My First Ever Router Table!
Introduction: My First Ever Router Table!
This project has been inspired by Woodsmith Magazine. By far I think, is one of the best designs over the interweb, though I am not going to share exact dimensions, I want you to have a rough idea of what this design features so that you can make your own.
I have a YouTube video that makes things way clearer and exciting.
Supplies
+Lumber (pine)
+Router
+Woodglue
+3/8" bolts, washers and nuts
+Knobs
+Outlet switch
Step 1: Legs and Stretchers
To make the frame start by cutting half laps one on top and one on bottom. Do that by cutting on your table saw and remember that there are four legs and three stretchers, all of them made out of 2x4"s. After that glue them forming two frames that are solid enough to stand alone, you can plane them if you want everything to sit flush.
Step 2: Structure Assembly
Once you have two frames, make a template to drill the holes so that you can pass the bolt through and join the legs and stretchers, use a ratchet to adjust them and right after that, attach the angle brackets to fasten the table top.
Step 3: Table Top
I made the table top out of two tops that were prefab at the homecenter and glue them together to form a reliable top that is dead flat.
Then I rounded the corners with a template to trace, rough cut with my jigsaw and flush trim with my router.
Step 4: Insert
The insert is the part to attach your router to the main table. 599
I made this one out of acrylic because it is strong and transparent. Simply cut it to final depth and mark the position on the table top with a marking gauge. Drill 1" holes for your fingers to pass through and holes to pass the screws for the router base.
Step 5: Table Top Hole
You'll need to make a hole to sit the insert and router through. Drill a 1" hole through the table top and rough cut the shaoe with a jigsaw, then use some straight edges to flush trim everything, including that you'll have to route a recess of the thickness of the insert to sit flush.
Step 6: Groove and Safety Accesory
Use your flush trim bit to route a groove so that you can slide jigs and sliders later. A safety accesory will prevent your hand from ever touching the bit, so temporarily clamp a piece of lumber to use it as a fence, and route two slots for height adjustment in a 1/2" board, once done, use a template to make an acrylic semi-circle and finally screw them together.
Step 7: Fence and T-Track
Rip cut two pieces to make the fence, using your table saw, cut some sort of mortises to pass the bolts for the sliders through and then attach both pieces.
On top of the fence the design features a T-Track that is used to place the hand safety device, feather boards and other type of jigs, to make it cut two identical boards route a 1/2" groove and then make half a T with the table saw, then glue both of them together, and you have a T-Track, glue and clamp it on top of the fence and trim the excess.
Finally cut an opening for the bit to pass through using the table saw.
Step 8: Clamps and Knobs
I made my own knobs with plywood, but you can purchase them.
If you want to DIY them, laser cut the template attached and stick it to the plywood with double-sided tape, then use your router table to free hand the shape using a flush trim bit with a bearing on top.
Make a clamp of the thickness of the fence and drill a 3/8" hole to pass a bolt through, the importance of making a kerf in it is to align it with the fence and hold it firmly.
Repeat this with the knobs for the back as well and clamp everything to the table top.
You now have a router table. 599