Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I recently got a good deal on a router off of Ebay. I thought it might come in handy in my during my upcoming build. It is nothing great, but it matches my skill level (NONE). Does anyone have any suggestions on where I can pick up information on using a router?

This is a good place to start on the web. Router Workshop It has a pretty good Tips section and link to a router forum.

Volfanatic,

Hey Bro, good to see you forging ahead with your build too. Glad my boo boos didn't scare you off. Believe it or not, I am pretty good with a router. I have used my router more than any other tool during my teardrop build.

When you get a profile template made, use your router with a Flush Trim Bit and cut out your walls using the profile as a guide for the roller bearing on the bit.

When routing, It's VERY important that you move the router in the proper directon. When routing, you go from left to right or counter clockwise. if you move the router from right to left, you end up doing a climb cut. Always keep a sharp router bit on hand. I buy the Ryobi Brand 1" Flush Cut Bits from Lowes for about $12 a piece. Buy several of them because they dull quickly and must be replaced. WHen you start seeing cracks and rough edges on the blades, take them off the router and toss them. Keeping a sharp bit on hand will insure you get a great, hassle-free cut.

PM me if you need any more help.

sandman wrote:When routing, you go from left to right or counter clockwise.

Wouldn't left to right be clockwise?

Only if you live south of the equator!

If you have a square piece of plywood sitting in front of you, the edge closest to you gets routed from the leftmost corner to the rightmost corner, then up the righthand side, across the top (right to left), then down the left side. That would be a counter-clockwise direction.

I have to rethink it every time I get the router out.

Joanne

steve wolverton wrote:

sandman wrote:When routing, you go from left to right or counter clockwise.

Wouldn't left to right be clockwise?

Well, I think I explained it wrong but like when routing a round table top, you would route it like starting at the imaginary 12 o'clock position and move backwards...or left to right. Does that make sense??

So you're always pulling against the rotation of the cutter, right?

steve wolverton wrote:So you're always pulling against the rotation of the cutter, right?

Right, that's what draws it back against the wood.

I practiced on a lot of scrap pieces before I got to stuff that counted!

Barb

b.bodemer wrote:I practiced on a lot of scrap pieces before I got to stuff that counted!

Barb

That's excellent advice...... <Matter of fact, when I entered contracting I was told to always do a practice run on something new to me. So when I learned to lay tile I practiced on my mother-in-laws house. [ex mother in law now]
I'm glad I made all my mistakes on her house so when it came to doing a job for people I care about I knew what to do.

So how bout some artistic person here come up with a printable poster that we can all put on the wall to remind us which way to route. Pictures are the biggest help around.
Brwbier

Router 101... nope, never took the course.. I butcher the wood with my router...

Maybe someone can tell me if I am doing this wrong, but I put the template on the work bench... I clamp the virgin plywood on top of the template, and then I just hack away at the plywood with a trim bit. (Kinda like a template, but upside down.)

Is there a better way to do that, or am I doing that right?

Mike...

I have quite a bit of experience with routers since I used to own and operate my own custom drum shop. A router was an essential piece of equipment used in the making of drums. I used a router daily to cut bearing edges on drums using various specialized bits. You can actually route right to left if you do it slowly and take your time. This provides a climb cut where it removes less wood than moving the router in the proper direction. I actaully go back and forth when cutting out new walls....and believe me, I have routed out LOTS of walls since starting my build.

When routing softer woods, cut back on the speed to keep from chipping the wood. Harder woods, turn it all the way up. Can't believe I actually have something valueable to contribute for a change...lol.

Mike, that is what I do as far as following a template. I put painters tape over the areas I am routing. It keeps the wood from splintering and cracking. If you are having to hack and the router is having trouble following the template, adjust the height of the bit up or down a little. If the blade is dull, the router will meander. Never stop in one place with a router or you will burn the wood badly. Always keep it moving..always.

Mike...I've never had much luck with a top bearing straight bit in a handheld router. I typically use a downcut 1/4 inch spiral flush cut bit for that application (put the template on the bottom). Spiral Downcut Bits.. Not router 101 and far be it from me giving router advice...that's just what works for me...Juneaudave

Oh way to go Dave. That site had free instructions..

http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/shopsite ... truct.html