Flash Gordon wrote:

Ahh.... major detail here. I hadn't thought of the clearance needed
BELOW the table for the router.

Not so much of an issue with the smaller 1/4" routers - but the bigger
1/2" beasties are likely to be too long to fit under unless the table is
on a narrow set of legs or a workmate....

I'm still unsure whether a table mounted router or a hand held would
be better? I've heard they can be a bit of a beast to hand-hold... a

Hmmm - depends on what you are trying to do with it. The 1/4" routers
are very easy to hand hold for many tasks and you can get good results
that way. The 1/2" units tend to be bigger and heavier so are more of a
handfull if you are having to support the weight of the unit when
routing an edge or something like that.

friend of mine - who is a strapping big woman with more strength than
the average bloke - has warned they pretty much have a life of their
own. And what with me not having experience, this is why I was looking

Makes me wonder if she is using it right! If you start doing things like
trying to cut in the wrong direction, or plunging into the middle of a
bit of wood and then routing freehand it gets much harder to control.
But putting profiles on edges with bearing guided cutters etc should be
pretty straight forward.

at an attachable table mounted router. And within all that, cost is a
bit of an issue.

Table mounting is handy for some types of work, and an absolute
necessity when using the larger diameter cutters (like panel raising
bits etc)

Much of the skill in routing is working out how to guide and anchour the
router in the places you want it. Either with tables, fences, trammels
etc, but also with home made jigs.

You might find it worthwhile getting a good book on router technique and
jigs etc. The book I have found very good - especially for jigs and info
on making router tables etc is:-

Woodworking with the Router: Professional Router Techniques and Jigs Any
Woodworker Can Use

by Bill Hylton, Fred Matlock

See Amazon he-

http://makeashorterlink.com/?Z1A821EE3

It is the fault of programs like "New Yankee Workshop" on Home &
Leisure that show such beautiful woodwork and equipment like a
hand-held router made to look like spreading butter on bread!!!

Well in some cases it should be much the same only less greasy!

--
Cheers,

John.

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