Gotta-have Router Accessories

Oval/circle-routing jig
Rockler Large jig, no. 27712 (midsize routers), $90; Rockler small jig, no. 55819 (compact routers), $70
Rockler Woodworking & Hardware
800-279-4441, rockler.com

With this jig, you can rout precise shapes that need only light sanding along the edges. Start by screwing the jig to the bottom face of the workpiece (where the screw holes won't be noticed on the finished project). To rout circles, simply secure one of the two dovetailed sliders in the center of the jig's grooves with the router set for the radius you want, and then rout in incremental depths until done. For ovals, set the two sliders for the maximum travel in their axes, and then rout. The sliders glide back and forth in the jig as you rout the elliptical shape. The large jig we tested allows for ovals with a maximum of 8" between the long and short axes and a minimum of 3¹⁄₂ ". You also can rout circles from 9¹⁄₄ " to 52" in diameter. On the small jig, you can rout circles up to 24" in diameter and ovals 6×11" to as large as 19×24". Both come predrilled for many common routers.

WoodRiver 10-piece guide bushing set
no. 144625, $45.50
Woodcraft
800-225-1153, woodcraft.com

Guide bushings, also known as template guides or rub collars, make it possible to rout using a jig or pattern to create a copy on your workpiece of a specific template. Choose a bushing larger than your bit, make a template that accounts for the offset between the bit and bushing, secure the template to the workpiece, and then guide the bushing along the template to rout the identical pattern onto the workpiece. This kit provides eight sizes of bushings (⁵⁄₁₆ ", ³⁄₈ ", ⁷⁄₁₆ ", ¹⁄₂ ", ⁵⁄₈ ", ³⁄₄ ", ⁵¹⁄₆₄ ", and 1" outside diameters) that fit the 1³⁄₈ " stepped opening on most router subbases. It also includes two locking rings.

Universal dust-free router hood
no. AXH000001, $35
Oneida Air Systems
800-732-4065, oneida-air.com

You'll find a ton of aftermarket dust-collection attachments for routers, but in our experience, the Oneida Air Systems Universal dust-free router hood is one tops them all. It corrals the chips with upper and lower shrouds where your shop vacuum can capture them. The top shroud (with the port) swivels to prevent a stiff vac hose from steering the router. The port's 1¹⁄₂ " outside diameter and 1¹⁄₄ " inside diameter means you'll need a hose that size or an adapter (not available from Oneida). This accessory's upper and lower plates—predrilled to fit many common routers—replace the subbase on your router.

Collet extension
no. 115-070, $29.90
Infinity Cutting Tools
877-872-2487, infinitytools.com

Sometimes, such as when routing out trays or flattening a wide slab with a shop-made jig, a router bit just needs more cutting depth. This collet extension adds 2¹⁄₄ " of reach. To use it, simply chuck it into your router's ¹⁄₂ " collet, and then secure any ¹⁄₂ "-shank bit in the collet. We experienced no runout or additional vibration when using this accessory.

16×24" nonslip router pad
no. 123633, $16.23
Woodcraft

Every shop should have at least one of these WoodRiver nonslip pad grips: a spongy, rubbery pad that prevents workpieces from slipping while routing, and protects surfaces from scratches. It also works great at holding workpieces for sanding.

Offset router plate
Available in two versions for midsize routers (predrilled 3-hole pattern and undrilled), $31; and in six versions predrilled for different trim/compact routers, $25.

• Trim/compact router plate
• Predrilled for five different routers, $22
• Woodhaven
• 800-344-6657, woodhaven.com

Woodhaven's small routers provide finesse and dexterity as one-hand-use tools, but sometimes it's nice to have the steadiness only two hands can provide. These oversize subbase plates stabilize small routers, ensuring even cutting depth and consistency. Choose from a two-handle version for trimmers and compact routers, or a single-handle offset model for two different sizes of routers. The rigid phenolic plates stay flat without flexing, and they come predrilled for the most common router models.

Fluting jig
no. 28636, $70
Rockler Woodworking & Hardware

The Rockler fluting jig makes routing perfectly straight and evenly spaced flutes a breeze. (Okay, you have to do a little math to determine the spacing.) After mounting your router—it's predrilled for common midsize models—lay out the flutes on the workpiece and on the jig's erasable template, and then rout to the desired depth. From there, it's a simple step-and-repeat process for each flute. Because the jig traps the workpiece between its two rails, you can't help but rout straight, parallel grooves in boards up to 9¹⁄₂ " wide, for flutes spaced over 8" of that width.

