Making Your Own Routertable, Easily!

There have been a number of questions from new woodworkers for more information on the type of routertable I use, so I thought it was perhaps time to do a page on my routertable and to show those interested, just how easy it is to make and what you need, so here we go,,, routertables, 101!

At the outset, let me say this is not going to be one of those big fancy routertables, that Norm on the New Yankee Workshop has with all the bells and whistles. But it will be one which can be used quite efficiently by the "weekend woodworker" to add some nice detailing to their work, to help upgrade the quality of the work produced.

You can purchase the table top with the rabbetted opening to accept the inserts which actually hold your router over the internet at Oak-Park Enterprises Ltd. http://www.routerworkshop.com/ or the material is usually available locally at a good woodworking store, and also at one of the woodworking mail order companies which exist. I got mine at my local Lee Valley Tools Store. After that, all you need is some 3/4" plywood, some screws and glue and you're almost done. Note: there are 2 inserts,,, one with a small opening for your regular sized bits and one with a larger opening for larger bits. I purchased them both, and in time you may wish to so too. These inserts have a variety of mounting holes which accomodate most routers but be sure it wll take yours!

The table top is 16" x 30" x 3/4" and is made from plywood, and it's laminated with a yellow plasticized material, and is edge banded with oak. It has a recessed rabetted opening which fits the 11" base plate, from which your router will hang.

They sell some great accessories too but you don't really need to get all the extras unless you wish. You can purchase materials at a local good woodworking store which are made of the same materials, from which you can make your own fence and other similar accessories,,, but at a fraction of the cost.

NOTE:
At this writing 11/29/04, the router table top is part number #T040, costs $76.95 and the standard base plate is $39.95 (be sure you select the correct one for your router) and they are available from Oak-Park Enterprises Ltd. whose number is 1-800-665-0252.

FRAME OF ROUTERTABLE

I made a 16" tall frame from 3/4" plywood, for the top to sit on like the top view plan I've shown to the left. The exact size is up to you to accomodate your router. I felt that a compartment 15 1/2" wide was adequate for my router. As long as it's big enough so that you can remove your router easily and make adjustments to it while it's hanging from the insert, then it's big enough. The centre piece gives support to the centre of the top and also creates a storage space in the right section of the unit.

All the pieces are joined together with yellow carpenter's glue and screws.

I attached the purchased top to the uprights of the frame with small "L" brachets and screws, and I find it adequately sturdy.

From the size of the top, you can see that there will be a bit of an overhang. This is required so that you have an edge to which you can clamp your fence and/or other fixtures.

Add a bottom to your unit to complete it's construction. I also added a box to the bottom of my unit, also made from 3/4" plywood. It was 17 1/2" high and is for storage and to make the table the height at which I like to work.

I also cut a hole in the back of the unit for the electrical plug to exit from the back of the unit.

When the frame is completed, finish with 2 coats of varnish and attach the "store bought" top to the frame using at least 2 small "L" brackets and screws per upright.

This is a very basic router table, but it will allow you to give a lot of nice treatments to your work thereby elevating your work's quality and appearance.

You may also notice a slot running from left to right in the top edge of the top at the front. I added this for an extra mitre gauge I had. This is not needed for basic routing but 3/4" metal inserts are available if you wish to do this too.

Note: Since the time I made this page, I bought a new 1/2" Makita 2 1/2 HP router to replace my 1/4" Craftsman .9 HP. Making things easier for me, it just happened use the same plate, from which the router hangs. But there would have been no problem even if it didn't. All I would have had to do is to purchase another of the inserts which are not expensive.

This router table has everything going for it. It works great, it's very flexible and it's not very expensive.

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