Router table

From FlutterbyNet

Notes on building one

The Incra Universal Positioning Jig looks really cool, but now I'm back into "Dave Gingery" mode, wondering what I can build myself. For precision alignment, if you get the slider working okay, I'm wondering how accurate a 32 TPI hacksaw blade is. If that's crossed with a utility knife blade (or other sharp hardened steel), that might make a good 1/32" indexer.

Also need to haunt the bargain bin for some cheap tape measures to take apart and screw down for guides. Or just use the inkjet printer!

Incra Also makes the Incra Ultra router table positioning jig which looks even cooler (at double the price).

Also worth noting: #6, #8 and #10 fine bolt threads are 32TPI, which might make a good indexing system.

Jeff Greef's Benchtop Router Table plans show a laminated and machined top. Even if the laminated bench surface isn't necessary, the machining technique is worth filing away.

Rather than routing through gaps for the rail guides, the rail could be clamped on the ends of the table.

Current efforts

Back when we first got our Festool products I built a router table. Rather than using the snazzy new Festool OF1010, I used my old Craftsman 1.5HP beast. Huge difference in tools, but when bolted to a hard surface and used with hearing protection the Craftsman is tolerable, at least until we decide to spring for a Porter-Cable or a Triton with built in lift. The router cable clamps on to the top of the Festool MFT 1080 table, and when I'm not using the router I can lean the thing up against the wall.

It's got a slot in the back of the support rails that the clamps slide into. Note the 1/2" threaded rod joiners which happen to be exactly the right size to fit in the table holes (they're bolted in from the top, and then sealed in with epoxy), and the slices in the rear of the main support beams which will take the through-table clamps, at least until I can find or build knobs with 1/2" bolts to use the threaded couplers.

The dust-collection is still "in-progress", probably going to wait 'til we get a real solid router.

For assembly, I made sure that the bolts in the lengthwise pieces fit the holes, cut and fitted the cross pieces, then glued just the cross pieces to the board (with the length pieces fitted, but unglued), upside down, with some monster weights on the cross pieces. Then I applied glue to the lengthwise pieces and put the whole thing on the table so that the alignment would be precise while the glue dried.

Gaps are routed out of the plastic on the coating so that the glue sticks. Have I mentioned that I love the OF 1010 EQ router and the guide rails?