Customer Reviews

Router Basics (Basics Series)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I recently became interested in woodworking, when I received a table saw as a Father's Day gift. (Okay I admit that I made copies of the ad from a newspaper circular and left it lying around the house where my wife would surely see it - taped to the coffee creamer, in the bottom of a cereal bowl, on her pillow - but I was still a little surprised when it appeared.)

I didn't know much about woodworking, but I knew I needed a router. I bought the Freud FT2000E router (also from Amazon). Great router, lousy manual.

After reading the reviews of Spielman's other router books (The Router Handbook and The New Router), I settled on Router Basics as the best choice for a beginner. I have not been disappointed.

The writing is clear, as are the photos that illustrate the text. The most important quality is the thoroughness with which Spielman describes each router feature and operation. For example, he suggests using the router while unplugged, to get a feel for the weight and controls. Next, he recommends using the router while on, but without a bit inserted. Finally, he walks you through inserting a bit and using the router for real.

I think most authors and first-time router users would agree this is a good sequence, but I doubt few authors would take the time to outline it in the text.

After getting a feel for the router, you can work through a series of projects designed to develop your routing skills. For example, the first project is a workbench that uses mortise-and-tenon joinery for the legs and braces. (Mortises are cut-outs in a piece of wood; the tenons are the protrusions from a second piece that fit into the cut-out.) Other projects include building a router table (a handy accessory) and instructions for routing signs.

If you're just getting started with routers, I heartily recommend this book.

This book is a very basic book - good for a beginner new to routing and woodworking. A person more experienced with general woodworking might find it a little too basic. This book does make an excellent primer to Mr. Spielman's book "The New Router", which goes into much more detail on routers and router bits.

I am somewhat experienced with router operations, I thought!
I bought a Freud FT 2000EP last year, my first hgh powered plunge router. After several weeks floundering about trying to figure out how to operate the 2000 based on my experience with my lower powered fixed base router and the piece of garbage Freud packs in with the tool as an owner's/instruction manual, I decided I had to get some help, before I chopped up any more wood or myself.
I bought this book and The New Router Handbook, by Spielman also. After reading almost half of Router Basics I can now operate my Freud router safely and know how to make some of the adjustments properly. It's sad that one has to buy an "after market" publication in order to be able to safely & effectively operate an individual power tool purchased from someone else. The operating manual sent with my FT 2000EP meets only absolutely minimum standards when using the tool (MAY keep them afloat in a product liability court room). This book is a necessity if you have never operated a plunge router before and/or have the misfortune to get one with an operating manual as inadequate as mine had packed with it. Spielman saved my bacon and his book is a very enjoyable read to boot.
I have picked up a lot of new pointers on general router operation I thought I already understood, I didn't. I've been woodworking for most of my 64 years and it sure feels good to be taken back to the basics. Wished all learning (or re-learning) could be this enjoyable. Read this book before you "light off" that new router for the first time. It'll save you a lot of money for the destroyed wood, grief from your damaged ego and maybe even a finger or two.

Not having a lot of experience with routers, I was looking for a beginning level book and this one filled all my expectations. I didn't realize how much you could do with a router and a good selection of cutters. Patrick Spielman must have had me in mind when he wrote and illustrated this book, because it answered most all of my questions. I also purchased The New Router Handbook by the same author (see separate review). I would reccommend both of these books to anyone who wants to get the full potential out of his/her router.

I recently developed an interest in woodworking and purchased this book as a reference and to learn more about using routers. The information presented is all accurate and laid out well, but somewhat dated - the copyright date is 1990. Some of the router types and features that are available today are not covered in the book. If I had to do it again, I would purchase Taunton's 'Complete Illustrated Guide to Routers' instead.

my husband said he wished he had bought the book before the router. he found it easy to understand and covered the topics he needed.

If you are new to using router, this book is certainly for you. It provides very valuable tips, introduces to many features of variety of brands. The basic projects in the book help you build your skill and confidence. The book also covers the safety techniques that are particularly important for a new router enthusiast. I give this book what it truely deserves - all five stars!!

I am somewhat experienced with router operations, I thought!
I bought a Freud FT 2000EP last year, my first hgh powered plunge router. After several weeks floundering about trying to figure out how to operate the 2000 based on my experience with my lower powered fixed base router and the piece of garbage Freud packs in with the tool as an owner's/instruction manual, I decided I had to get some help, before I chopped up any more wood or myself.
I bought this book and The New Router Handbook, by Spielman also. After reading almost half of Router Basics I can now operate my Freud router safely and know how to make some of the adjustments properly. It's sad that one has to buy an "after market" publication in order to be able to safely & effectively operate an individual power tool purchased from someone else. The operating manual sent with my FT 2000EP meets only absolutely minimum standards when using the tool (MAY keep them afloat in a product liability court room). This book is a necessity if you have never operated a plunge router before and/or have the misfortune to get one with an operating manual as inadequate as mine had packed with it. Spielman saved my bacon and his book is a very enjoyable read to boot.
I have picked up a lot of new pointers on general router operation I thought I already understood, I didn't. I've been woodworking for most of my 64 years and it sure feels good to be taken back to the basics. Wished all learning (or re-learning) could be this enjoyable. Read this book before you "light off" that new router for the first time. It'll save you a lot of money for the destroyed wood, grief from your damaged ego and maybe even a finger or two.

For someone that has not used a router before, this book guides you through simple steps to understand, use and fell comfortable using your router with great results.

I just bought my first router, and this book, in hopes of learning the basics. Mission accomplished. The work bench project which I completed has given me the confidence to go on to more complex projects. The tips for accessories helped me to buy some very necessary items.