Can You Router End Grain?

You can router end grain without any tear-out provided you clamp a supporting piece to the side of the piece being routed, use a sharp carbide bit and take light passes (not more than 1/32" inches in each pass). Routing an end-grain is problematic due to the tear-out and splitting it can cause to the wood piece.

Should you cut the long grain of a board first on the router table?

Rout the end grain first and use a backer board. That's the best way to reduce your chances of blowing out a corner. The backer board supports the cut so the corner has no chance to tear away. Make sure the backer piece is at least as thick as the piece you're routing.

Do you go clockwise or counterclockwise with a router?

When routing by hand, the proper feed direction for inside cutouts (left) is clockwise. Feed the router counterclockwise for routing the outer edges. Inverting a router in a router table changes the feed direction from handheld routing. For inside cutouts, feed the workpiece counterclockwise.