10 Woodworking Projects you can Make with a Router

A router gives a project that professional edge. Routers are used for cutting fancy patterns, round edges and grooves into a variety of woodworking projects, cabinetry and decorative mouldings. With hundreds of router bits available, the electric router is a very versatile tool that makes a woodworker’s life much easier and far more interesting.

Here are 10 projects you can try with your router.

#1 Frame for a Mirror

Whether it’s a full length or small horizontal mirror, a classy wooden frame can change it from a functional piece to the feature of a room. A bevel edge makes it look elegant, not to mention more expensive. Shape the outside edge of the frame then the inside edge and join them together.

#2 Cutting Board

You might have made a cutting board in high school woodworking class but this one can be next level. With rounded edges the board is comfortable to use looks good enough to leave out on display. Just remember to use a food grade epoxy adhesive if you are using two contrasting colours of wood.

#3 Wall Shelf

A wooden display unit or shelves is a great addition to any room, kids bedrooms in particular. Kids like to show off their mementos, trophies and treasures in their room. A two or three shelf unit with routered edges can be finished to match any other wooden furniture in the room or painted white.

#4 Serving Tray

A serving tray with routed handles will a great looking addition to your kitchen that will come in handy whenever you are entertaining a crowd. Use a food-safe finish on the wood such as raw linseed oil, walnut oil, shellac, tung oil or beeswax.

#5 Wooden Sign

Once you have a little experience under your belt, you can tackle a sign that displays your house number, property or business name. Draw your design on the wood in pencil then hollow out the lettering. You can use a round nose, square end or v-groove router bit. Either round out the edges of your sign or add a decorative edge and you have yourself an original sign.

#6 Stool or Side Table

The top of a stool or table can be made beautiful simply by rounding the edge. If you have small children, it has the added benefit of being safer with no sharp edge for them to bump their head on. Running your router along the edge of the wood is 10 minutes well spent.

#7 Give Cupboard Doors the Edge

Whether you want to give your existing kitchen cupboard doors an update or you you are starting from scratch and building a new one, a router can give the doors a lift. Do an internet search for a groove you would like for your doors then find the corresponding bit and router away. Affix some handles that match your doors and you can drastically improve the look of your cabinetry and save a fortune.

#8 Skirting Boards

Many new homes are handed over with no skirting boards. Luckily it’s an easy project to do yourself and you can save money routing the profile rather than buying ready made boards. Do some research to find a profile that fits the style of the home and buy the bit/s you need to make it.

#9 Jewellery Box

If you are just starting out, don’t worry about attempting a mitered dovetail box, that is one for the seasoned woodworker. A mitered box with splines is a better choice of project for a woodworker who doesn’t have much experience under their belt. You can use your router for making grooves to hold the internal trays and a decorative rounded edge for a beautiful finish.

#10 Fireplace Mantel

Use your router to make a stunning crown moulding and legs for your fireplace mantel with grooves, decorative or rounded edges. Sketch out a plan for your mantel so your design is well proportioned then secure it safely to the wall.

If you are looking for a new router or the right bit for your woodworking project, check out the extensive range or contact us online.

Choosing the Right Adhesive for your Joinery Project

Not all adhesives are created equal. Glues have different properties making them more or less suited to some projects than others. Once you know the glues available, you will match the correct glue to the task for a long-lasting, clean finish.

PVA Glue

The most common glue used in woodworking projects, PVA glue is a good all-rounder to keep in your workshop. It’s a colourless, odourless adhesive and is readily available.

The main drawback is that the glue can be visible, albeit clear, when dry if you aren’t careful to remove every trace from your work. If you’re concerned about the appearance of your work, you can protect it by using a line of masking tape down one side of the join, then apply the glue inside the join before clamping the wood together and using a cloth to wipe off any excess. Some PVA’s are available as waterproof and non-toxic so they’re suitable for use on wooden food cutting boards.

Epoxy

Epoxy is a two-part adhesive– a resin and hardener mixed in equal or specified proportions. A chemical reaction occurs when the two liquids are mixed that they harden. Unlike other adhesives, epoxy is ideal for filling gaps in joints. Epoxies are water and chemical proof that adhere to a range of materials. They have strong physical properties for structural bonding. Hardeners are available in fast or slow curing formulas. Some projects require an extended working and cure time so a slow hardener may be needed. A microfibre blend may be added to the resin/hardener mix to thicken the adhesive. The filler can be adhesive (high density) or fairing (low density).

Polyurethane Glue

Polyurethane is one glue that doesn’t mind a damp surface to activate and dry. Polyurethane is ideal for outdoors because it is waterproof and hard but is fine in indoor situations too. It’s suitable for metals, ceramics, stone, Corian, most plastics and both porous and non-porous materials. A quick drying glue, it needs mineral spirits to clean off any excess.

Cyanoacrylate Glue

Commonly known as super glue, cyanoacrylate glue can bond to just about anything. It is ideal if you have a few items that need gluing or repairing because the shelf life is just one month after opening. There are four kinds of cyanoacrylate glue. Thinis suitable for most materials including Balsa and other soft woods but also jewellery making, furniture refinishing, antique and ceramic repairs, even taxidermy. The bond only takes 1-5 seconds for the thin glue.

The medium formula is good for harder wood such as bass and spruce and can fill and bond cracks in expensive hardwood. The bond takes 7 to 10 seconds but you can use an accelerator.

The thick formula should be used on high-stress areas and hardwoods like maple or oak. This formula gives you 30 seconds to position and cures in 60 seconds or less.

A rubber toughened formula is strong and flexible for wood, plastic, composites, and rubber.

No matter what joinery project you are working on, we have the right adhesive for the job. If you have any queries, don’t hesitate to contact us online.