Routers are amazing woodworking tools, and the video below shows one example of what I mean. I made this video back in 2009 (my beard wasn’t quite as grey then) but I was reminded about it again when I recently milled another run of high-end staircase handrailing using the same technique. The handrail here is made of ash, the stuff I’m working on now is cherry, but you can make your own from any kind of hardwood.

The profile you’ll see in the video is made using three router bits: one forms the curved top corners of the railing; another forms the indented place for your fingers; and a third bit cuts a small 45º angle on the bottom. Click below to see what I mean.