| Bill Hylton's first router book, "Woodworking with the Router", is a tough act to follow, apparently even for the original author. Where the "Woodworking with..." book is a discussion of routers, routing, woodworking, and problem solving using the router, this edition is, as its title suggests, a collection of the jigs and fixtures discussed and illustrated throughout the earlier collection. The emphasis here is answering your question of "how can I build a flumfungwoozle to do XYZ?"; it presumes you already perceived the need for the flumfungwoozle. The first volume starts on the other side of the problem: "How can I do XYZ?", and presents the flumfungwoozle along with other ways it can be done. (I hope that makes sense.) Given this difference in organization, the "Router Magic..." book is more suited to the advanced woodworker, while "Woodworking with...", I think, is suitable for all levels. I own both. I read "Woodworking with..." for fun and for inspiration, and then maybe refer to "Router Magic..." to see other variants of how else something might be done. I would recommend both, but "Woodworking with..." gets the nod if you only intend to get one or the other. In either case, beginners should start there, instead of here, for the basic why's, what's, how's and everything else. |
| The router table plans are worth the price of admission. Simple design, instructions and operation. And, just to show us all that no one's perfect, he included a photograph of some "pot metal" he broke while tapping an existing hole in a router base. The technique for assembling the router table also serves as an excellent instrucional guide on how to build a counter top and apply and properly trim laminate. It won't make you an expert overnight, but when you're done with the router table, you'll feel more confident about building and laminating countertops. Lot's of other small gems throughout the book. Highly recommend to beginners and intermediate woodworkers. |
Good companion to "Woodworking with the Router"
Good for ideas only.
