Routing small parts is not only hard to do safely, but it also produces a double dose of ruined or kicked-back parts. Attaching a dowel to the work keeps my fingers out of the equation and gives me a solid handle to control the cut. Depending on the size of the piece and depth of cut, you can use double-stick tape, but for the strongest bond I recommend a thick bead of hot glue. Once routed, you can soften the glue bond with a few drops of mineral spirits.
