[virtual22]

I am thinking about building some units for our front room as nothing in the shops seems to fit exactly, or do what I want it to do. However, the Mrs is very sceptical that we can get a nice finish to them. I have thought about getting a router for some time now to do the finishing on the edges of the wood and whilst they look relatively easy to do, so did fitting a new door until I tried it! Don’t get me wrong, I’m not bad at DIY, done loads around the house but that completely stumped me.

Anyway, how easy are routers to use and has anyone got any tips to look for when buying one?

[bobsplace]

Most joiners cant use them

Takes a lot of practice and if hanging a door caused you problems its maybe time to think carefully!

Dont let that put you off though,its not mandatory to use a router.Say if you bought some oak faced MDF and have the shop cut it to your required width you can buy oak (or whatever you want) timber nosing that looks a lot better than a routered edge.

Just clamp a straightedge to the board and cut straight lines using a simple jigsaw,depends what you want really.

[ukdan]

Go for it. I never used one before and just practised on some scrap bits of wood first.
After some practise i built my own staircase after i was quoted over 2k for it.
I got mine from screwfix, just a cheapy £40 job but it does the trick.

[virtual22]

Thanks for the replies already guys, keep em coming.

Originally Posted by bobsplace

if hanging a door caused you problems its maybe time to think carefully!

It was weird with the doors, in the past I've fitted bathrooms, kitchens, built units, wardrobes from scratch, done plumbing, wiring to a basic level, paving, loads of stuff without any problem. Just could not get the chiselling right for the door though. Must admit the door frames weren't exactly straight as it was an old house and I do like to have everything exact. In the end I got a chippy in and let him do it

[27neth]

I would say 95% of joiners can use a router.....
Hanging a door is a lot more difficult than using a router.
Oak faced mdf with a nosing on will not look as good as solid oak routered.
Dont clamp a straight edge on and use a jigsaw it will look terrible, use a straight edge with a circular saw or router.

John...

[bobsplace]

Originally Posted by 27neth

I would say 95% of joiners can use a router.....
Hanging a door is a lot more difficult than using a router.
Oak faced mdf with a nosing on will not look as good as solid oak routered.
Dont clamp a straight edge on and use a jigsaw it will look terrible, use a straight edge with a circular saw or router.

John...

I would say 95% of joiners can use a router.....

I wouldn't Most joiners I know get kitchen fitters to fit their kitchens fir that very reason.

Hanging a door is a lot more difficult than using a router.

Garbage

Oak faced mdf with a nosing on will not look as good as solid oak routered.

Obviously

Dont clamp a straight edge on and use a jigsaw it will look terrible, use a straight edge with a circular saw or router.


Obviously!! I assumed most DIY'ers would have a jigsaw.Perfectly acceptable to use a jigsaw with a straightedge though.

[27neth]

Of course hanging a door is far more difficult than using a router. A router is not much more difficult than using a jigsaw or any other power tool. Hanging a internal door is simple if the frame is fitted correctly, most are not.
About 90% of the doors i have fitted need a large chunk taking off with a plane to fit warped, badly fitted frames.
Every joiner i have worked with has been able to use a router. A fair amount of joiners may get a kitchen fitter in to fit worktops as they use the routers and jigs daily. Most joiners dont own a router or jig and would not use them enough to slash out over £300 for them.

John...

[bobsplace]

Originally Posted by 27neth

Of course hanging a door is far more difficult than using a router. A router is not much more difficult than using a jigsaw or any other power tool. Hanging a internal door is simple if the frame is fitted correctly, most are not.
About 90% of the doors i have fitted need a large chunk taking off with a plane to fit warped, badly fitted frames.
Every joiner i have worked with has been able to use a router. A fair amount of joiners may get a kitchen fitter in to fit worktops as they use the routers and jigs daily. Most joiners dont own a router or jig and would not use them enough to slash out over £300 for them.
John...

My point exactly:

If your taking "large chunks" off doors you should be fitting new frames to suit as its seriously weakening a door.

Comparing using a router to a jigsaw

[27neth]

I cant fit new frames, most of the work i do is for insurance companys. They will only pay for the new doors, not frames..
In the older houses i work in ( York and the surrounding area) the frames are some amazing shapes.
I still cant see much difference using a router to a jigsaw, just takes a little longer to set up.
I can do the worktop joints but i dont have a router and jig. I carry enough gear around as it is, Chop saw, jigsaw, circular saw, cordless circular saw, planer, cordless drill, sds drill, 2 paslode nail guns, transformer then all my hand tools

John.

[virtual22]

Thanks for the help and suggestions guys. I think I am going to see if I can pick up a cheap one somewhere and have a go with it then decide from there. I'll let you know how I get on