Routing and Shaping: Techniques for Better Woodworking

Do more with your router and shaper!

Your router is, perhaps, the most versatile tool in your shop. You can rout not only decorative shapes but also woodworking joints. For example, did you know that you can cut biscuit joints with your router? Or make perfect circles? Or joint the edges of boards straight and true? The shaper, too, is a capable tool. Use it to make strong glue joints for wide panels, movable rule joints for drop-leaf tables, and decorative sash joints for glass-front cabinets.

Using down-to-earth language, author/craftsman Nick Engler clearly explains each of these procedures and dozens of others. Over 200 illustrations demonstrate how to set up your router or shaper and perform each operation. There are also plenty of shop-tested tips, ingenious jigs and fixtures, sources of hard-to-find tools and supplies, and inside information to help pick the right router and shaper for you.

Most importantly, Routing and Shaping shows you practical applications for much of this knowledge! There are complete plans and step-by-step instructions for five popular projects that combine many of the routing and shaping techniques explained in the text:

* A router table converts your portable router into a stationary tool, more than doubling its usefulness.

* A joint-making jig makes it simple to cut mortises, tenons, and other woodworking joints with your router.

* A classic miniature chest is joined with routed dovetails, and the moldings are cut with either a router or a shaper.

* A traditional candlestand has routed joints and decorative edges cut with either a router or a shaper.

* Round routed boxes are fashioned with the router from scraps of wood.