Router Table Question

[jbrewer]

Looking to build a router table - something simple and sufficient. I came across these free plans on the Internet and thought I'd run it by the experts before proceeding. http://www.woodworking.org/WC/GArchive98/7_10johnsrtab1.html

Another question I have - what is the normal height for one of these tables? The one in the link above appears to be short. I'm only 5'8, but even 32" seems like I'd still do a lot of bending.

I have yet to learn how to use a router as much as I should - so maybe having a decent work station will encourage me to get some practice in - the free hand method scares me.

Thanks in advance for the input.

 

[DaveO]

John, a router table is just something flat with a router hanging from the underside. It can be as simple as a piece of plywood to as elaborate as the one you've shown. The most important thing is a flat smooth top. The rest just holds up the top. The plan you linked looks like a very nice set up, similar to the NYW style. For determining height, find something in the house that feels like a comfortable height, low enough so you can easily provide downward pressure to the table, but high enough so you aren't stooping over, and measure that. For what it's worth, mine is 38" high and I'm 6'3"

I think that you will find with a well built router work surface that you will use it much more. I have found that to be true in my case, the last jewelry box I made, I cut almost all the joinery on the RT.
You are more than welcome to drop by and see how I made mine, and give the height a test spin.

Dave

 

[lwhughes149]

While we are discussing router tables does anyone know anything about the attachments that place a router onto the end of a tablesaw and how can you build one yourself. I am thinking of buying the insert for my Porter Cable and just dropping it in.

 

[SteveColes]

While we are discussing router tables does anyone know anything about the attachments that place a router onto the end of a tablesaw and how can you build one yourself. I am thinking of buying the insert for my Porter Cable and just dropping it in.

Just looking around this site will help give some ideas.

 

[Gofor]

I'm 5'8 also and somewhat on the old side. 36" for me is my best heighth for running pieces over router and for my TS. For working on the top surface of a piece (hand planing, etc), 32" to 34" works well.

My .02:lol:

 

[D L Ames]

While we are discussing router tables does anyone know anything about the attachments that place a router onto the end of a tablesaw and how can you build one yourself. I am thinking of buying the insert for my Porter Cable and just dropping it in.

Lorraine, here is a link to one that Monty made. And here is a link to how he set up his fence for it. He added a cabinet under his but it could be made the same way with out the cabinet.

D L

 

[lwhughes149]

Thanks DL, I saved the information, I need a router table for my new Porter Cable. Thanks also to Steve, I saved his information as well.

 

[Alan in Little Washington]

I agree with what others have said.

With regard to the table in your link, the dust collection piping is WAY TOO SMALL. Go with a minimum of 4" to the cabinet and depending how you draw from the fence (either separate pipe or through the top a la NYW version) 3" or 4" also.

 

[Joe Scharle]

While we are discussing router tables does anyone know anything about the attachments that place a router onto the end of a tablesaw and how can you build one yourself. I am thinking of buying the insert for my Porter Cable and just dropping it in.

The upside down box part is simple enough, but your TS fence rails may require you to lay in T tracks for your RT fence instead of just clamping the fence ends. Still simple enough, but I couldn't pass on a scratch & dent from MLCS for $70.00 (free ship), with insert & hardware, ready to go. The 2 that I built are at 34" and I'm 6'. It just feels right to me.

 

[lwhughes149]

What is MLCS. I would like to make my own router table.

 

[cpowell]

What is MLCS. I would like to make my own router table.

Lorraine, it's MLCS Woodworking...Here's a link.

http://mlcswoodworking.com/

Chuck

 

[jbrewer]

You are more than welcome to drop by and see how I made mine, and give the height a test spin.

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Thanks Dave - I liked your table when I saw it the last time I was over and that's what sparked me to looking to build one for myself. I'd love to come by - would sometime Friday evening or Saturday be good for you?

 

[SteveColes]

John, there was a rather long discussion on this sometime last year. Even though the thread was about buying a router and a router table, most of what is being said there still applies there.

To sum up my position, if you are new to using a RT, then you really don't know what you need. One person's ideal is another person's nightmare. So, kludge up something inexpensive. Use it for a while and then you'll know more about what you want or need.

 

[DavidF]

John, there was a rather long discussion on this sometime last year. Even though the thread was about buying a router and a router table, most of what is being said there still applies there.

To sum up my position, if you are new to using a RT, then you really don't know what you need. One person's ideal is another person's nightmare. So, kludge up something inexpensive. Use it for a while and then you'll know more about what you want or need.

That's a good piece of advise Steve and you may find out you actaully don't need much. As DaveO said a flat surface to mounthe router and a straight edge as a fence. Sometimes just a pivoting fence is better than trying make a table saw like fence.

 

[lwhughes149]

Some one said not to buy a Porta Cable. Just got a new one and planning to buy the insert to adapt to it and build my table around it. Thoughts?

 

[SteveColes]

Some one said not to buy a Porta Cable. Just got a new one and planning to buy the insert to adapt to it and build my table around it. Thoughts?

Which porter Cable?

 

[BobN]

Some one said not to buy a Porta Cable. Just got a new one and planning to buy the insert to adapt to it and build my table around it. Thoughts?

Why? What's wrong with Porter Cable? I've got 5 of them, a 7518 in my table, a 310 trim router and 3 690s. They're run forever.
Also got a Bosch, but I don't use it much.

Bob

 

[DaveO]

You are more than welcome to drop by and see how I made mine, and give the height a test spin.

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Thanks Dave - I liked your table when I saw it the last time I was over and that's what sparked me to looking to build one for myself. I'd love to come by - would sometime Friday evening or Saturday be good for you?

Either would work well for me....I never go anywhere :-D

Dave

 

[lwhughes149]

I have a 690 purchased after watching friend use his. His was just replaced after ten years of good service. I like the way it comes apart for replacing bits. He gave me the attachment that goes under the table and the plumge attachment. Now I just need a table and insert for that router.

 

[gator]

Here's mine, made on the cheap. It has a pivoting fence as mentioned above. There are other pictures in the album and one of the current upgraded fence (also home made and pivoting). A description is below the picture.

http://www.ncwoodworker.net/gallery/showimage.php?i=497&c=198

George