The world is evolving, and technology has played a significant part in such an evolution. One of the industries that have most positively been affected by this evolution is the woodworking industry, an industry that was founded on hard work and tenacity.
Woodworking has seen a spike in interest thanks to a set of equipment known worldwide as power tools. These tools live up to the name, and they are finely made to boost productivity and give woodworkers, handy persons, and do-it-yourself entrepreneurs the chance to focus on some other things.
One of the great examples of power tools that have moved the woodworking industry forward is routers, a versatility, and startling efficiency device. Since routers came into existence, woodworking has been so much more fun, as even the newest “newbies” are having a field day.
Since the first iteration of routers, a new batch has come shot to the limelight, and we’ll be talking about two of them in this piece.
Here, we will be describing what a regular router is and what it is used for in woodworking. Also, we will take some time to explain what a plunge router is and what it is used for in woodworking.
Furthermore, we will be discussing the benefits that the two present and why having them would improve the quality of woodworking projects in the present and future. So without further ado, let’s get to examining two of technology’s best gifts, the woodwork!
The Regular Router
A regular router is a staple in the woodworking industry thanks to its efficiency, versatility, ease of use, and occasionally affordability. It is superbly suited for making perfect edges, as a woodworker can use it to nicely finished the edge on each project being undertaken.
Furthermore, routers are nicely crafted for intricate and sophisticated patterns, “as by using different bits, you can craft everything from simple rounded moldings to more elaborate roman ogee or beaded patterns for doors, windows, baseboards, or chair rails.”
There’s nothing that seems out of the ordinary for the twenty-first-century router as they are nicely equipped to carry out all the problematic patterns which human beings usually did on their own back in the day.
Also, routers are a masterstroke thanks to their recreation ability, as your typical router can almost seamlessly refashion a discarded wood cutting into something simply special.
You do not have to dispose of wooden furniture with a router once it gets a slight fault. Instead, you can contact a router possessing handyperson who will trace the natural part and use it to craft out something useful. Who can also use them on flat pieces of wood for jobs such as tracing, lettering, designing, and a whole lot!
The Plunge Router
A plunge router is relatively more advanced when compared to your orthodox router.
It is one of the many benefits of technology, as it has added to the features of the regular router and made something that lasts longer and carries out added functions. They are excellent tools for inlay grooves thanks to their ability to string, dictate, and wonderfully craft the typically hard to deal with the material.
That’s because a plunge router’s mechanism allows a smooth entrance and perfect exit from the cut. This is mainly absent in regular handheld routers, as they are more useful for more straightforward tasks.
Then, the intricacy comes with using a plunge router that is somewhat absent compared to the regular handheld router. In a plunge router, you’ll be getting built-in bit protection, which is non-negotiable. With this, your plunge router automatically surrounds and protects your expensive bits when it’s not in use.
Isn’t that cool? That way, what would finely protect your treasured bits without much fuss.
All you need to do is “push your finger to disengage the lock lever, and the spring-loaded mechanism retracts the housing, lifting the bit into the safety of the router base.” That’s something you can’t get with a regular router.
These routers are also an excellent option for cutting mortises, using specialized bits and a host of other modern features. So you can see why it’s a big deal.
Differences between a Plunge Router and Regular Router
Extra Control
Plunge routers are made for cruise control, remarkable efficiency, and a smooth workflow. This is also suitable for vertical movement, which is a pivotal part in getting woodwork cut, and other similar activities.
The regular routers, on the other hand, also assure a reasonable level of control. However, they fall short of what the plunge router ensures.
Versatility
Plunge routers are remarkably versatile, as there’s little you can’t achieve with this excellent power tool. Thanks to its power, you can use it to cut and design the toughest of woods, and thanks to its sophistication, you can work on the most brittle of woods.
Regular routers, on the other hand, are more specialized. Hence you’ll have to buy a specific type of router to get the job done, meaning that versatility is already out of the equation, except you purchase an industrial type router.
Sheer Power
Plunge routers live up to their names, as they are artistically crafted to work based on the amount of force that you apply to the cutting bit at first.
If you exert a little bit of energy, you’ll be able to cut even the most rigid of woodworks on the market. On the other hand, routines vary, as you can get a router that assures sheer power too, but not as great as the plunge router.
Cost
Plunge routers are way more expensive than regular routers, and that’s one of the few drawbacks of an otherwise perfect power tool. Traditional routers are more cost-effective, especially for newbies in the woodworking industry. Perhaps later, they can purchase the ever-reliable plunge router to add to their growing catalog of power tools.
Final Thoughts
Woodworking in the twenty-first century is vast, luxurious, and remarkably profitable if you play your cards right. That’s because the industry has been boosted by social media, advanced power tools, and a new crop of industrious woodworkers and handypersons.
Plunge routers and regular routers are two of the finest power tools on the market, and they are tailor-made to take woodworking to the next level. A woodworker with both devices in his or her arsenal is at a great advantage; what’s next is developing mastery and making the best use of these majestic tools. There’s little that a router can’t do, more so a plunge router!