Router table from Router Joinery Workshop, any good?

[slarti42uk]

Hi,

I've been looking around here and have seen quite a few posts regarding building a router table. Prior to looking here however, I'd seen a plan in a book and bought some of the materials to make it. I have not yet bought the acrylic for the top (called for in the book) and I wanted to verify whether it was likely to be a good design.

My main reason for asking is that I've seen on this forum many people recommend kitchen worktop, or laminating together two sheets of 18mm MDF then facing and backing it with formica. Both of these options give you a very thick (heavy) top. This design calls for 10mm clear acrylic! much less weight. I was concerned after reading here, that the top would deflect under the weight of the router.

My router is a Ryobi ERT-1150VN and I'm only looking for some thing up to hobby type jobs, but as accurate as possible.

A link to the page from the book is here:
http://www.google.co.uk/books?id=1V...3&hl=en&sig=5BT4NZiylnor2CT8CNFVPBxCV0A&w=575

Or if you search http://www.google.co.uk/books for "router table" and follow the top link you will the whole plan.

Any advice or tips would be great. This is a VERY new hobby for me. :?

Cheers
Steve

 

[DomValente]

Hi Steve and welcome you've been spamulated by the spamulator, don't worry a moderator will be along to fix it.

Dom

 

[Dave S]

Hi Steve,

Those of us that use thick laminated tops often use a special insert made of a plastic inset into the top.

The insert I use is this one, although there are several others of varying degrees of sophistication.

This page illustrates how it can be fitted. The rest of the tips are available from here Many people have built tables along these lines although, as you will have seen from other threads here, there are many other options.

By the way the forum has a filter designed to limit spam on the site. As you have not posted before, it has prevented your links from being displayed. One of the mods will probably sort it out soon.

Welcome to the forum, by the way.

Dave

 

[DaveL]

Hi Steve,

Welcome to the forum.

Your post has been hit by our spamulator, as its your first post, here is an unmangled version:

A link to the page from the book is here:
http://www.google.co.uk/books?id=1V...3&hl=en&sig=5BT4NZiylnor2CT8CNFVPBxCV0A&w=575

Or if you search http://www.google.co.uk/books for "router table" and follow the top link you will the whole plan.

OK so the pictured table is very small, with a small router fitted to it, deflection should not be a problem, but the type of work you can do with such a small table/router set up is limited. For making small boxes it is an ideal setup but could not be use to mould the edge of a 7' length of 6"x1"to use as part of a cabinet, panel raising would also be a non starter.
The router table built by Norm is often used as a start point for home made tables, if you search the forum you will find a number of members who have done this. I am still waiting for the tuit so am still using a Trend MK1 table, which I fit a false top to for some jobs.

Any advice or tips would be great. This is a VERY new hobby for me. :?

By the way beware of the The Slope TM, this warning is probably to late.

 

[slarti42uk]

Thanks for the responses.

My first project is a small chest of drawers, so maybe this table would be too small. I was planning to use it for cutting the tenons, some long grooves in the legs and side rails to take an inset panel, and the "tongue" part of the side panels. (not quite familiar with all the joinery names yet ). Oh and possible a "drawer lock" cutter for the drawer front's. I wanted a dovetail jig but I think I broke the budget just on hand tools!

I did buy an off cut of kitchen worktop today (£8 from B&Q ) so maybe I'll go with that.

Space is also a HUGE issue for me as I don't have a workshop, just a dinning room and a VERY patient wife. Workshop/Shed is slated for project no.2

By the way beware of the The Slope TM, this warning is probably to late.

PS :? Over my head :? Edit: I just got it. Very slow tonight! Yes I have found my wallet lighter and my time spent looking at tools (shiny Woodrat! :wink: ) more than computers (my work and now ex-hobby)

 

[slarti42uk]

Thanks DaveS, for the links. A good set of tips. Cheers