On Point laser-guided offset base
no. 9098, $59.95
MLCS Router Bits & Woodworking Products
800-533-9298, mlcswoodworking.com

Besides the benefits of an offset base, On Point's crosshair lasers pinpoint the bit center for plunge-routing jobs that require precise placement, such as creating workbench dogholes or marble recesses in a Chinese-checker board. Or, switch on the LED lights for amazing bit visibility. (Two AA batteries are included.) Attach its dual-bearing guide to rout around a workpiece's perimeter or make flutes parallel to the edge. The base comes predrilled to fit some common plunge routers.

Quick-release router collet
Available in four versions, $48–$60; ¹⁄₄ " collet reducer, $13.
Eliminator Chuck
703-644-4188, eliminatorchuck.com

If you're tired of battling with your router's collet, wrenches, or spindle lock, then switch to an Eliminator Chuck. With this collet replacement, you insert the bit, and then tighten a socket screw with a hex wrench to engage a camlike mechanism that snugs the bit in place. It holds well without slipping, releases bits just as easily, adds ³⁄₄ " to the spindle length, and runs smoothly without vibration.

Bit setup bars
no. PRS3400, $45
Kreg Tool
800-447-8638, kregtool.com

The Kreg bit setup bars height gauges feature the most common fractional sizes (¹⁄₈ ", ³⁄₁₆ ", ¹⁄₄ ", ⁵⁄₁₆ ", ³⁄₈ ", ⁷⁄₁₆ ", ¹⁄₂ ") in bit-straddling aluminum bars. Each bar also has a post at the same dimension, giving you the ability to check depths on the router table and workpiece. And, at 1/4" thick, they stand without falling over as you adjust bit height. You can also buy a metric version (3mm, 4mm, 6mm, 8mm, 9mm, 11mm, 12mm).

Magnetic auxiliary power switch
no. 9077, $39.95
MLCS Router Bits & Woodworking Products

We love auxiliary switches that make it possible to power up routers without having to reach beneath the table. And this one's magnetic switch breaks the circuit to the router in the event of a power outage, preventing accidental startups when the power comes back on.

Small-piece holder
no. 57896, $55
Rockler Woodworking & Hardware

This Rockler jig clamps small parts for worry-free routing, and the handles keep your fingers well away from the bit. A quick-release button makes large adjustments fast and easy, and a knurled knob tightens the abrasive-lined clamps around the workpiece.

Clean Sweep dust-collection cabinet
no. CSMLR-SINGLE, $99.95
Incra
888-804-6272, incra.com

Table-mounted routers typically spew chips and dust in two directions: sideways above the table and downward into the opening around the bit. You can capture much of the sideways debris with a fence-mounted dust port. And Incra's Clean Sweep housing does a great job of trapping the down-below debris so a dust collector, hooked to the 4" port at the bottom, can suck it all away. A door (removed in photo) gives you access to the router should you need it. Clean Sweep mounts to any wood or phenolic router-table top.

Fence flip-stops
no. PRS7850, $25 each
Kreg Tool

If you're routing stopped grooves, you'll need a stop at each end of travel, and nothing works better than a flip-stop. They're easy to install and position, and flip out of the way when not needed without having to reset for step-and-repeat operations. We like these Kreg Tool Fence flip-stops because they slide easily in a T-slot and stay locked without deflecting. They'll fit a fence that's at least 3¹⁄₄ " tall (the length of the arm) with a top T-slot centered ³⁄₄ " from the fence's front face. (If your fence doesn't match these specs, you might have to buy a flip-stop from the fence's manufacturer.)

Spline-slotting jig
no. 9537, $89.95
MLCS Router Bits & Woodworking Products

This intuitive MLCS spline-slotting jig slides smoothly in the miter slot, and the movable supports capture your project securely. Use a dovetail, straight, or spiral bit to rout the slots, then make splines to glue in place. It's spot-on, safe, and easy. For projects too large to fit between the supports, simply remove one and register against the other.

Box-joint jig
no. 59032, $80 (bits not included)
Rockler Woodworking & Hardware

This Rockler box-joint jig makes possible a precise-fit box in less than 15 minutes (including setup). To use it, first secure the jig over the bit and registered in the miter slot. Then, position the spacer bar—choose from ¹⁄₄ ", ³⁄₈ ", and ¹⁄₂ "—the same distance from the bit as the bar itself, and lock the jig in place. Hold the workpieces against the sled and step-and-repeat rout to a completed box joint. You can use straight bits with this jig, but we get best results using an upcut spiral bit.

Coping sled
no. 52149, $60
Rockler Woodworking & Hardware

We've used a lot of coping sleds to make cope-and-stick doors (also known as rail-and-stile doors), and the Rockler coping sled is one's our favorite because of its problem-free performance and fair price. Made of rigid phenolic that doesn't flex under clamping pressure, the sled holds your door rails securely as you rout the cope cuts on their ends. A replaceable screw-on backer board prevents tear-out as the bit exits the cut. And a clear acrylic "visor" guides the sled against the fence for perfect depth of cut.