17 Router Tips | Popular Woodworking

Smart Router Tricks Every Woodworker Should Know

Unlock the full potential of your router by adding these great tips to your woodworking arsenal. Whether you’re flattening wide boards, cutting perfect miters, or trimming oversize tabletops, mastering a few clever router techniques can significantly boost both your accuracy and efficiency.

Supplies

Flattening Wide Boards

A huge, wide board makes a stunning tabletop. If it won‘t fit through your planer, flattening that board can be a real chore with a belt sander. It’s much easier to use your router.

To get started, you’ll need a large, flat surface, such as a big workbench or a hollow-core door. Lay the board on the bench and place shims underneath the board so it won’t rock. Next, mill two guide boards about 1-ft. longer than your workpiece. Screw or clamp them to the bench top an equal distance apart. Make…