence, but by the time the work gets into the blade (if you're on a miter gauge), you absolutely be off the fence and off of the offset block.
I certainly understand the direction of rotation now. I was doing exactly like your video, making a 1" dado using a 1/2" bit. Testing everything with a short 2x4 scrap. I did it the wrong way. Cut the first pass with no problem. Turned the scrap around to make the second pass. Suddenly my work piece was laying on the floor after bouncing off the wall, luckily I wasn't in the way. Sure wish that I had watched your video two days ago.
Glad you are OK, thanks for watching.
I had the same experience as James , an 18” maple missile launch across my shop. Thankfully no one was injured.
Like James I wish I had viewed your video beforehand.
Lynn thanks for helping me understand where I went wrong, I won’t make the mistake again.
Sobering lesson !
Hey G B - I'm glad you found the video helpful. Sometimes lessons are hard learned. Glad no one was hurt. Take care and thanks for watching.
Great teaching. Thank you.
great advice to the point, thanks
Thanks Lynn, my skills levels at the router table are bit questionable. You may see that in my next video . I'm leaning my results are petty good BUT!!!!
I still have a good way to go in my leaning curve. My router is mounted to my table saw . I 'm going to have to work on that situation a little more . Thanks again BobLee
+Robert Lee / Bob Lee's woodshop Hey Bob thanks for watching, just be careful as you learn, if you ever have a question about anything don't hesitate to ask, I'm no expert but I've made a lot of sawdust😀
Hey Lynn I got sidetracked from my video that I was making . Came out with the one that is up on my channel now But I'm going to get back to the other one soon Regards BobLee
Thank you for taking the time to do this video very helpful
Good information. I use my router table almost every day and I had some close calls when I first started. Then common sense kicked in. Unlike a saw blade that will cut clean a router bit at high speed does much more damage to anything in its path. It doesn't discriminate between wood and fingers. Thanks for the refresher course.
+Mike Turner thanks for watching Mike, see you soon.
At 6:50 you're talking about speed and feed, now I have to go into the 1 1/2 about 3/4 the bit has 2 radius is it formidable to do little cuts pieces at a time till reaching my final cut into it?
Thanks for the video, it's a useful resource however the camera being upside down makes it a little less clear TBH. It would be better to have the camera looking at the surface from the same angle as you are.
I was looking at how much I have to cut and 3/4 to be done in one pass would be rough to pump it all in one pass. huh? I don't have a bearing bit, using the fence, a little bit at a time?
Explain my shaper miter sled? It’s a delta that came with my shaper from delta purchased new by me.
Very informative but for a safety video, your fingers got very close to the bit (12:50). I'd use some push blocks on a small piece like that
nice video
Thanks for this info. I just got a router table and didn't realize that slot wasn't for miter guage. How would you recommend routing into a piece cross-wise where I would have otherwise used a miter guage to guide the workpiece through?
Thank you.
Thank you for watching
Great video with lots of information
+Anders Bandt I'm glad it was helpful. Thanks for watching.
Thanks for the useful information 👍🏻
Respect the table router.... I almost lost my thumb about 3 weeks ago making a stupid error. It took about 1000th of a second to grab my workpiece and pull my hand across a 4 flute 3/4" x 2 1/2" bit. I didn't know what hit me and barley felt it. Dangerous piece of machinery.
Yes sir - respect all power equipment. Thansk for watching
Thanks for doing such a GREAT job in explaining the router table. I have done some research on the table and you are the best I have seen. I have a table and have been very afraid of doing free hand work. My only issue I have not been able to find the pdf file. Could you send me an email
Good video. Answered some questions that I had. Thanks !Q!
I learned to feed stock properly on my ghetto metal mill lol "why the hell is it catching and messing up my work" oh im feeding with the rotation like a dunce... haha
Go the Bribie Woodcrafters 😀
I keep hitting the workpiece into the outfeed fence. VERY scary. Why does this happen? I think I'm trying to cut the endgrain on my workpiece which is only, say, five inches. So the side that enters the bit first probably tilts into the gap in the fence. How do we keep that from happening?
+fododude hard for me to say without seeing it, perhaps the fence needs to be readjusted. Sorry not more help but thanks for watching and commenting.
maybe try a square backer board behind the workpiece and register the work piece off of it and the fence to prevent it from racking into the outfeed fence. First, of course, make sure your fences are in plane with one another.
PS.. why do router table manufacturers include a miter gauge with their tables then? Just purchased a Ryobi table with the track and there is also a miter gauge.
I wish I would have seen this video about 40 yrs. ago before I sent a piece of walnut through my grandad's garage window.
Thanks Charles I hope it helped. Thanks for watching
Thank you first timer 🧐
At 15:30, I sure hope you had that router unplugged... that's another important safety tip that should be mentioned- always unplug the thing when changing bits or making adjustments.e
Yes sir it was and you are correct. Thanks for the reminder
Great info, thanks!
Thanks Collin. Be safe
thanks your video was helpful
I’m glad you found it useful
My Skill router table came with a miter gauge so I am naturally i am confused when you say that isn't what the track is for.
according to Colin Knecht, the reason a bottomed out bit will tend to rise up is because the bit gets heated up and this causes it to expand. The reason for raising the bit to just off the bottom is to allow for heat expansion.
Thanks
There is another reason. When the collet is tightened, both the collet and bit are drawn downwards into the taper. If the bit is already bottomed out, the bit can't move, resisting the closure of the collet.
Is always been my understanding that, you either use a fence or a miter gauge. But not both, am I correct?
Yes sir you are, at least that is my practice - thanks for the comment and for watching.
yes that is what I've read and seen in safety vids. Either or, but not both.
Reed-Custer kids are in pain rn....