Router bench

[NickVanBeest]

So I had this (incomplete) router table for a while

...but as it is quite bulky, and my new workshop/shed is tiny, I needed a new plan that takes up less footprint, so came up with this design:

New footprint 600 x 350, and a bit storage compartment as well as other storage spaces.

So, as I had OSB left from the inside cladding of the shed (bought a sheet too much!) started by breaking it down

Quick check that I had the parts I needed

And on to routing shallow (5mm) dado's to easy the assembly

Which worked out quite well!

Started dry assembly, just to be sure I didn't mess up

And checked that the shortened top (was 700mm, now 600mm) fit as expected

Then continued with the dry assembly after I finished all the remaining dado's

Before gluing and screwing, I (luckily) remembered to add the rails for the bit shelves

And as there is a 10 image limit, will continue in the next post

 

[NickVanBeest]

So, on to the actual assembly, and strange, but apparently I didn't take any pictures of the bulk glue, screw and clamping process!

When the carcass was done, added the castors

And flipped it over, and slid in the shelves to test that I didn't mess up

No pictures apparently of fixing the top and the strengthening strips for the hinges...

So, hinges attached to the top

And that to the carcass

And, although they're not fixed yet, tested the legs

So still a bit to go, but overall pleased with the progress!

 

[Droogs]

What made you go with OSB over Ply?

 

[Darrenp]

What made you go with OSB over Ply?

I reckon he had a sheet left over

 

[NickVanBeest]

What made you go with OSB over Ply?

Like Darrenp said, had one left over, why let it go to waste?

 

[Rorton]

great idea, love space saving projects

 

[Rorton]

how did you cut your dados by the way, did you have a top mounted bearing that ran against the 2 bits of OSB you used as guides? (do they call them a pattern bit)

 

[NickVanBeest]

how did you cut your dados by the way, did you have a top mounted bearing that ran against the 2 bits of OSB you used as guides? (do they call them a pattern bit)

Short cutter, bearing guided, slightly better visible here:

And then 2 passes, first forward against the left guide, and backward against the right guide

 

[NickVanBeest]

So, after the last post, I went back to the shop, and had something like, wait, this still takes up way too much space when operational, and I will need to move stuff around too much! Back to the drawing board... (or in this case, SketchUp)

Came up with this design, with the first picture showing operational mode, and then 3 pictures of how it lifts, turns, and is stored.





Seemed to work in SketchUp, so off to the shed again...

Two pieces of ply, from the old router table, reshaped... (did cut more off the corners before sanding, in case you wonder why I would sand such an awful lot!)

 

[NickVanBeest]

Testing...


Adding brackets...


And assembling


Flipped over, and yes, it works as expected!

Storage position


Pulled out before flipping


And in operational mode


Much more stable, no front legs needed


And stores away in a 600 x 300 foorprint!


Next, add latches for operational mode, and then on to making the bit shelves...

 

[NickVanBeest]

Bit of a standstill on the project, as I first have to sort out all the screws, nails, nuts, bolts and washers I have accumulated over the years... it's a right mess, but am slowly getting there, with roughly 65% done!

Feels like sacrilege throwing away some of it, but then, what am I going to do with a single 80mm zinc-plated screw, for instance?

 

[J-G]

Feels like sacrilege throwing away some of it, but then, what am I going to do with a single 80mm zinc-plated screw, for instance?

You'll need one next week !

 

[NickVanBeest]

Finally a bit more progress (cold and my mental state, caused by the pandemic, doesn't allow for much working, as I know to stay out of the shed with it's sharp tools when not in a good state of mind...)

Have attached the latches to fix the top in operational mode:

And started making the first bit tray:

Glued it on:

And first tray ready:

Now need to make a jig for drilling the holes, and another for routing a sample cut with the bit, and then I can finally sort out the loose bits lying around

 

[Lazurus]

Nice work and well planned and executed design

 

[JangoTrooper]

Really nice! Be great to see plans.

 

[NickVanBeest]

Really nice! Be great to see plans.

Don't really have plans, adapting as I go along

Can draw up something when done with the project...

 

[NickVanBeest]

Realised I had a 1/4" bit, so rather than drilling with a 6mm (too tight) or 7mm (too loose) drill, I could use the router to plunge the holes needed.

Jig time!

Basic jig at the start:

And a side view:

When putting the router on there, I realised I needed a support on the front side as well, so added that:

And some splines to tighten the blocks while "drilling":

First test block:

And in it's place (although I still want to write the dimensions on there, and make a little sample cut on the front)

And the end of today's shed time:

 

[NickVanBeest]

Finally continuing the build... after a long hiatus and some other projects, it's time to carry on, and finish this one

Bought some t-track

Installed the long one across the top, and tested it with the mitre guide

All three pieces installed

And yes, a little ****oo when routing in the last one, guess my concentration slipped