It’s hard not to love a router. The first time you install it in a router table, that love at least doubles. By simply securing the tool and bringing the work to it, you open up a bunch of new possibilities, like applied moldings, joinery, and repetitive shaping. Part of the beauty of the router table is its simplicity. It’s almost like a blank slate. To give it even more possibility, check out the fixtures below for some direction and inspiration.

Backer Block Handles All Cross-Grain Routing

This router-table push block, or backer block, stabilizes the workpiece and reduces tearout. It is handy for backing up the cut across the grain, such as when profiling a panel, but it’s especially useful for milling the ends of narrow stock, such as when cutting stub tenons in a frame.

By Serge Duclos

How to Rout Multiple Patterns with Just One Jig

Pattern routing is an ideal way to make identical parts, and the best way to be successful is to use a well-designed jig. This jig, by Tim Celeski, secures the work regardless of shape, and eliminates the need to make a new jig for each project. The modular design, including a base and a clamp plate that can be adjusted for different size workpieces, is the key.

By Tim Celeski

Safer Way to Rout Vertical Workpieces

The push stick also serves as the handle, helping you to keep the board tight and plumb against the router-table fence. The adjustable (and replaceable) backer block hooks the board to help keep it from rocking and also helps to prevent tearout at the end of the cut.

Jig Cuts Slots for Corner Splines

A commission for six identical boxes led me to develop this router-table jig for cutting spline mortises in outside corners. The jig is used with a slot-cutting bit.

Ramp Up Your Router-Table Dust Collection

A standard router-table dust collection setup works well when the cut is along the inner edge because wood chips are easily sucked into the fence opening. However, when routing a dado, a flute, or other trapped cut, the fence opening is blocked, preventing any dust from being collected. Here’s a simple workaround.

Micro-adjuster for router-table fence

When making fine adjustments to my router fence, I don’t like the imprecision of tapping the fence back and forth, so I designed and built this micro-adjuster. I chose a 3/8-in. by 16-pitch eyebolt for the adjuster so that each revolution of the adjustment knob would provide 1/16 in. of movement. Since the fixture moves only one end of the fence, that really translates into 1/32 in. at the bit.

By Matthew H. Stern

Video Series: Five Essential Router-Table Jigs in Action

These short videos show how to make and use five simple yet versatile jigs and fixtures for a router table. With them, you can repeat shapes consistently and quickly, make stopped cuts in angled workpieces, profile narrow stock, and edge-joint a stack of veneers effortlessly.

By J. Peter Schlebecker

Fine Woodworking Recommended Products

Festool Rotex FEQ-Plus Random Orbital Sander

The Festool Rotex is a top-of-the-line choice. On its coarse setting, it removed stock nearly twice as quickly as the second-fastest model. But that speed doesn’t mean you’ll have to wrestle with it. It’s no huge task to control it with two hands, and its long body gives you plenty of room to find a sweet spot while holding it.

Buy at Amazon

Ridgid EB4424 Oscillating Spindle/Belt Sander

With five spindles sized from 1/2 in. to 2 in. and a 4 X 24-in. belt, this sander has become a staple in many a shop Fine Woodworking visits.

Buy at Amazon

Stanley Powerlock 16-ft. tape measure

With its smooth lock, tough case, compact size, and excellent accuracy, this Stanley tape is perfect for workshop use.

Buy at Amazon