new to routing

[Stanleymonkey]

Do you have an idea of size of projects that you will be using the router with? If you are making shelves, small boxes, toys etc. you might prefer a 1/4 collet router.

It may sound obvious but a regular sized router on smaller projects can often be unstable at the start/end of a pass. There are other factors to consider but I really prefer a smaller router for most projects that I do.

 

[sunnybob]

I think a persons size might be pertinent when it comes to which tool for hand held routing.
I'm one of those people who can never find a glove large enough to fit properly, and when I first used a 1/4" edge trimmer, i damn near fed my little finger into the bit simply because that was where i would normally hold something to keep it steady. I had to be extremely careful to bunch my fingers together to keep them whole. Wheras a 1/2" router hand held really and truly needs the work clamped and both hands on the handles, regardless of what size cutter is in it.

 

[Starjump]

Thanks Ttrees for the video.
GarF - you are most kind, need to be aware of the risks, your clip gives me the heebie-geebies, which is just what I need before I start, to make my routing safer. Thanks again.
Stanleymonkey - Thanks and my new router is 1/4" - a Makita cordless version. I will report back hopefully with all fingers when I have used it. Shed time is spent reorganising my workspace at present, looking forward to making something again!