Another router question from a newb. (pics inside)

[Homietheclown]

Hey guys,

Got another router question for anyone who wants to answer it. Actually, I have lots of questions, but starting out one at a time.

Eventually when I get my machine built, I want to put in a trackball in the control panel. Check out the two pictures below l
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I have read about making inlays with routers. What I haven't figured out is how people make the straight lines like the ones pointed out by the black arrows in one of the pics. I understand about tracing the outline with a pencil to get the cut out shape. I just don't understand how someone cuts out the shape perfectly by hand with a router and gets perfect straight lines. Same thing when trying to cut an inlay for the joysticks underneath the control panel. 

[bfauska]

You can clamp a straight edge to the board offset from the line by the distance of the router bit from the edge of  the router base to help with straight cuts. If you want to copy the whole shape really well you can use a template cut out of some other wood with a jigsaw or something and then with a top-bearing router bit or an inlay bushing for your router base you can copy the shape to your CP.
Ultimately it doesn't matter much if you have a little slop but if you want a real precision cut do some YouTube searches for router template tips.

[Malenko]

first off, LOVE the username.


secondly, you just clamp a piece of wood parallel to the line your routing and use that to keep the line 100% straight

[Homietheclown]

Thanks guys. I think I get it. I will more than likely be starting on my project this weekend. It's going to be a project that will last me quite a few months.