Got a router! Now what?

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bionicbadger:
Wear a mask too and be prepared for LOTS of dust. Routering MDF creates tons of dust. Do it outside if possible, less to clean up.

shmokes:
I have that same set. I picked it up about a month ago for my cabinet. I too was brand new to routering. I'm totally sold. And the set seems to be fantastic, though I am not in a position to compare since it's the only router I have. The case is unbelievably well though-out. I just got the Universal Edge Guide

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00002232W/qid=1055536334/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_1/103-6532549-5899023?v=glance&s=home-garden&n=507846

And there is even a place in the case to store it. Very nice touch. I haven't used it yet, but I think it is going to be a fantastic addition. Also, it has a place to attach the hose of a shopvac to suck up most of the saw dust before it can make it to the floor and everywhere else within a 100-foot radius of your work area including your lungs. Once again, I think it will be nice (if a bit cumbersome dragging the hose around).

All in all I have found it very easy to use and it seems, in many ways safer than some of the other tools I use, like a jigsaw. This is because I have to keep both hands on the router at all times so there's no chance of cutting off a finger. It wouldn't take that big a mishap or distraction to cause an accident like that with a tablesaw or jigsaw. Just make sure you're prepared for the kickback when you first switch it on. It's not bad, but if you aren't expecting it you will be very startled. See, when it starts spinning the bit upwards of 24,000 RPMs for the first split second it would just as soon spin the router in the oposite direction and leave the bit where it is. It's no biggie and I don't even notice it anymore.

skirge66:
I used a 1/2" straight bit for mine. grabbed some of my scrap pieces of wood, measured from the edge of the bit to the edge of the router, clamped down the scrap to make a quick jig.

brax and bionicbadger hit the most important point though, face mask and safety glasses are a must, particularrly when routering MDF you don't want to be breathing that dust for sure.

hell of a good tip brax on how to set the plunge depth for the trackball plate.

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