southendwoodworker
Established Member
Hello all,
I thought I would share a router table I just made. I had previously made a countertop router table out of 6 and 12mm MDF, using a lidl router. It was not good and didn't last long.
I already had a bench that I use for some other equipment, it is a simple bench using cheap timber, so I was able to extend out a couple arms which the router table will then sit upon.
My setup:
I used these three router bits:
The ply I used was some cheap and nasty stuff sourced from B&Q which was left over from another project, I glued two layers together then cut on the table saw to 600x400mm
Using cad software I designed the layout of the cutout I needed to make, I wanted to have a hole for the router but I also needed a step going around the inside to support the plate and provide room for the plate levellers. From the cad designed I used that to make a template out of 3mm mdf. This allowed me to check the size the hole, placement of levelling fixings and check that the whole was big enough to get my router through.
The template is shown below has a few things I want to point out
Below I have used multiple passes of the template cutter to cut through cleanly. I also made small pilot holes where the levelling fixings will ultimately be so.
Levelling fixings, these are M8 size. I had originally planned to have 10 of these to level the plate, but after putting in ones for each corner I found they were enough.
Below you can see that I routed out the step that supports the plate. The left side and the top are fine, the right and the bottom are pretty ugly, but thats hidden and the levelling fixings happily accommodate that mistake. I first tried routing the step using the template cutter, but it was too deep of a bit and I couldnt accurately get the template high enough. In the end I just ended up buying a cheap yonico stubby template router bit which was easier to work with. Luckily when I purchased it I found one that was the perfect width for my t-track. Two routing problems solved!
I then routed out two slots for the t-tracks that will be used to move the fence.
I wanted to make a new sacrificial fence, the rockler drill press kit come with a couple already, but I know that I am going to destroy them pretty quick because I am still learning. To route the slot that is used to attach these to the aluminium fence I used another cheap yonico bit from amazon.
I then attached the router to the plate, adjusted the levelling screws, and put together.
I thought I would share a router table I just made. I had previously made a countertop router table out of 6 and 12mm MDF, using a lidl router. It was not good and didn't last long.
I already had a bench that I use for some other equipment, it is a simple bench using cheap timber, so I was able to extend out a couple arms which the router table will then sit upon.
My setup:
- Triton MOF001
- Rockler Drill Press Fence
- Rockler Pro Aluminium Plate
- Charnwood W026 NVR
- 2 x 200mm Banggood t-tracks
I used these three router bits:
The ply I used was some cheap and nasty stuff sourced from B&Q which was left over from another project, I glued two layers together then cut on the table saw to 600x400mm
Using cad software I designed the layout of the cutout I needed to make, I wanted to have a hole for the router but I also needed a step going around the inside to support the plate and provide room for the plate levellers. From the cad designed I used that to make a template out of 3mm mdf. This allowed me to check the size the hole, placement of levelling fixings and check that the whole was big enough to get my router through.
The template is shown below has a few things I want to point out
- the whole template butted up to the right hand side of the table and the ensured the plate would be cut square to the edges of the table, and also space it so that it is perfectly center
- The inner template is removable, allowing me to cut out using a jigsaw then using a flush trim bit against the template to make nice
- The outer template will be used to define the step that I am needing
- It has marking for where the levelling fixings will go (the ten circles)
- I cut out the template on a laser cutter in to 3mm mdf
Below I have used multiple passes of the template cutter to cut through cleanly. I also made small pilot holes where the levelling fixings will ultimately be so.
Levelling fixings, these are M8 size. I had originally planned to have 10 of these to level the plate, but after putting in ones for each corner I found they were enough.
Below you can see that I routed out the step that supports the plate. The left side and the top are fine, the right and the bottom are pretty ugly, but thats hidden and the levelling fixings happily accommodate that mistake. I first tried routing the step using the template cutter, but it was too deep of a bit and I couldnt accurately get the template high enough. In the end I just ended up buying a cheap yonico stubby template router bit which was easier to work with. Luckily when I purchased it I found one that was the perfect width for my t-track. Two routing problems solved!
I then routed out two slots for the t-tracks that will be used to move the fence.
I wanted to make a new sacrificial fence, the rockler drill press kit come with a couple already, but I know that I am going to destroy them pretty quick because I am still learning. To route the slot that is used to attach these to the aluminium fence I used another cheap yonico bit from amazon.
I then attached the router to the plate, adjusted the levelling screws, and put together.
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