Routing Wood

When routing wood, machines such as a router or a router table a rotating tool slot precisely remove material in order slot the desired shape, contour, or slot . This machining technique offers you a wide range of design possibilities for a variety of woodworking projects. Take advantage of RUWI valuable tips and advice to achieve the best results and take your routing projects to the next level.

Our comprehensive guide, “Wood Routing,” offers precise step-by-step instructions and covers all the key topics you should router table when working with wood using a router or a router table . Learn how to select the right wood, find the appropriate router bits, and determine which machine is best suited to successfully complete your projects. Dive into the world of wood routing and discover the wide range of possibilities that a router and router table .

Routing with the hand router

Table of Contents

• What to look for
• Wood selection
• Routing tool selection
• Router selection
• General materials
• Work preparation
• Step-by-step guides
• Tips and tricks

What to keep in mind before you start routing?

Before you start routing wood parts, you should keep the following in mind:

• Pick the right wood and the right tool.
• Think about whether a router is enough, or if specialized machines would be better for your project.
• Make sure to pick the machine that matches the work you want to do.
• Securely clamp your workpiece and wear appropriate protective gear.
• Set up your workspace to be safe and tidy.

Choosing the right wood

Usually, you'll first choose your wood based on its look and the workpiece's planned function. However, different wood types have various properties that can make routing easier or harder and affect the final result.

Various Wood Types Available

Hardwood

Hardwoods such as beech, oak, maple, ash, cherry, and walnut are popular in furniture making. However, you should use a sharp router bit and adjust the cutting speed accordingly, as hardwood puts more strain on the machine. Clamp the workpiece very securely and always work with the dust extraction system turned on.

Softwood

Softwoods such as pine, spruce, fir, or larch are easier to work with but are sensitive to pressure when clamped. A shim or rubber pad prevents pressure marks. Softwoods and resinous woods are prone to scorch marks if the spindle speed is too high and the feed rate is too low. The spindle speed depends primarily on the cutter diameter: the larger the cutter, the lower the spindle speed. For the surface finish, a sharp tool and a consistent feed rate are more important than any adjustment to the spindle speed.

Wood-based materials

MDF, plywood, and particleboard are often more affordable than solid wood and have consistent properties. However, they can be very dense, making suitable carbide cutters important. Plus, engineered wood products often create a lot of fine dust, so good dust extraction is essential. Make sure to adjust the cutting speed to prevent overheating or rapid tool wear.

Choosing the right routing tool

Choosing the right routing tool is crucial for the quality of the routed result and the lifespan of both the tool and the machine. Pay attention to the bit type, diameter, and material so it perfectly suits your project and your wood.

Selection of Cutters for the RUWI router table Performancerouter table

Selection of Cutters for the RUWI router table

Router bit types and their applications

• Groove cutters: For slots various widths, commonly used in furniture and cabinet making.
• flush trim bit: To remove excess material so that it is flush (for example, on stencils).
• Chamfering cutters: For chamfering or “breaking” edges at various angles and sizes.
• Roundover bit: For rounding edges or creating decorative profiles, in different radii.
• Disc slot cutters: For slot, edgeslots, Lamello.
• Profile Router Bits: Decorative profiles, often used for furniture fronts and ornamental elements.
• CNC Router Bits: Specifically for CNC machines, providing precise and repeatable results.

Conclusion: Make sure you learn about the different types of router bits and their typical applications, so you can choose the right bit for your project.

Router Bit Materials

• HSS (High Speed Steel): Relatively inexpensive and more break-resistant, but with a shorter tool life.
• HM (Carbide or Tungsten Carbide): Offers longer tool life and higher cutting speeds, but is more brittle and expensive.
• Diamond-tipped: Provides very high precision and lifespan, but is very expensive and generally better suited for special applications (e.g., CNC).

Bottom line: For most woodworking projects, carbide router bits are an excellent choice because they're precise, durable, and versatile.

Choosing the Right Router

CNC router bit

Computer-controlled machines give you extremely precise and reproducible results. You can use them for complex shapes or series production. Spiral router bits, slot router bits, and other tools work with CNC machines.

