Customer Reviews
Excellent book 
2008-04-11
This is the best router book ever. There is a solution for every type of woodworking problem using the router.
Wow. Just wow. 2008-04-10
I bought my first router well over 15 years ago, and I've been reading router books and articles sporadically since the '70s. I picked up the previous version of this (not the revised edition available here), and my one word response is "wow". Said repeatedly, but just the one word.
This book covers the entire gamut - from selecting your router, explaining the gamut of bits, to building a couple of tables for it (standard, horizontal, and a skinny, tall workbench that just looks handy as blazes) to very complete how-tos for doing anything you've ever heard of doing with a router - jointing, decorating, making molding, circle and oval work - and into things you wouldn't usually consider doing with a router, like jointing, thickness planing, making frame-and-panel interior doors, edge joinery - all completely explained in an easy-to-understand, conversational tone, with good detail and plans for making your own jigs and fixtures to do all of it.
The best part is that they do *not* teach you to do what they do - they give you an understanding of what can be done, show several different ways to do it, and expect you to work in your own style.
With this router book, you probably don't need any other. Anyone who has (or plans to acquire) a router should get this book. Anyone who has a router and this book is going to be spending very little money on buying router accessories - they'll know how to make their own.
An up to date treasure 2008-03-23
Having received my first router as a gift in December, I was looking for a book that would teach me the basics of using a router in a wood shop. This book did all that and so much more. It discusses what seems like just about every possible way to use a router, from trimming laminate to jigs for vertical router tables. It will take me quite some time to try every technique and jig in this book, and each time head to the shop to tackle a new one I have fun doing it. Also, unlike a few other woodworking books this one is very up to date with current ideas, tools, bits, and language. I highly recommend this book to anyone with a router, veteran and beginner alike.
Great book for learning about the router 2008-02-27
If you are a beginner or have experience using a router this is a good book to get.
This book is great 2008-02-06
When I first picked up this book, it seemed to me that the first few chapters went over the basics of purchasing and using a router and the rest of the book was about building elaborate router tables (something I was not really interested in).
However, as I read on, I found that this book is a treasure chest of unique ways to use a lowly router to perform almost any task. Most of the techniques are for router table use, but don't require anything more than the small benchtop router table detailed in the early pages.
The author is good at showing several different ways of doing something so you can choose the technique that suits you best. For example, in the section on cutting finger joints, the author shows how to adapt the jig for use with a mitre gauge, sliding fence, and template bushing. You can decide which best suits your equipment setup and capabilities.
This is a great reference I find myself going back to time and time again (and it's inspired me to build a router table).
impressed and disappointed at the same time 
2008-07-07
One of the reviews I read here said that this book was all about making one's own jigs and not buying commercial jigs. I wanted to make dovetails but really didn't feel like spending a ton of cash on a jig and a bushing. So I bought the book primarily hoping to find a good way make dovetail jigs or even a trick for cutting them by hand. Well, the book told me to buy a jig. I guess I should have just bought one, it's just that it's awfully hard to spend almost $100 on something that will be used so infrequently.
One the positive, the book had plans for a small table-top router table. It worked out very well and even though it was a very simple design, I sure didn't think of it. That was a good find.
If I ever wanted to really get into woodworking, I think I'd find the book more useful. While I enjoy woodworking quite a bit, I don't have time to really get into it. Most of my woodworking is done as part of larger projects. I think that limits the usefulness of the book, at least for now. But I'll keep it around and who knows, I might find more goodies when I am ready for them.
This really is the manual that your router company didn't include 2008-06-03
Normally these kind of books, I end up reading the first couple of chapters and putting it on the shelf to collect dust. I actually brought this into the office one slow day, and was 3/4 of the way through the book in no time, and taking notes!
My router (used) actually didn't come with a manual. With this book I was able to get by just fine. The book teaches you the fundamentals of the router, and in doing so is teaching you how to safely operate it.
I did buy into the Eurekazone System which I highly recommend that you look into. This will save you from buying a router table, combined with this book, it'll save you a lot of money.
Excellent Book... 2008-05-23
This is an excellent resource for the beginning woodworker interested in learning about the router.
Too many jigs, not enough bits 2008-05-21
I'm a total beginner in woodworking. I purchased "Woodworking with the Router", to get a basic understanding on how a router is constructed and how it operates. The 1st few chapters were just what I was looking for. What I expected next was descriptions of the most commonly used bits, and how to use them. Instead I got jigs. Ultimately, this book is going to be a valuable reference for making your own jigs, but in the meantime I've got to find out what to do with the bits.
If You Own A Router, You Should Own This Book! 2008-05-14
Let me begin by saying, "I never review books..period". However I was so immpressed by Bill Hylton's, "Woodworking with the Router", that I felt compelled to say something.
That something is..."If you own a router or have contemplated buying one; Consider this book as essential as a bit you need to make it something other than just a noisy motor!" A must for the beginner, and a shop shelf reference for the seasoned pro, this is one book purchase that you will never regret buying.
Hylton while managing not to scare you to death, nontheless stresses how to work safely with the router, so that even first-timers will fill confident making that first cut.
Filled with nifty jigs and plans that are clear and concise, make contruction a breeze. Advice on choosing routers, bits, tables, and jigs. Shop tools, differing wood characteristics, precision joinery... are all valuable, of course. But Hylton will also show you how to save a bucket of money by using your router to do jobs traditionally done by other, more expensive shop tools. Building your own precision accessories rather than buying them will easily save you hundreds of dollars, not to mention the gradification of having made them yourself.
Do youself a favor..."Buy this book!" Your router will thank you.
