[Stefang]

Since many have already posted their router tables here I thought I should too, if for no other reason than to show you that I actually have one. Mine is just another Bill Hylton clone that I built a few years ago. I used Hylton's design but built it my way (the cheap way).

I used some fir framing material and some 3/4" hardboard I had from a remodel project. It is all frame and panel, mortise and tenon construction. I remember there were 54 mortises and tenons, all hand cut. I figured I needed the practice. The drawers are made with all hand cut dovetail joints (more practice). It's mounted on wheels. In fact just about every thing in my relatively small (220 sq. ft.) shop is . I use the router table as an out-feed table for my table-saw.

The height adjustment knob pictured is a prototype. I intend to make a nice permanent one out of Oak. I wanted to try this one first just to see how it would work. As you can see, the shaft is quite long, and while it works quite well, I have to figure out how to keep the shaft centered better when I'm cranking it. For now I am steadying it with my hand, but I want a better solution. It was easy to make. I just cut the handle pattern through a board on my scroll saw and glued another board with the handle on top. I can put it on and take it off real easy.

There are many finer and smarter tables pictured on this thread, but I am very pleased with mine/Bill's (ignorance is bliss). I especially like the white Oak fence which is also Bill Hylton's design. The clamps on it are really great and it is a pleasure to use.

 

[Cochese]

Very nice, Mike.

Notice any issues with movement on the wheels? I need to make mine mobile (read: 4x4), so I'm very interested in what you have to say.

 

[Stefang]

Hi Chris,

I have locks on the wheels, but unwanted movement really isn't a problem. I have been doing a lot of heavy cuts with my lock miter bit recently and even though I cut the joint in one go I haven't had any problems. To be honest I don't even bother locking the wheels anymore when I'm using it.

 

[timbertailor]

I hope my table turns out half as nice as your Mike.

Nice job!

 

[ryanlamprecht]

Holy Moley! Someone has a lot of free time on their hands. You should find a hobby. Those are incredible tables. If I were your son, I would be asking Dad for one of his. By the way, I'm up for adoption.

 

[Stefang]

I posted my main router table yesterday but forgot to include a couple of others I have. The first one is yet another Bill Hylton designed horizonal router table. I haven't used it as much as I should because my old router was more difficult to demount from my main table. This won't be a problem any longer with the quick action attachments I got from with my Trend router.

Pictured below is yet another router table. It's not a very interesting table, but it has a story to go with it.

I saw box posted on a scroll saw forum around last Christmas by a lady from Australia. It had some amazing scroll work on it, but the box construction was pretty poor and ruined the whole effect.

I wrote her a private message saying it wouldn't too difficult to make a box which would better showcase her outstanding skills and that I would be willing to help her out with it. She was positive to the idea so I started up a tutorial with text and pictures via email.

The idea was to show her how to construct a box using box joints cut on her scroll saw. Her main tool kit is a router, a scroll saw and a band saw. I thought to use the scroll saw because she is most familiar with that and the instructions would be simpler to write and follow. It all went great, but when we got the part where grooves have to be made for the bottom and maybe the top, we would have to use the router, but we agreed that a router table would be best for her.

She said she didn't want to spend much money, so I had to figure out a table made from scraps that was very small and could easily be clamped to a table or bench. I won't bore you with all the details except to say that I built one so I could send her pictures on how to do it. The criteria for the table was Bare bones, very cheap, simple and safe. The funny thing is that after the work was done and the photos and text sent to her she replied a little sheepishly that she got a great bargain on a table at a home center, and did I mind? Well, of course I didn't and I had some fun making this little table. Since then she had made a very beautiful box with box joints and posted it on another forum and she is justifiably proud of it.

The pictures show some project details. No impressive craftsmanship here. Made it in a couple of hours not including glue time. The whole thing is based on those two frames you see pictured.

The first pic shows the finished base. Note the protruding bottom which serves as clamping ears. The last one shows a test rout after completion.

 

[harrysin]

A neat and unusual table Mike, perhaps next time you use it you'll remember to take a few shots of it in use.
I notice in the background one of those "Magilamps", the ones with a fluorescent tube around the magnifying glass, the exact thing that only yesterday I described as "eye killers" caused by the flicker so close to one's eyes.

 

[bobj3]

Thanks for the pictures Mike

I almost forgot about the 1st.Horz.router table I made like yours,I also use the plan from the Hyltons book to make my copy.

My son one day said I need a router table, I pulled it off the back side of the sewing machine cabinet router table and mounted to a cabinet and he took it home for his standard router table I think he is still using it.

=====

I posted my main router table yesterday but forgot to include a couple of others I have. The first one is yet another Bill Hylton designed horizonal router table. I haven't used it as much as I should because my old router was more difficult to demount from my main table. This won't be a problem any longer with the quick action attachments I got from with my Trend router.

Pictured below is yet another router table. It's not a very interesting table, but it has a story to go with it.

