Customer Reviews

Woodwork with Router (Reader's Digest Woodworking)

5 star:		(47)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I bought this book when I was new to woodworking and read it cover to cover. Completed a couple projects inside and now keep it around for reference on jigs, manipulations etc. I think this is the best of the router books currently available. It has info on every relevant topic including how to use a router for different types of cuts, making jigs for specail applications, explanations of bits including history, detailed plans for tables, jigs, etc. The best part of this book is its organization. As explanations of a certain type of use are covered, side bars are used to explain important related information like how to prevent an undesired effect, a safety consideration or an explanation of bits used. I highly reccomend this book to beginners and experienced woodworkers alike.

I am an absolute beginner having just bought my router and table this week. I knew I could make nice edges on wood projects but I never new of all the other great effects I could do with the router until I read this book. It covers all the basics, as well as some advanced techniques, and has all the necessary jig designs a beginning woodworker needs to become very effective with the router in a short amount of time. I would call this the "Routers Bible" and recommend it 110%. If you only get one book on routers, then it better be this one.

More so than any other single tool, jig, fixture, or accessory in your shop, this book helps you solve problems and get the job done. Starting with the basics of selecting and using routers and bits, you'll believe by the time you're halfway through this book that the router can do every job all your other tools do. By the time you finish the book, you'll understand how to do it all for yourself. The reason is simple: a router is simply a powerfully driven bit that be be guided with great precision. Bill Hylton taps into its potential by exploring the various ways to hold and guide it, performing jobs normally associated with other tools, as well as the exciting and mundane traditional routing jobs. Whether you're a beginner or expert with a router or woodworking, this book has something of value for everyone. It is well illustrated with photos and line drawings, bringing life to Bill's clear and easy to read writing style.

Not only does this book explain/show what you need to get started using that expensive router you just bought, they do so in a casual very readable style with good humor. Useful reccommendations on bits, their use and their care. Lots of plans like a good bit storage box, a great free-hand router table and useful jigs to handle many router problems. I even found directions on how to dado a 1/32" layer off a desktop - now try that with your table saw! These guys have lots of experience with routers and it shows in this thoughtful book. IMHO this is the best general router book of the several others I've read (Let's hear it for Good Local Library's and for volume purchasing) and is well worth the low price.

This book covers every aspect of the router that you would ever want to know about! It covers both the hardware (routers, bits, jigs, plans for jigs and helpers) and techniques. The first few chapters are a must for a beginner or for an old timer to refresh their minds. The other chapters you may not need immediately (such as resurfacing with the router), but you will surely come back to the book when the need arises. Definitely the best I've seen on the subject up to now.

There isn't much about routers that's not covered in this book. What to look for when you're buying a router, bits, or a table. Jigs, jigs and more really clever, useful jigs. Plans for a table, fence and cabinet and many more projects. It's all in this book and clearly presented with photos and drawings.

If you're totally new to routers or an old hand with them, this book will be a valuable tool.

As a hobbyist, most woodworking books aren't written in a style that is intuitive to me. I'm happy to say that this book is the exception.

This book is a joy to read. It's written in a style that is exceptionally straightforward and sensible. Unlike other titles in this genre, this text is exceptionally complete - I think beginners and advanced router enthusiasts will find it equally insightful.

Although I have to admit that I am a beginner, I can't imagine there is anything you would find lacking in this book's content.

The diagrams are superb, and the content is comprehensive.

Kudos to the authors for writing an excellent book that has helped demystify this topic so painlessly!

This book was one of my best woodworking purchases. I had recently purchased a router and was seriously considering buying a commercial router table. Fortunately, I purchased this book first. I made both a mini-table and a larger table described in this book at a fraction of the cost of the commercial router table I was looking at. I'm also learned a lot of router techniques that have helped me enjoy my router a lot more. This book is well-written and the many pictures make this a great reference and an easy, enjoyable read.

I love this book. It has to be the most informative and comprehensive book on routers out there...

It has plans for building you own router table and surprisingly enough, it resembles the one off of the New Yankee Workshop!

My *only* gripe about this book is:
1) black and white photos
2) all the routers they use are outdated
3) the pics have to be from the 70's, these guys are hippies!

However, knowledge is knowledge and it doesn't matter how old it is. There aren't many technique improvements to an already perfected technique, so the fact this book seems outdated doesn't really matter. (except where actual router models and brands are referenced)

This router book is the only book you will ever need on the subject. It is for the learners, the intermediates as well as the pros. What makes it most readable in the style of the author. It is not an effort to concentrate on this book. It is filled with interesting anecdotes, drawings, jig projects and troubleshooting approaches. This book is on my bedside table and I cover a few pages every night. When you read the other reviews, believe them! This book is great.