Design ideas, need some feedback
OK, so yeah - another blog about a router table, but since I'm going to make one , might as well document it while I go, maybe someone can benefit from this.
I've had a Rockler router table top + plate + fence which I got when I bought my router (Bosch 2 1/4hp). It had the misfurtune of being on the floor when my basement was flooded a couple of years ago, so that top was ruined. I since have been planning to replace it with a shop-built version, and make a full enclosed cabinet for it at the same time… it's been a while… I have finally started putting the thought into ink (so to speak).
for the longest time (seriously) I have been keeping my eye open for material for the top that will be:
1. Flat
2. Weather resistant (mostly to water/moisture)
3. Smooth
4. Thick
5. Inexpensive
5 things, that when combined together don't really go together hand in hand with what's on the market. so I waited for a long time till last week I had my hands on a 1 3/8" Canvas Phenolic board 35"x36" - perfect size, perfect width, smooth, flat, and workable. AND, can handle the weather better than wood/MDF/Fiberboard would.
This thing though is crazy heavy, I can hardly lift it myself.
So I started designing how I'd cut the top and make use of it for an Incra Fence. I will eventually like to get an LS positioner (17") but at the moment I just dont have any more funds to contribute to any of that, so I have to settle for a garage-sale found Original Incra Jig that I found for $20.
THOUGHT #1 (Feedback most welcome):
As much as I'd like to incorporate a router lift into this table, I just cannot spend any more money right now, and getting a $300 lift and plate is out of the question. I thought about getting a similar size plate for ~$40 and use that as a 'temporary' place holder until I can afford a lift, but I could also just mount my fixed base of the router (that would otherwise be mounted to the plate) directly to the table top, and route a small 4"x4" hole for a shop-made insert that I can close in around the bits:
I've seen other's have similar setup. my only concern is how easy access to the router would be. any takes on this? would you prefer to have a removeable plate? would you rather have the router mounted directly to the table top?
THOUGHT #2 (Feedback most welcome):
The other things I'm contemplating is how extreme I should go with supporting that top. my initial design is a torsion-box structure under the plate that will support the top throughout the plane, and will help avoid low/high spots in the long run (also will hide the electrical switch and cables in it):
Am I going overboard here? is this too much? I guess in this respect, I'd rather go overboard today, then wish I had added that extra support further down the line. should I enclose the torsion structure from underneath, or just leave it 'open' as it?
Thanks in Advance for all responses, and comments. I'm really excited about finally getting this project going, and can't wait to actually have a router table again to use.
OK, so yeah - another blog about a router table, but since I'm going to make one , might as well document it while I go, maybe someone can benefit from this.
I've had a Rockler router table top + plate + fence which I got when I bought my router (Bosch 2 1/4hp). It had the misfurtune of being on the floor when my basement was flooded a couple of years ago, so that top was ruined. I since have been planning to replace it with a shop-built version, and make a full enclosed cabinet for it at the same time… it's been a while… I have finally started putting the thought into ink (so to speak).
for the longest time (seriously) I have been keeping my eye open for material for the top that will be:
1. Flat
2. Weather resistant (mostly to water/moisture)
3. Smooth
4. Thick
5. Inexpensive
5 things, that when combined together don't really go together hand in hand with what's on the market. so I waited for a long time till last week I had my hands on a 1 3/8" Canvas Phenolic board 35"x36" - perfect size, perfect width, smooth, flat, and workable. AND, can handle the weather better than wood/MDF/Fiberboard would.
This thing though is crazy heavy, I can hardly lift it myself.
So I started designing how I'd cut the top and make use of it for an Incra Fence. I will eventually like to get an LS positioner (17") but at the moment I just dont have any more funds to contribute to any of that, so I have to settle for a garage-sale found Original Incra Jig that I found for $20.
THOUGHT #1 (Feedback most welcome):
As much as I'd like to incorporate a router lift into this table, I just cannot spend any more money right now, and getting a $300 lift and plate is out of the question. I thought about getting a similar size plate for ~$40 and use that as a 'temporary' place holder until I can afford a lift, but I could also just mount my fixed base of the router (that would otherwise be mounted to the plate) directly to the table top, and route a small 4"x4" hole for a shop-made insert that I can close in around the bits:
I've seen other's have similar setup. my only concern is how easy access to the router would be. any takes on this? would you prefer to have a removeable plate? would you rather have the router mounted directly to the table top?
THOUGHT #2 (Feedback most welcome):
The other things I'm contemplating is how extreme I should go with supporting that top. my initial design is a torsion-box structure under the plate that will support the top throughout the plane, and will help avoid low/high spots in the long run (also will hide the electrical switch and cables in it):
Am I going overboard here? is this too much? I guess in this respect, I'd rather go overboard today, then wish I had added that extra support further down the line. should I enclose the torsion structure from underneath, or just leave it 'open' as it?
Thanks in Advance for all responses, and comments. I'm really excited about finally getting this project going, and can't wait to actually have a router table again to use.