Judging by the recent projects with HRTs, I think this is the season of Horizontal Router Tables. Here is another one that I built a few weeks ago. The ideas came from Jigs & fixtures for the table saw & router / from the editors of Woodworker’s Journal and Yeung Chang’s Classic Joints with Power Tools.

It is constructed from 3/4” MDF. In hindsight, it would have been better to construct it with melamine backed board rather than MDF. I simplified the construction by choosing not to build a router sled. The vertical board to which the router base is fixed is pivoted at one corner with a heavy duty hinge I got from Rockler. At the other end, the grove swings around a 1/4” bolt.

I also built an X-Y table which rides in the groves. I ripped some HDPE strips for runners. The XY tables have T-nuts in them to which I can bolt fences. I waxed all sliding surfaces.

With easy access to the router and excellent visibility, this lets me do a lot of router operations with safety and convenience. I get very good accuracy and control. The cost to build it was minimal and taught me some more valuable skills.

One thing I miss sorely is a mechanism to adjust the bit position. I plan to add a screw to make micro adjustments to the bit position.

Another thing I worry about is with the stability of MDF in the presence of moisture. I am hoping all that waxing will help keep the moisture out . I will probably protect the edges with hardwood. (I am also wondering if I can coat the whole thing with thin epoxy of some kind, any thoughts?)

Thanks

Here it is, my very first woodworking project. I made this box as a Christmas present for my wife. Compared to other projects which I see here, this is a pretty simple one. But for me, it is a milestone of sorts. This little box stands for everything from my committing to a serious hobby, buying sharp and dangerous tools :), building jigs and most importantly learning to work safely. There have been many here who have answered my questions and helped with great hints. Thanks everyone!

A bit about the box construction. It is about 6 inches wide, 3 inches high and 2 inches deep. The box top and bottom are Brazillian Cherry and the body is oak. All the bevels were made by a block plane with the aid of shooting board. Finished with Waterlox original finish.

I made a few mistakes in assembling it. I used masking tape in gluing it up and I wish I had tightened the corners a bit more. As it is now, I can see a thin line of dried glue.

Now for the good news. Wife likes it! Next project is to build a computer desk for my daughter. I have been given three months to get it done :)