Had a guy (Young_Version) ask me to make some house vents for him and while making them I decided I needed a new router table. The table I've been using is a simple thing made from MDF that we used at the car audio shop. It was a basic thing. No dust collection built in, no miter track or anything, just a MDF frame with a pocket for a JessEm router lift and an Alucobond top surface.
It was fine at the shop because it was in a dedicated wood shop and dust wasn't a big concern. BUT...at home it makes a big fawkin' mess. And it was fawkin' good at it. :ror:
I researched different router table ideas/plans and didn't see anything that made sense to me. Seems like everyone builds a router table for nothing but routing. Whether it's a freestanding table or an extension on a table saw, the only purpose they serve is for routing. They're not big enough to be used for anything when you're not powering up the router. I wanted something that would allow me to have the ability to rout anything I'd want, but when it wasn't being used as a router would still serve a purpose.
Like, say...a workbench.
With the general idea in my head I went to Woodcraft to get some Incra miter and T-Tracks. Wanted to go ahead and get the router fence but they didn't have it. While there I saw they had a sale on 1 1/2" x 27" x 60" birch workbench tops. Grabbed one of those as well.
A few pics.
Special Agent came over and, while BSing, I cut a slot for the miter track and the pocket for the router lift.
Rubbed some Minwax Natural stain on it.
Then I realized I put the miter slot where the T-Track was supposed to go.:roll: Shouldn't have been BSing so much. :lol:
Cut a new slot for the miter track (in the proper location this time) and widened and extended the slot for the T-Track. With the new top laying on the old router table the work height is 38 3/4" which is good for me.
Picked up a couple of sheets of 3/4" maple plywood - couldn't get birch, but that's OK. I figure the base cabinet will be 56" wide and 24-25" deep. Plan on four 2 1/2" swivel casters. The two fronts will have dual locking brakes.
Spent some time getting the basic framework drawn up and had a buddy come over to have some electrical work done. Did that and got him to hold one of of a sheet of plywood while I cut the back out with a 18V DeWalt. Used a piece of 3/16" for a fence/guide.
So the back is cut out, need to cut the two sides and the main shelves. I figure once I get the main assembly dry fit I'll have an easier time determining exactly what size drawers I want in that small section on the top right.
Anyway, here's a sketch of the general idea. Sort of to scale (1" = 1') for overall width/length.
It was fine at the shop because it was in a dedicated wood shop and dust wasn't a big concern. BUT...at home it makes a big fawkin' mess. And it was fawkin' good at it. :ror:
I researched different router table ideas/plans and didn't see anything that made sense to me. Seems like everyone builds a router table for nothing but routing. Whether it's a freestanding table or an extension on a table saw, the only purpose they serve is for routing. They're not big enough to be used for anything when you're not powering up the router. I wanted something that would allow me to have the ability to rout anything I'd want, but when it wasn't being used as a router would still serve a purpose.
Like, say...a workbench.
With the general idea in my head I went to Woodcraft to get some Incra miter and T-Tracks. Wanted to go ahead and get the router fence but they didn't have it. While there I saw they had a sale on 1 1/2" x 27" x 60" birch workbench tops. Grabbed one of those as well.
A few pics.
Special Agent came over and, while BSing, I cut a slot for the miter track and the pocket for the router lift.
Rubbed some Minwax Natural stain on it.
Then I realized I put the miter slot where the T-Track was supposed to go.:roll: Shouldn't have been BSing so much. :lol:
Cut a new slot for the miter track (in the proper location this time) and widened and extended the slot for the T-Track. With the new top laying on the old router table the work height is 38 3/4" which is good for me.
Picked up a couple of sheets of 3/4" maple plywood - couldn't get birch, but that's OK. I figure the base cabinet will be 56" wide and 24-25" deep. Plan on four 2 1/2" swivel casters. The two fronts will have dual locking brakes.
Spent some time getting the basic framework drawn up and had a buddy come over to have some electrical work done. Did that and got him to hold one of of a sheet of plywood while I cut the back out with a 18V DeWalt. Used a piece of 3/16" for a fence/guide.
So the back is cut out, need to cut the two sides and the main shelves. I figure once I get the main assembly dry fit I'll have an easier time determining exactly what size drawers I want in that small section on the top right.
Anyway, here's a sketch of the general idea. Sort of to scale (1" = 1') for overall width/length.
