Looking for a router table

[alteran]

I need a router table and I could either make one or buy one. Anyone have a comment on one that you like? Plans for one I can make? Any other helpful info?

I'll be using it for basic router operations, doesn't need every bell and whistle but a few nifty options would be nice. Already have a Makita router.

Al.

[NormMessinger]

I got a router base plate and kit for making the table insert from Lee Valley a while back, cut the insert into a piece of chip board which I clamp on the side of the table saw or bench when I need to route. Primitive but mission adequate. With the kit from Lee Valley, some high density laminate on good wood it would make a dandy router table as easy as I can imagine.

[Corrib]

have a look around this site, lots of jigs,fixtures and other good free stuff

http://absolutelyfreeplans.com/INDOOR%20PROJECTS/indoor_projects.htm

Regards

Kevin

[cs]

I've been thinking about making a router table out of counter tops. The plastic laminate would give you a good smooth surface.

Chad

[alteran]

http://store.yahoo.com/plansnow/dn3061.html

Here is one I found that looks interesting. Mounts on the rails of a table saw with dust collection through the hollow fence.

[Bob Perkins]

Believe it or not - The current router table plan from the new yankee workshop is great.

I built the original one from 1996 and still use it. Norm updated the design and his current edition is even better. I recommend it highly. If I ever sold my router table - I'd build the new version

Good Luck,
Bob

[ 10-28-2004, 12:50 PM: Message edited by: Bob Perkins ]

[Ron Williamson]

I like the router table combined with the table saw and a cut-out fence that clamps onto the TS fence.I also like my other set up,where the RT(actually a piece of ply with a hole in it and a 2x4 screwed to the bottom)is clamped into the bench vise.
R

[Bill Perkins]

Chad mine is a partial sheet of HDO ply that I typically set across horses .It's nice not to be limited to a 25 in. width, like most countertops .Maybe a sheet of MDO would be comparable in price .

[ 10-28-2004, 01:01 PM: Message edited by: Bill Perkins ]

[Cosmo Lengro]

This one by a WB poster ain't too bad. Router Table (http://pages.sbcglobal.net/djf3rd/page9.html)

[ 10-28-2004, 01:39 PM: Message edited by: Cosmo Lengro ]

[Scott5]

An unusual way to go about it: buy a Ryobi 3100BT table saw. There's a fan group (yes, really a table saw fan group - at bt3central.com) that convinced me to get this cheapish ($299 I think) table saw from home depot.

I am exceptionally impressed with the saw - and the frued blade it comes standard! with - and this tool makes it's home without excuse among my small bosch, fein, & porter cable tool collection.

Anyway - to the point of this thread - this saw includes a basic router mounting area in the table surface that lets you then use the saw's large stanble table, locking fence, your own jigs, etc., for your occassional routing work.

[Bob Cleek]

One of these days, when I find the need for it, I guess I'll build a router table. I lust after those new nifty inserts that drop into the table saw tables and let you crank 'em up just so without fiddling with the router itself. Funny thing, though, I never seem to have encountered a need for one great enough to take the trouble to build one. I know, there must be one, but it just hasn't come along. Perhaps the greatest reason for this is a dangerous, and hence effective, solution I learned watching a master boatbuilder turn out half round trim one day. He just clamped his router in his wood working vise upside down with the bit up. Put a bearing on the bit to limit the depth of cut and just fed the stock past it. Worked like a charm. Of course, as Norm would say, "First, a word about shop safety." You do have to keep your mind on what you are doing.

[JimConlin]

I'm very short on shop space and couldn't fit another stationary tool of any kind. I have a Rouuseau plate mounted in the extension table of the table saw. The Biesemeyer can be used. I have a couple of accessory fences, and it does the job.
Dust collection, Schmust collection!

[Dave R]

Al, I have a Bench Dog table that I've been using for about 5 yrs. It's very good. I contemplated building one but decided to buy a top and make the legs for it. I considered putting a router table on the tablesaw as an extension but there are times when I want to leave either the saw or the router set up and use the other. I still periodically think about going that route but then I do something where I'm glad they aren't together.

Is your Makita router of the plunge variety? If so, you could make a lifter for a couple of bucks like I did. It is very simple but effective. It's light enough that I leave it on the router all the time. It also makes it a simple matter to make very fine adjustments when hand holding the router. Here's a picture of it.
http://www.woodshopphotos.com/albums/Dave-R1s-Album/routerlift.jpg

What sort of stuff are you planning to do with this router table?