Routers are versatile cutting tools. They are employed to create decorative trims on a wooden workpiece, cut grooves into wood or hollow out a given area in a wooden workpiece. Many routers are portable and designed as hand-held tools while others are designed to be fitted into a fixed position, under a table, for example.
Most router tools are designed to accommodate a variety of different cutting bits. There are cutting bits available for most router applications. Employing the proper bit while working on a workpiece allows for cleaner and more efficient cutting. Cutting takes place along the edge of a router's bit. A router's bit is spun at several thousand rotations per minute
Cutting wood with a router tool creates a lot of dust and debris. Safety goggles should be worn while working with router tools to prevent debris from injuring the operator. Long or loose clothing should not be worn while working with router tools as they can easily get caught in the router's rotating components. Router operators should familiarize themselves with proper operational and safety measures outlined in the router's instruction manual before working with the router.