Day: March 11, 2018
How do you take your woodworking to a new level? Usually you need more equipment, right? And a router table is coveted by many aspiring woodworkers. But why waste money buying one if you can simply follow the complete guide for building a router table?
Even basic woodworking skills are enough to manufacture this quality working area. Then you can save time and improve the quality of your work. Get your tools ready and transform your hobby overnight.
Why are you making a router table? Your answer determines what kind of table you should consider:
What are your needs and priorities? Customize the plan below to suit them so your router table is as practical as possible.
You’ll use many skills in this project, which also require different tools:
Ready to get started? This video shows many skills you’ll use while following this guide.
Your router top needs a sturdy framework to support it and the weight of your future woodworking projects. You also need to lift your top off the floor to create the space for the router that will be fixed to the bottom.
A simple option is building a framework from maple wood and planks:
This unit can provide valuable storage space. Add side panels, a bottom and a door to form a cabinet if you want. Don’t add shelves before measuring out the space the router will take up.
Once your foundation is ready, it’s time for your top.
Your top will be made of a large piece of wood. Depending on your router’s size, practical dimensions are 3’x4’.
Here’s what you do:
Your Perspex face plate will rest on this rabbet.
Perspex allows you to view your router, giving you more control. If anything malfunctions you’ll notice it and you can make adjustments easier when you have your eye on the lever.
This is much better than getting on all fours to make proper adjustments from underneath your router table. As you progress from beginner woodworking projects to more advanced ones, time becomes an important factor. These small details in your workshop layout help you complete jobs faster.
Can you see how stylish your router table will be?
This part is easy. A fence is simply a long piece of wood you use as guide when pushing projects across your router table.
In general a 32” long plywood piece is sufficient. Cut a half circle hole where the fence will meet the router head. Screw a narrow piece of wood over this half circle for safety. Now nothing can accidentally fall onto the router bit or down the hole.
Your fence can be fixed to the top using:
Both of these clamp the fence to the table. You can easily loosen the knob and adjust the position according to your project’s requirements.
It’s wise to make more than one fence. Narrow fences are ideal when working with small parts. If you need more support working with large pieces of wood, a higher fence ensures the wood doesn’t accidentally flip over.
You’ve created everything you need to build your router table. Assembly is easy:
It should look something like this:
Now you can simply clamp your fence to the wooden top
Easy assembly also means it’s easy to take apart. If you need to store your router or the table, you simply unscrew the parts. Take it out again when you need the table for other projects.
Your final touches are about aesthetics and practicality. Prevent getting hurt by sanding away any rough edges or splinters.
That’s all it takes! You just created a new router table so you can attempt even more intricate woodworking projects in future. Ready for another one?