One of the first posts that I did on this blog when I started it was how to make your own inexpensive router table. The router is a very versatile tool and it is most definitely one of those workshop tools that once you start using it you find all sorts of tasks for it and you wonder how you ever managed without it. Like I said back then nothing looks more shoddy than poorly executed wood trim. There is plenty of trim work on even all but the most basic of boats and a well fashioned piece of wood work looks fantastic and shows off the boat to it's best advantage.
There are a myriad of router cutters and it is probably best to start off with one of the boxed sets or either six or twelve. One of the most useful of the cutters is the flush trim bit shown in the picture above. Basically the ball bearing guide is exactly the same diameter as the cutter and this makes it perfect for making several identical components. Say you want to make 6 hatch covers all the same then make the first by hand using conventional tools as accurately as possible. Then with this first one stuck with a couple of finish nails or double sided tape to another piece of wood cut an eighth of inch over size all round it is simple matter to reproduce the other 5 in no time at all. Because just about all router bits these days are made with tungsten carbide cutting edges they will also quite happily cut fiber glass and other plastic such as King Starboard almost as easily as wood.
You can also buy cutters with bearings top and bottom too which can be handy when working with woods like teak and mahogany that have tricky grain. By flipping the template over it is thus possible to always be working with the grain and thus prevent tear out and chatter.
You can click here to watch a short video on using flush trim cutters.
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