If you can afford it, I recommend a large (15 + lbs) Porter Cable (PC) Speed- O-Matic. This is a 5-speed router that allows you to slow down (significantly) the bit speed, reducing burning dramatically, not to mention chip-out due to wood-grain irregularities, and a lower speed is easier to handle. PC equipment isn't cheap but it's well worth the investment (kind of a third-generation tool - first you buy your Craftsman's, then you upgrade to Makita or Freud, finally you break down and buy what you really want/need - professional grade tools - better to skip the beginning and intermediate steps/cost). Think I paid $350.00 for mine; however, it's made all the difference in world with both cabinetry and guitar projects. Freud also makes a 3.5 horsepower 5-speed router (with plunge capability) for considerably less, if money is a factor.
Can't stress enough pre-drilling your pockets - if you have access to a drill press - stick a 1/2 or 3/4 inch forstner bit in it and "hog out" as much wood as possible - your route can then be done in one pass/one depth-of-cut, and you won't burn the wood or your bit (or throw the piece across the room, as 3.5 hrs-pwr routers have been known to do!!). (Personally, I pre-drill my pockets and then used a 1/2 inch japanese chisel to square and clean them out - but hey, I'm a fanatic about wood-working that way!)
Great tutorial - especially the focus on safety. Ever seen a shirt sleave (or any other material) get caught in a router spinning at 3600 RPMs? Not a pretty sight.
Look forward to the finished product;
hope this helps,
Larry