What to Do with a Trim Router Other Than Trim Laminate

1) Classic Uses

Trimming laminate and veneers

Use a flush-trim bit with a bearing to remove overhang in light passes. Keep the base flat, maintain steady pressure, and work against the bit’s rotation to avoid chatter.

Flush-trimming solid-wood edging

For banded plywood or veneered panels, a trim router excels at bringing edging perfectly flush without risking a snipe from larger machines. Skim the last 1–2 mm in multiple passes for a glue-line finish.

2) Decorative Edgework

Small profiles: roundovers, chamfers, ogees

Shallow profiles (e.g., 1/16"–1/4" roundovers) are ideal. The lighter tool weight keeps you in control on narrow parts, drawer fronts, and shelves.

For really small profiles, check out our miniature router bits. 

Quick edge breaks

Keep a small roundover or 45° chamfer bit in the trim router to soften sharp edges on furniture components and shop projects. One light pass is usually enough.

3) Joinery & Groove Work

Shallow dadoes and rabbets

With an edge guide, fence, or straight template, a trim router cuts clean grooves for back panels, dividers, and light-duty cases. Make depth in stages to protect the bit and the workpiece.

Hardware and hinge mortises

Paired with a simple jig, the trim router delivers consistent mortise depth and crisp shoulders for hinges, strikes, and inlayed hardware—especially on doors and lids.

Template-guided joints (small projects)

Use pattern bits with bearing guides to repeat small box joints, recessed lids, and registration features where accuracy matters more than brute removal rate.

4) Template & Pattern Routing

Duplicating small parts

Attach a MDF or acrylic template and follow it with a top- or bottom-bearing bit. This is a fast, accurate way to make identical handles, feet, brackets, or decorative cutouts.

Shaping consistent curves

Rough-cut on the bandsaw, then bring the edge to the line with the trim router. Take light, overlapping passes and keep your hands well clear of the bit path.

5) Specialty Applications

Inlays & sign making (with templates)

Lettering and inlay cavities are straightforward with guide bushings or dedicated templates. Use sharp spiral or solid-carbide bits and sneak up on final depth for clean edges.

Shelf-pin holes (with jigs)

A drill guide works, but a trim router with a bushing and template yields plumb, chip-free holes—especially near edges or veneered surfaces.

Routing plastics & soft metals

With the correct bit geometry, reduced speed, and light feed pressure, you can machine acrylics, PVC, HDPE, and non-ferrous metals like aluminum. Secure the work, clear chips often, and avoid heat buildup.

6) Practical Setup Tips

• Make multiple light passes. It’s faster than fixing tear-out and keeps small bits cooler.
• Feed against rotation. You’ll feel the tool “bite” and track predictably along the edge or fence.
• Support the base. Add an auxiliary base for narrow parts; stability equals cleaner results.
• Use the right bit. Spiral bits for clean shearing cuts; compression spirals for veneers; bearing-guided bits for templates.
• Dial in speed. Slow down for plastics and soft metals; medium–high for hardwood edge profiles.
• Test on offcuts. Confirm depth, direction, and finish before touching the workpiece.

7) Safety Essentials

• PPE: eye and hearing protection, and dust management when possible.
• Workholding: clamp or fixture the piece—never chase moving stock with a spinning bit.
• Grip and stance: two-handed control, balanced stance, cord/hoses clear of the base.
• Bit condition: sharp, clean, and properly tightened; let dull or gummed-up bits sit out.
• Incremental depth: increase depth in stages to reduce kickback risk and heat.

Festool MFK 700: The Premium Choice for Precision and Versatility

For professionals and serious hobbyists seeking top-tier performance, the Festool MFK 700 modular trim router stands out. Its innovative design allows for quick, tool-free base changes, enabling seamless transitions between vertical and horizontal routing. This flexibility is ideal for tasks ranging from edge banding to intricate inlay work.

Key features:

• Modular Design: Easily switch bases to go from vertical to horizontal, without tools.
• Fine Depth Adjustment: Achieve precision cuts with adjustments down to 1/256" (0.1 mm).
• Dust Extraction: Integrated systems ensure a cleaner workspace.
• Ergonomic Handling: Designed for comfort during extended use.

Whether you're trimming laminate, shaping profiles, or routing grooves, the MFK 700 offers exceptional control and accuracy. Its robust build and thoughtful features make it a worthwhile investment for those demanding the best in their tools.