CNC router in woodworking

Spindle moulder

With a vertical tool shaft, a bench router can be used to perform various machining operations: chamfering edges, rounding corners, and creating slot. Some bench routers are equipped with mechanical feed mechanisms.

Stationary spindle moulder

Router

A handheld router is mobile and versatile. It's great for edge work, small projects, or on-site use. It's a good choice if you want to stay flexible.

Router on a clamped workpiece

Under-table router table or router table

Here, the tool extends upward through the tabletop from below. Using a stop and other fixtures, you can safely perform various milling operations (slots, edge chamfers, copy milling). Professional models such as the RUWI router table provide dust extraction both above and below the tabletop.

The RUWI router tables and Classic Performancerouter tables

Chain-cutting machine

Chain mortising machines cut mortises—the elongated recesses into which the tenon of the mating piece will later fit. A continuous chain with cutting teeth works its way into the wood. In carpentry and timber construction, this is the quickest way to create traditional wood joints; strictly speaking, it is a mortising process rather than a milling process.

Conclusion: Both the router and router table ideal tools for many woodworking applications. The router is versatile and portable, while the router table greater stability and control.

General materials

For routing wood, you need specific materials and tools to get the best results:

1. Wood or wood-based material: Pick a suitable wood type for your desired look and function.
2. Routing tools: Pay attention to sharp and intact cutting edges; worn cutters lead to poor results.
3. Clamping devices: Secure the workpiece with screw clamps, hold-down clamps, or other fixtures.
4. Protective gear: Always use safety glasses, hearing protection, and a dust mask to keep injuries and health risks to a minimum.
5. Dust extraction: Effective dust extraction is essential for removing dust and chips, helping you keep your workspace clean.

Work preparation

Prepare the workpiece

Plane or sand your board before routing to prevent later sanding from distorting the routed profile. Plus, markings are much easier to see on a smooth surface.

Choosing the right router bits

Check your router bits for sharpness and cleanliness. If they are worn, this can result in rough cuts or even damage to the wood and the machine. collet the router bit into the collet up to the mark.

Choosing the right router bit for your project

Settings on the router table

Pay attention to spindle speed, routing depth, feed direction, and feed rate. Checking the operating manual for your machine and tool will help you find the correct settings.

Important: Never exceed the maximum speed indicated on the router bit.

Adjusting the Cutter Height on router table

Safety precautions

Always wear protective gear like safety glasses, hearing protection, and a dust mask. Avoid loose clothing or jewelry to prevent them from getting caught in the machine. A properly prepared workspace helps you work safely and precisely.

Step-by-step guides

In our articles, you'll find detailed guides for specific milling tasks, such as milling slots, rounding edges, or creating profiles. Step by step, you'll learn which tool to choose and what to keep in mind.

Tips and tricks

Making several identical parts with your router

Create a template from sturdy material (such as plywood) and secure it to the workpiece. A flush trim bit precisely flush trim bit the template’s outline onto the workpiece. Or use a guide rail and folding stops (such as those onrouter table RUWI router table) for repeatable positioning.

Care and maintenance of your router

Keep your router clean after each use, especially the ventilation slots and moving parts. Regularly check the condition of your router bits and sharpen or replace them as needed. This maintains performance and precision.

Feed direction: Counter-rotation during manual feeding

When feeding by hand, you mill in the opposite direction of feed. The cutting edge moves toward the feed at the point of contact, the cutting force acts against the direction of your push, and you maintain control over the workpiece. On router table a bench router, the workpiece therefore moves from right to left, past the stop.

In contrast, during synchronous cutting, the cutting force acts in the feed direction: the tool pulls the workpiece toward itself. This self-feeding action cannot be controlled manually. The article “Synchronous Milling” explains when and under what conditions synchronous cutting is permissible.

Avoid wood dust

Use a powerful dust collection system and position the router and workpiece so that chips are directed toward the dust collector. Ensure that hoses and connections are airtight. The RUWI router table dust above and below the tabletop; connection Ø 120 mm, approximately 170–230 m³/h at 20 m/s. The dust extraction system is DGUV-certified.