Make sure you use the right grade of sandpaper. Start of with a very coarse grade and finish up with a finer grade for a very smooth finish. A router is a great tool for detail work. If you will be engraving or doing finishing work, this is the tool you don t want to be without. There are so many accessories for routers that you can be very creative with your designing. As most consumers are aware, convenience is always more expensive. You will find cordless power tools cost more than the traditional power tools with cords. A major drawback of cordless power tools is that they don t offer as much power as a cord power tool. In many cases the difference in power isn t enough to be an issue, but for larger projects it can be a major concern. They can get in the way and accidentally get severed. There is also the potential of tripping over them and getting injured. Make sure all power cords are secured and out of the area where you will be operating the power tool. Keep all cords out of water and away from solvents or you could get shocked or electrocuted. However, it is very important that you take the time to find out. You don t want to damage your project and you don t want to injury yourself by not using the right power tool. Drills are used to insert a hole for various reasons. It could be to anchor something by installing nails or screws. Routers are great for carving and engraving. A fixed base has a bottom plate that is round, side handles, and an adjustable height. Some models come with accessories attached to the side. The D-shaped handle base offers a trigger to make the router turn on and off. It is very convenient. The base you choose depends on your own personal preference. They start at 2 amps and go up to 5 amps. It is a good idea to purchase a drill that has more than one speed. This will give you more control when you are using it for various projects. One speeds do work well, but sometimes it will take you longer when you are doing a project. If the speed it too fast for the particular project then you can damage your project.