[the_nite_owl]

Mine is a "work in progress."

It ain't gonn'a be pretty but I hope it will be functional. I just put a phenolic plate into the top of an existing workbench. I have routed a track along the edge of the bench for featherboards. Tracks for a fence are next.

Pics at Photography of Terry Danks-Woodworking

The tracks I am using are ones from Busy Bee: Busy Bee Tools Product Detail

Uses standard 1/4" - 20 hex bolts
3/4" x 3/8" requires 3/4" material for flush mount

Does anyone know if there are miter gauges made to fit small tracks like these? I would like to make a sled for doing cabinet rails but am unsure if I should be using tracks like these. They seem smaller than "standard" table saw tracks.

I am not aware of amy miter gauges that fit a t-track slot but you may be able to adapt one by replacing the bar that rides in the mitre slot.
I used a combination miter slot/t-track on my table so it has both in the table as an integrated piece. Rather than top down screw mounting it mounts to the table with 1/4 - 20 hex bolts from the underside of the table. Looks good and no screw heads to get in the way.

 

[dawziecat]

I used a combination miter slot/t-track on my table so it has both in the table as an integrated piece.

Thanks, Trent. The combo track seems a great idea. It's going on my list of things to order when I get to FL later this winter. In the meantime, guess I'm stuck with the T track as I can't find the combo at any CDN suppliers.

 

[the_nite_owl]

Thanks, Trent. The combo track seems a great idea. It's going on my list of things to order when I get to FL later this winter. In the meantime, guess I'm stuck with the T track as I can't find the combo at any CDN suppliers.

Some say it is unnecessary or that a miter slot alone would suffice but I am a newbie and not entirely certain what my needs will be in the future so I modeled my table features after the router table where I took a few woodworking classes and it had the dual track in the table. I figure this way I have a lot more flexibility in accessories.

Look a few posts back in this thread and there are a couple pictures of the table I built. I am very pleased with it as my first major project though I did make a number of mistakes. Those mistakes were a great learning experience though including the one where I put a small hole in my newly drywalled shop wall when I tried to widen a dado on the wrong side of the blade and instead shot it off the table. :happy:

 

[dawziecat]

What do you plan to use for a fence?

I have a specific goal in mind (cabinet doors) and am just trying to "get there" ASAP. Hang the ascetics! No wusy laminate , nor fancy sacrificial fence and no dust control either (although I am considering that . . . SHEESH, these things kick up a mess, don't they?:cray
I'm already sick of working ON the table and want to get working WITH the table.
I have a fence roughed out for using vertical panel raising bits . . . of course I don't actually have the bit yet . But next trip to town . . .

I used this link American Woodworker - Google Books as a guide . . . but skipped the prissy laminate and the uber-feminine hardwood strip along the top. I figure "real routers" don't flinch at a few splinters.

 

[oliverc612]

Well I am late to this thread, but thought that I would post a few pictures of my current RT. It was made about 5-6 years ago and has been modified a few times since birth. I plan on using ideas gathered from RouterForums to make a new one sometime in the near future. Thanks for all of the good ideas folks!

The RT has 2 1/5" vacuum hose connections from the fence and below next to the router. This setup picks up maybe 75% of the dust and chips and needs to be enclosed to be more efficient.

Anyway, it works for now.

 

[dawziecat]

Oliver, did you make your own plate out of hardboard? I see a horizonal panel raising bit in the drawer. These need 3hp plus machines to drive so you must have a pretty beefy router in there(can't tell from the pic).
I considered using masonite to make a plate but thought, after countersinking the mounting screws, there would not be enough left of the temprered surface to safely support the 13lb 3 1/4 hp router.

 

[edhills]

I am bleeding with jealousy... I have a boughten Ryobi router table and just got 2 new routers for Christmas. I haven't even plugged them in yet to test them. I'm going to get some wood next week and just try the bits and get used to them and how the table handles. I want to make my own RT but I might buy the Router Workshop setup. I've been watching the program a long time and think that may be the way to go. Am I the only one in Olympia that wants to use a router? Kewl tables guys...

