Bill Hylton's Ultimate Guide to the Router Table (Popular Woodworking) (Paperback)

by Bill Hylton (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The router is one of the most versatile tools in any shop, and router tables make it even more versatile by incorporating it into a stationary platform.

The router table opens up a whole new world of using the router that simply can't be done using it freehand. Ultimate Guide to the Router Table starts by giving the reader the option of building their own router table (with plans) or buying a manufactured table (with suggestions on what to look for when buying). In either case, this book gives the woodworker all the information they need to use their router table. Basic router-table knowledge is covered in the first chapter: safety issues, setup fundamentals, feed direction and workpiece control. The next chapters cover specific operations unique to the router table. The woodworker is not only how to do an operation, but why to do it in the way explained (and the pitfalls of trying to do it another way). Sidebars and tip boxes will highlight appropriate router bit choices, details on how to construct jigs that can be used in conjunction with the router table and other essential information. Illustrations and close-up photos show procedures clearly. *A router is mounted under a table with the business end of the router protruding up through a hole in the table. This enables the user to perform tasks that can't be done with the router hand held. Operations such as edge profiling, making mouldings, cutting lock-miter joints, box joints, rabbets, grooves, splined miters, using templates, pin routing and more can be done using a router table.

About the Author
Bill Hylton is a longtime woodworker and woodworking writer. He writes a column on power tool joinery for Popular Woodworking magazine and is a frequent contributor to Woodworker’s Journal. He is a renowned authority on the use of the router and router table. His book, Router Magic, is the bestselling (Bookscan RTD sales 18,718 copies) router book of all time.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Popular Woodworking Books (July 17, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1558707964
• ISBN-13: 978-1558707962
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #89,443 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #29 in	Books > Professional & Technical > Engineering > Industrial, Manufacturing & Operational Systems > Machinery
  #50 in	Books > Home & Garden > Crafts & Hobbies > Woodworking > Furniture & Carpentry

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Router Table Worker., November 15, 2007

By	Cristobal Samaniego "Cris S." (Ann Arbor, MI 48103) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Excellent book. This is what a person who is going to get serious in router table working needs. Woodworking is my hobby. I build many things around the house, from dormers to desks, and cabinets. I bought a Porter Cable 3-1/2 HP router, a Bench Dog table, and a Bench Dog Lifter. I wish I had seen this book before I bought the table. Well, I bought it all at once. I would have made my own table. The book is very well written and the author (Bill) is extremely knowledgeable about his subject. He offers many options for building your own table based on your specific needs. The illustrations are great. It covers many different areas, such as making dovetails, different types of bits, how to make jigs and fixtures, etc. There are no adds about any particular brand, which is great. He focuses of process. This is a great book, built with high quality paper as well. I highly recommend it.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Book description is incorrect, July 9, 2008

By	NW Boatbuilder (EDMONDS, WA USA) - See all my reviews

Despite what the book review states, this is not a book about building your own router table and I have yet to find any plans. If you are looking for plans, you will need to buy either "Woodworking with the Router" or "Router Magic" which are also by Hylton. As the author states, "Using a router table is what this book is about".

It is an excellent book especially if you are not familiar with the router table. There are also ideas and techniques for the person who is familiar with the router table. Hylton is a great suthor and I would recommend any of his router books.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Had all of the information that I needed, August 9, 2008

By	Bill "Bill" (Illinois) - See all my reviews

I was installing a hardwood floor and needed to route a groove into some pieces. This book gave me all of theinformation I need to select and buy a router and table. It also gave me all of the information that I needed to setup the table to route the groove. Well worth the price of the book to me.