That was my first router table. It let me grasp the CONCEPT of using a table and a router to put an edge onto a piece of wood, or perhaps cut a slot or whatever. I soon realized that a router table needs to be MUCH larger and heavier, if I was going to route anything of substantial size. However, this is a good START with this bench top table.

Start with small things. Clock faces, serving trays, etc. Learn how to feed wood into a router bit correctly. Then you can graduate to a larger and more powerful table. Enjoy the journey. A router is perhaps the most versatile tool in any wood shop!

Joe

 

Thank you Joe! I appreciate that confirmation and will be making a more substantial table with Insert for router that actually fits my Hercules, which has universal connections. And, I agree, the router IS the most versatile and useful tool as I’m learning!
Gratefully,

Joe

 

Hi @JOE-WOOD. Happy to have you join the fun. I used to be a perfectionist, but wood moves, expands, contracts, so the best you can do is be as accurate as possible. Some projects will actually tear themselves apart with this movement, so you learn how to allow for it.

I don't think the little table in the picture will serve you well. It's way too small for the kinds of projects you're interested in building. I suggest you make your own table, starting with the top. And if you don't have a router yet, get a good one. A Bosch 1617 is a great choice and works fine in a table or the occasional freehand project. There are other name brands, but every Bosch tool I have is very accurate. Making your own table is an excellent first project. You will need to get a rectangular plate for your specific router, which will fit into a recess in the table top. I suggest two layers, half inch on top 3/4 underneath. Instructions are attached.

Given the type of projects you plan to make, I urge you to look up the marc Sommerfeld videos on YouTube, and in your case, contact Sommerfeld.com and purchase the full set of his videos, each of them focused on one type of project. He was a cabinet maker before going into the router accessory business, so his methods are really excellent, and elegantly simple. I use many of his bits, which are plremium. However, I also like Freud's bits.

Your router should have a half inch collet, the Bosch EVSPK kit comes with a fixed and plunge base, and half and quarter inch collets. You'll use the fixed base in the table, the plunge for freehand work. The motor lifts out for use in both bases.

If you are doing any cabinetry, you MUST have a table saw. You could use a Track Saw, but it's too easy to cut out of square, which is a nightmare for cabinetry, boxes or any other project. Bosch makes the best moderately priced portable table saw, and will let you use dado sets (multiple blades for cutting perfect grooves (Dados), also important for cabinetry and shelving. It also uses the standard 3/4 inch size slots so you can add precision accessories and rails for jigs. Jigs are your friend and you will find they make many projects much easier. You want to be precise when making jigs, which is something you'll likely enjoy.

I don't know what tools or experience you have with woodworking, but one thing you can count on is asking questions here. Sometimes you'll learn there are several ways of doing things.

I've attached two pdfs. On one making your own table top and the other is a long compeneium covering the 18+ things that really accelerated my learning curve. It may save you some money. For example, I bought a really good sliding miter saw, but really only needed a simple chop saw to cut long pieces to length. But there are many other ways to do that and I wish I'd not spent the money on that. I do use it to make the first angled cut for picture frames, but I could do that on the table saw with an accurate miter gauge, like the Incra miter gauge.

I suggest you start with making cabinets for your tools. Good projects to get your feet wet. and you'll use them forever.
--

 

Hi @JOE-WOOD. Happy to have you join the fun. I used to be a perfectionist, but wood moves, expands, contracts, so the best you can do is be as accurate as possible. Some projects will actually tear themselves apart with this movement, so you learn how to allow for it.

I don't think the little table in the picture will serve you well. It's way too small for the kinds of projects you're interested in building. I suggest you make your own table, starting with the top. And if you don't have a router yet, get a good one. A Bosch 1617 is a great choice and works fine in a table or the occasional freehand project. There are other name brands, but every Bosch tool I have is very accurate. Making your own table is an excellent first project. You will need to get a rectangular plate for your specific router, which will fit into a recess in the table top. I suggest two layers, half inch on top 3/4 underneath. Instructions are attached.

Given the type of projects you plan to make, I urge you to look up the marc Sommerfeld videos on YouTube, and in your case, contact Sommerfeld.com and purchase the full set of his videos, each of them focused on one type of project. He was a cabinet maker before going into the router accessory business, so his methods are really excellent, and elegantly simple. I use many of his bits, which are plremium. However, I also like Freud's bits.

Your router should have a half inch collet, the Bosch EVSPK kit comes with a fixed and plunge base, and half and quarter inch collets. You'll use the fixed base in the table, the plunge for freehand work. The motor lifts out for use in both bases.

If you are doing any cabinetry, you MUST have a table saw. You could use a Track Saw, but it's too easy to cut out of square, which is a nightmare for cabinetry, boxes or any other project. Bosch makes the best moderately priced portable table saw, and will let you use dado sets (multiple blades for cutting perfect grooves (Dados), also important for cabinetry and shelving. It also uses the standard 3/4 inch size slots so you can add precision accessories and rails for jigs. Jigs are your friend and you will find they make many projects much easier. You want to be precise when making jigs, which is something you'll likely enjoy.

I don't know what tools or experience you have with woodworking, but one thing you can count on is asking questions here. Sometimes you'll learn there are several ways of doing things.

I've attached two pdfs. On one making your own table top and the other is a long compeneium covering the 18+ things that really accelerated my learning curve. It may save you some money. For example, I bought a really good sliding miter saw, but really only needed a simple chop saw to cut long pieces to length. But there are many other ways to do that and I wish I'd not spent the money on that. I do use it to make the first angled cut for picture frames, but I could do that on the table saw with an accurate miter gauge, like the Incra miter gauge.

I suggest you start with making cabinets for your tools. Good projects to get your feet wet. and you'll use them forever.
--

Tom - Wow, I‘m very grateful for that particular advice and the supportive quality of knowledge you’ve shared. I definitely am looking forward to building my own router table specifically and SOON, as well asalong a DYI Table saw (But that will come later). I have a VERY simple circular saw sled by KREG TOOLS, but it’s a temporary, ‘small wood only’ kind of cross cut item and is not producing accurate true 90 degree cuts. I’m really looking forward to taking a look at those two PDF’s you’ve sent me! Thank you VERY much And hopefully chat soon as I will share my progress down the line.

Good Day to you Sir!

Joe
(personal contact info removed by mod)

 

Welcome to the forum, Joe.

I have a home made router table about that size I use with a cordless trim router.

But, as Tom mentioned, you may need to go larger as you gain more experience.

 

Welcome to the forum @JOE-WOOD