 

[oliverc612]

Hi Terry, The top of the RT is made from one layer of 3/4" MDF with bracing underneath. The edge of the table is built up with another layer of MDF to make the edge 1 1/2" thick. The plate is made of 3/8" MDF - but is the source of problems with sag (as you may guess). It was OK with a smaller router, but as I have moved up in HP (and weight) the sag has become a problem. Repeatability is becoming an issue.
I am contemplating which plate to move to and am thinking that I will also build a new table top that is a little bit bigger as well.
Any suggestions as to which plate and ring set you think is best? And why?
Thanks,

 

[oliverc612]

Oh- Terry, the router in the picture is a Porter-Cable 89x - 2 1/14 HP. I have run a PC 7519 in the table, but cannot use it for large bits (single speed).

 

[jschaben]

I am bleeding with jealousy... I have a boughten Ryobi router table and just got 2 new routers for Christmas. I haven't even plugged them in yet to test them. I'm going to get some wood next week and just try the bits and get used to them and how the table handles. I want to make my own RT but I might buy the Router Workshop setup. I've been watching the program a long time and think that may be the way to go. Am I the only one in Olympia that wants to use a router? Kewl tables guys...

Hi Ed, I don't know which Ryobi table you bought but Duane867 did a superb job with his.
http://www.routerforums.com/table-mounted-routing/17895-king-router-ryobi-table.html

You will need to scroll down a few posts but he has a picture of it.

 

[CanuckGal]

Ed you won't be disappointed with the Router Workshop Table. I think these guys have done an amazing job building some of these tables, some of them rival fine furniture. But I wouldn't trade the RW table. It's simplicity and capabilities suit me just fine.

 

[RLFX]

Here is my own "General International" inspiried set up

That is by far the nicest looking table I have seen, I love the painted look ans looks so neat .. I do custom wood work and I just love that machine of yours !!

 

[valkyre00]

Anyone considered using the kitchen cabinet base cabinets like they sell at Lowe's or Menards as the base cabinet for their R/T. They are somewhat inexpensive and appear as though they would make a great base cabinet.

 

[jschaben]

Anyone considered using the kitchen cabinet base cabinets like they sell at Lowe's or Menards as the base cabinet for their R/T. They are somewhat inexpensive and appear as though they would make a great base cabinet.

Hi Marvin - Welcome to the forum.
This is kind of a interesting topic by itself. Why don't you start a new thread for it? This one is getting kinda long.
For me they would be size prohibitive. Usually 5ft or so and I haven't got room. 2-3 ft is all you really need.

 

[AxlMyk]

Anyone considered using the kitchen cabinet base cabinets like they sell at Lowe's or Menards as the base cabinet for their R/T. They are somewhat inexpensive and appear as though they would make a great base cabinet.

Yes, people have done that with very good results. You could also find them at a Habitat for Humanity store.

 

[AUFAITHFUL]

Here is my own "General International" inspiried set up

Collin, Where did you buy your fence. Is it pieced together or is it a package deal?

 

[dawziecat]

Well, it's done . . . and seems fine.

About a month ago, I had virtually nothing in the way of a router other than a 35 year old Craftsman I had never used (successfully, anyhow) for anything other than mortising hinges. Everything else was just a disaster and I wondered how in heck people managed to use these things?

Table is now complete and I have already turned out a pair of beadboard inset panel doors for my wife's bedroom furniture project using a rail and stile bit set.

Very happy so far. Thanks to forum members for suggestions, advice and the encouragment to build my own rather than buy a cheap commercial one. This is a great source of information.
Picture of the table, inset into my old workbench is attached. The monstrously high fence is to allow for use of a vertical panel raising bit.

 

[bobj3]

I guess I should add some snapshots of the router tables in the shop ..

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[Bob N]

I guess I should add some snapshots of the router tables in the shop ..

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O-M-G!

I just drooled all over my keyboard

 

[bobj3]

Hi Bob

I should clean the shop up like yours but I'm always making a mess

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O-M-G!

I just drooled all over my keyboard