Keeping Long Stock Square on the Router Table

Keeping Long Stock Square on the Router Table

I am fairly new to woodworking and my wife has conned me into replacing some baseboard in a bedroom. I am routing a simple bead with square shoulder onto 1″ x 4″ x 12′. Handling this long stock is killing me. I have one end braced on a support table, which is fine; I have featherboards to keep the stock firm against the rip fence, which is only okay – the stock still floats a bit…I am also having a problem keeping the stock square on the table…it wants to tilt up. By the time I have all these featherboards and braces in place, I can’t slide the stock through the router table. I have been thinking about removing the router and running it along the stock on the ground, but cannot adjust the depth of cut to where I want it…Do you have any other ideas? I appreciate any help you can send this way.

Michael Dresdner: You might want to switch to a molding head on your table saw. That would make it a bit easier to control the stock with a fence, hold down, and single feather board. Several companies make such heads. Another option, if you own an air compressor, is an ultra-lightweight hand held air router. They have almost no kick, are easy to control, and present a practical alternative to struggling with bringing a heavy router to the work.

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