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Hold Narrow Strips With Stops

Narrow strips are difficult to rout because clamps get in the way. The solution is to screw blocks to your workbench to corral the strip of wood. If you’re routing a thin piece of wood, the bearing on the router bit will most likely extend below the piece of wood you’re routing.

In this case, hang the piece of wood over the edge of the bench at least 1/4 in. so the bit doesn’t hit the workbench. Screw a strip of equal thickness behind the long edge of the narrow strip you’re routing. Then screw a thinner stop block at the end to keep the board from sliding.

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Secure Small Work With Hot-Melt Glue

Here’s a nifty trick for securing small pieces while you rout them. Start by screwing a scrap of wood to the workbench to elevate your project and provide clearance for the bearing. The scrap should be smaller than the piece you’re routing.

Then apply 1/2 teaspoon of hot-melt glue to the scrap and stick your workpiece to it. Allow it to cool a few minutes before you rout the edge. Rout the glued piece gently; don’t make an aggressive cut or you could dislodge your work. When you’re done, just twist the routed piece to break it free. Then scrape off the hot-melt glue with a chisel or putty knife.

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Make Moldings With Your Edge Router

One way to make narrow moldings with your router is to use a router table and featherboards. But if you don’t have a setup like this, try this other method. Start by routing the desired profile on a wide board. Then make the molding by cutting the shaped edge from the wide board with a table saw. Repeat the process until the board is too narrow to work with.

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