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The power router is the most essential sharing tool in the workshop. It performs many tasks and isn't terribly expensive to buy. It cuts grooves and shapes molded edges. With a template, it cuts mortises. It's also the tool or choice for trimming laminate countertops. The power router can be used by hand, or fixed to a specially-designed router table.

Carpenter Bob Ryley is on location to begin work on a reproduction wood-paneled wall in the project home's formal dining area. The wall panels, which were inspired by a visit to the Winslow Crocker house, a 1790 example of Colonial architecture on Cape Cod,. They will be made from knot-free, select grade pine. After discussing the room's layout and consulting an architectural rendering, Ryley begins to cut, assemble, and dry fit the panel elements. Ryley first mills the vertical trim pieces, called stiles, and the horizontal rails on a router table. Next, a wall panel is milled from three boards which have been glued and clamped overnight. Finally, Bob and Ryley begin to temporarily assemble the panels on the wall. Once all the pieces of the wall panels have been test fit, final assembly can begin.

Bob meets with Ryley to discuss the site-built, built-in cabinets of �� Birch plywood. The cabinets were all precut in the shop before being transported to the location. Back at the shop, Ryley shows Bob many of the cuts and jigs used in the crafting of the cabinets. Then shows Bob some of the techniques used to make the panel doors using a router, table saw and radial arm saw with a dado blade. They create mortise and tenon joints to hold the frames of the panels.