Routers - Not just for the world wide web

Ask most geeks what a router is for and they'll tell you it sends traffic by the best route through a network. Ask me what a router is for, and I'll ask you to specify what type of router. If you're talking tools, I can talk tools. If you're talking web, I can talk that talk as well. You could say that I'm a well routed geek.

Single Speed Fixed Base Router
Single speed fixed base routers are the simplest routers. They just spin at a preset speed when you turn them on. There is a simple adjustment for how deep you'd like to set the bit, but that's about it. Nothing too tricky here.

Electronic Variable Speed
When you're routing different materials, some require faster speeds than others. By adding electronic variable speed to the router, you'll end up with a better finish on more materials. Slower rotation for softer materials like pine and faster rotation for harder materials like oak. Of course, it still takes practice to get the movement of the router / material at the right speed. That's where the artistic part comes in.

Plunge Routers
Plunge is the final type of routing. Plunge means you can take a bit and drop it into the middle of a piece of material to cut. There are special bits that work for plunge cuts, or you can lock the base down to mimic a fixed base router if you need to. One of the cooler cuts is a keyhole cut. The basic idea is to make a recessed hanger for a frame. That's why my wife bought this bit. She bought it while going to school for a fine arts degree, so it seemed like a perfect fit at the time.

What do I own?
The one I chose for the picture above is not only the one I personally own, but it is an electronic variable speed plunge router. It's a bit pricey compared to the average router in the Sunday paper, but it has all the bells and whistles. I figured I may as well get one that does everything so I don't need to buy a new one later. Now, I just need to buy a table and I'll be set.