: But Paul G. brings up an excellent point (at least I think it was him) what
: about table mounting a router? IMHO, a table mounted router would be at
: least as dangerous, if not moreso because of the rpm that the cutter is
: spun at, as a table mounted circular saw. I admit that I am partial to
: SOF's and I have only read one book on strip building a canoe
: (Featherweight Boatbuilding) and the author recommends using a table
: mounted router to rout the cove and bead profiles. Therefore, I assume
: (dangerous, I know) that that is the same advice given to others (even
: novices) who choose to rout the cove and bead themselves.

If we are talking about a novice building their own router table, I would agree
that this would be more dangerous. If, instead we are talking about a novice using
a router in a after-market router table I think they will be better off.

This why I suggest using the fences and settings that come with the routers to
set-up the two router arrangment I use to mill B&C. I suggest making a wood
base with wood supports to SCREW into the router base or handle holes to
place the router bases up. I DO NOT suggest you mearly clamp the router upside-down
on the bench, because the high RPMs of the router can vibrate loose anything not screwed
down tight.

Router bits are dangerous, however, in comparasion to the size of the saw blade, and the size
of the board, pushed through a saw, the small router bits and small strips will take a small chunk
out of you.

The router bits should be used with a zero clearance fence and the backside of the bit/fence
should be covered with a dust hood to keep wondering figers clear.

: BTW, I am all for safety as much as the next guy, however, I hear and read
: how dangerous such and such is (expecially in reference to RAS's)

I'm sorry, RAS's I assume are Radial Arm Saw's

and find
: that most of those opinions are based on ignorance. In your case, Rob, I
: know that that is not the case and I do respect your opinion since it is
: based on experience, however, as others before me have written, I
: respectfully disagree.

Sorry, I missed what you dissagree with.

I do feel, however, that it should be recommended
: that before any novice WW build a boat of anykind (or even attempt
: building a piece of furniture for that matter) that he/she should take at
: least an introductory course on woodworking and WW safety at a local WW
: specialty store, such as Woodcraft which is in my area and offers various
: classes. The better idea is to take a course at the local community
: college/votech or adult HS education classes. I would not recommend a
: novice even buying a table saw until he/she has at least some idea of
: proper safety training either through a WW store offered class or taking a
: regular class because even a dedicated table saw is extremely dangerous
: and has probably claimed more injuries than most other woodworking
: equipment.

I whole heartily agree with you here.

Safety, and skills start at the beginning. Trail and error can be deadly
with power tools.

Or at the very least, I would recommend that anyone using any power tool,
or any tool at all, do some research on the tool of choice.
This will start you off, successful, and safe.

The most obvious advise is sometime overlooked. Thanks again for pointing that out.

There are any number of internet sources for information on tool use.

The best I know of is Fine Woodworking Magazine index to past issues.

There are undoubtedly numberous sources on the net.

I think the most valuable skill you can have is to know how to research
for the information you need. With the internet, it has gotten much easier.

All the best,
Rob