A router table is an essential woodworking tool that opens up a whole new world of possibilities for DIYers and hobbyist woodworkers. With the right router table and router, you can transform raw lumber into beautiful and functional finished pieces. But what exactly can you make with a router table? Let’s take a look at some of the most common and useful router table projects.
Page Contents
- 1 Cutting Dadoes and Grooves
- 2 Edge Treatments
- 3 Joinery
- 4 Raised Panels
- 5 Edge Banding
- 6 Molding and Trim
- 7 Sign Making
- 8 Fluting
- 9 Inlays
- 10 Box Joints
- 11 Mortise and Tenon Joints
- 12 Profile Shaping
- 13 Circle Cutting
- 14 Dovetail Keys
- 15 Puzzle Joints
- 16 Reeded Wood
- 17 Template Routing
- 18 Laminate Trimming
- 19 Decorative Bowls and Trays
- 20 Chair Spindles
- 21 Picture Frames
- 22 Replacing Spinning Blades
- 23 Resurfacing Boards
- 24 Bit Storage
- 25 Models and Prototypes
- 26 Conclusion
Cutting Dadoes and Grooves
One of the most basic functions of a router table is to cut dadoes and grooves in wood. A dado is a slot cut across the grain, while a groove is a slot cut with the grain. Dadoes and grooves allow you to make strong joints for shelves, drawers, cabinets, and more. With a router table and a straight bit, you can adjust and lock in the width of the dado or groove to get a perfect fit every time.
Edge Treatments
Adding decorative edges to boards, panels, and tabletops is a breeze with a router table. Roundovers, chamfers, ogees, and more can be cut with precision using a router table and the appropriate bit. Fancy edges like these add detail and visual interest to projects.
Joinery
Cut precision joints like rabbets, half laps, dove tails, and finger joints using a router table for strong and attractive joinery. With the right jigs, you can cut any joint you can imagine. Joinery is essential for fine woodworking.
Raised Panels
Door panels and cabinet door panels often feature a raised center. This can easily be accomplished on a router table by cutting a profile around the perimeter of the panel. Common profiles include ogee, chamfer, bead, and many more. The profile cut on the router table allows the center of the panel to sit higher than the frame.
Edge Banding
Applying edge banding to plywood and particle board gives projects a clean, finished look. Simply trim and adhere the edge banding using a flush trim bit in your router table. This conceals the unattractive edges of man-made boards.
Molding and Trim
Custom molding and trim can be expensive to buy pre-made. Save money by cutting your own on a router table from basic lumber. Create window trim, baseboards, crown molding, door casing, and any other trim your project requires.
Sign Making
Make custom signs, name plates, and engraved lettering using a router table and lettering templates. This is great for personalizing projects.
Fluting
Add fluted detailing to table legs, columns, and other projects with a fluting bit in your router table. This classical decoration is simple to do yet looks impressive.
Inlays
Inlay custom designs and patterns into project surfaces using a router table and inlay kit. Start with a template, then rout out the recess to fit the inlay material snugly.
Box Joints
Box joints, also called finger joints, create a distinctive zig-zag pattern for box and drawer corners. Cut them accurately and easily with a router table sledge, special jig, or even just a simple shop-made guide.
Mortise and Tenon Joints
For super-strong mortise and tenon joinery, use a router table to precisely cut the mortises. Practice on scrap until you get a perfect fit when assembling your projects.
Profile Shaping
Shape decorative profiles along edges of boards by running them across a bit designed for the desired contour. Use for table legs, chair arms, molding accents, and anywhere you want to add aesthetic detail.
Circle Cutting
Cut perfect circles or arcs in wood using a trammel bar attachment on your router table. Useful for circular tabletops, curved molding, arched doorways, and unique design elements.
Dovetail Keys
Decorative dovetail keys can be cut on the router table using a dovetail bit and templet. They add an eye-catching touch when used as accents on furniture, drawers, and boxes.
Puzzle Joints
Entertain yourself by cutting puzzle joints on wood ends to form a unique interlocking grain pattern when fitted together. Use in tabletops or door panels.
Reeded Wood
Cut reeded detailing into wood to imitate the fluting on classic column designs. Requires a reeding bit and the right technique, but makes projects pop.
Template Routing
The router table makes template routing easy for custom patterns. Trace your pattern onto a template, follow it with your router, then transfer the shape.
Laminate Trimming
Get a flawless finish after applying laminate by using a flush trim bit to trim away the excess. Quickly gets laminate perfectly flush with your substrate.
Decorative Bowls and Trays
Use a router and trammel to carve decorative wooden bowls, trays, and even carved sea shells. The possibilities are only limited by your imagination and skill.
Chair Spindles
Cut decorative turned chair spindles on the router table with a spindle molder bit. Further customize with additional edge profiling.
Picture Frames
Make custom picture frames any size with attractive edges. Use individual frame pieces or cut profiled grooves to accept mitered frame corners.
Replacing Spinning Blades
Easily craft circles, slots, and decorative patterns in wood by mounting a spinning saw blade into your router collet. Always use caution!
Resurfacing Boards
Freshen up old, worn boards by passing them over a straight bit to plane and resurface them. Make new life out of barn wood and reclaimed lumber.
Bit Storage
Keep router bits organized yet accessible by building custom bit storage right into your router table fences and surrounds.
Models and Prototypes
Use the router table to carve, shape, and create precision models, prototypes, patterns, and architectural designs from wood.
Conclusion
As you can see, router tables are extremely versatile woodworking tools. Just about any shaping, joinery, edging, and detail work can be accomplished on the router table with the right accessories and router bit. If you are limited on space, many router table functions can also be handled with a trim router and small benchtop router table. With practice and creativity, a quality router table will enable you to make just about anything out of wood.