Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #60438 in Books
• Published on: 2006-06-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 344 pages

Customer Reviews

A must for any router owner
This is an excellent resource. I've owned a good plunge router for about three years, but used it only occasionally. After reading this book my router has nearly as much use as my table saw, which is quite a lot. The author has a very readable style, humorous, and straightforward.

The book covers everything about routers. I especially liked his advice on choosing your first bits. There are lots of detailed plans for building all sorts of jigs that are very practical. The many color photos are very helpful.

The first thing I noticed while initially flipping through the book, was the variety of routers and accessories pictured. This was not the typical woodworker writing about how he did things with his router in his shop. All the manufacturers had tools represented. There were no favorites.

He is not a fan of buying anything for the router except bits. He suggests building all of your jigs and fixtures, and has the plans to do it.

I also purchased Router Magic at the same time. It has a small amount of overlap, but is just about jigs. It is also a winner.

If you own a router, you should own this book.

The missing manual that should have come with your router

In the revised version of the most definitive router technique and information book, Bill Hylton has out done himself.
Written in a conversational and friendly tone, he gives you all the lessons you need to get the most enjoyment and precision out of the most versatile tool in your workshop. There are more pictures, and they are in color. The new version is available in hardback (something that you will no doubt appreciate if you keep this by your side in your shop --as you should).

At over 300 pages, by far, Hylton's book is the most comprehensive book on the subject. I find the local woodworking stores frequently referencing and recommending it to their customers. It's a great bargain, especially if you are considering taking expensive router 101 courses. This has it all. I'm surprised that this didn't cost a whole lot more because I found myself reading it and trying out the techniques for weeks after I got it. Remember those old Kung Fu movies where the main character walks around and encounters all these wise old masters? He fight thems, and then gets them to teach him their technique. Well here, you get the benefit of all his wisdom, and you don't even have to get hurt along the way!

Great Resource
I would recommend this book to any woodworker. It has excellent types for a variety of levels of skill. Wouldn't purchase the older book Router Majic by Bill Hylton and this book (as I did) there is too much overlap and outdated information in the older book.
I have found several of the jigs and input regarding router tables good- I chose a plan for a router table from Shop Notes rather than this book. The jigs and tips are excellent.