I saw box posted on a scroll saw forum around last Christmas by a lady from Australia. It had some amazing scroll work on it, but the box construction was pretty poor and ruined the whole effect.

I wrote her a private message saying it wouldn't too difficult to make a box which would better showcase her outstanding skills and that I would be willing to help her out with it. She was positive to the idea so I started up a tutorial with text and pictures via email.

The idea was to show her how to construct a box using box joints cut on her scroll saw. Her main tool kit is a router, a scroll saw and a band saw. I thought to use the scroll saw because she is most familiar with that and the instructions would be simpler to write and follow. It all went great, but when we got the part where grooves have to be made for the bottom and maybe the top, we would have to use the router, but we agreed that a router table would be best for her.

She said she didn't want to spend much money, so I had to figure out a table made from scraps that was very small and could easily be clamped to a table or bench. I won't bore you with all the details except to say that I built one so I could send her pictures on how to do it. The criteria for the table was Bare bones, very cheap, simple and safe. The funny thing is that after the work was done and the photos and text sent to her she replied a little sheepishly that she got a great bargain on a table at a home center, and did I mind? Well, of course I didn't and I had some fun making this little table. Since then she had made a very beautiful box with box joints and posted it on another forum and she is justifiably proud of it.

The pictures show some project details. No impressive craftsmanship here. Made it in a couple of hours not including glue time. The whole thing is based on those two frames you see pictured.

The first pic shows the finished base. Note the protruding bottom which serves as clamping ears. The last one shows a test rout after completion.

 

[timbertailor]

Necessity.

The Mother of invention!!!!!!

 

[Stefang]

Hi Harry and BJ,
Harry
I am surprised to learn that those type lamps are bad for the eyes. I have a very well lighted workshop with florescent ceiling lamps everywhere, but I use the little "magilamp" as it has a large magnifying glass mounted in the center. I only use it when doing very fine work. The really small blades can "disappear" during a long session so that magnifier really helps. I must admit though that incandescent light is a lot more pleasant to work with and probably a lot easier on the eyes. I have already used that little table a bit. I have a small router in it. I thought to maybe introduce my grandson to routing with it. I'll try to take some pics while we finish up his box project that we're doing together. It will be awhile though. My wife had knee replacement surgery just a week ago, so I can't get into the shop much right now. I'm the chief cook and bottle washer. My router skills aren't getting any better, but I'm getting pretty good at housekeeping! Right now I'm doing all my woodworking with you folks on the computer between "assignments". I will try to post a picture of it and my experience with it when I get a chance.

BJ
I really like that little horizontal table. It cuts tenons and mortises very well and is very useful for everyday routing too. The problem is that my shop is so crowded with machines, benches and tools that I have to store it on the floor under a bench and it is a little heavy to lift around. I'm sure your son must be getting a lot of use out of his. I'm not sure I will really need it any longer. I've made a nice high auxiliary fence (7") with a sliding fence for my big table, which I hope can be used for tenons. I made the fence from a tip on FWW's website. It was made to do lock miter end-grain joints, but I think it will also be great for routing tenons.

 

[bobj3]

Hi Mike

" The problem is that my shop is so crowded with machines "

Me Too, that's why I made the one below , you can run out of room in the home shop real quick..
http://www.routerforums.com/project-plans-how/9782-best-both-worlds.html

============

 

[rbcpastor]

Harry, I am planning an add on to my Table saw. noticed you had an upgraded fence on yours. What fence is that on your saw?

 

[aivenyy]

That's great!

 

[MuzzleMike]

There are allot of great tables and all of you should brag . They are nice . The only thing I can brag about is mine was free to make . It was made it if an old portable table saw and some left over counter top some one was throwing out . The only thing I paid for was the router and the power strip that I put on it . It works for me .

 

[timbertailor]

There are allot of great tables and all of you should brag . They are nice . The only thing I can brag about is mine was free to make . It was made it if an old portable table saw and some left over counter top some one was throwing out . The only thing I paid for was the router and the power strip that I put on it . It works for me .

Your table looks a lot nicer than the one I used for many years. Its a nice size and the countertop should provide a very smooth surface to work on.
I like the fence height too!

 

[TwoSkies57]

Mike...

as long as it works for you brother, its all good!!!!!

where at in w Pa?

 

[MuzzleMike]

Mike...

as long as it works for you brother, its all good!!!!!

where at in w Pa?

I still have to get some T track for it but it still dose the job . I live in Sharon . That is about half way between Pitt. and Erie and right on the Ohio line .


Mike

 

[Cochese]

Guess I should post mine before I make my new one.

 

[Old_Chipper]

Jim, I have the Jet fence and sliding table, love them both. I thought the price was fair! Only thing I would change, would be getting the micro adjustment.
Harry

 

[mercantile man]

Harry this is a phenominal table. My shop will be so happy with me when I built it one.