LumberJocks Woodworking Forum banner

Project Information

A while back I decided it was time for a new router table. I tore down the table I had and made a router lift. The plan was to make the table right after. Around 8 months passed and the table never happened. There just isn't enough time in the day. I really wanted to make my own from scratch but reality sunk in and I realized it wasn't going to happen. I ended up going to Lowe's and getting a workshop base cabinet. It was almost the exact size I wanted and already had a laminate top. It was already sturdy but I reinforced it with glue and pocket screws and beefed up the back that would hold the lift. The shelf inside was made to be adjustable but I screwed it in place so it acts as structure.

I used my CNC router to cut the hole and pocket in the top. Then I made several matching inserts out of Corian, also on the CNC. The hole in the top is big enough so I can raise the router through the top to swap out the bits. The inserts are snug and sit on 4 leveling screws that I can adjust from the bottom so they sit flush with the top.

I'm still using the old fence from my old router table but I'll probably end up making a new one at some point. This one will do for now. It slides in slots cut into the top and is secured with knobs I make with padauk and T nuts. I don't have a proper dust collector but the small vacuum (3rd picture) I'm using now works surprisingly well and fits in the cabinet. The switch on the left side turns on the vacuum and router.

I'm currently working on motorizing it so I can raise and lower the router with a switch. I currently use a T-wrench that I stick through a hole in the top (4th picture). I'll still be able to use the wrench but it would be interesting to motorize it too.

I put together a short compilation of the CNC cutting out the parts:


Thanks for looking!

Gallery

Comments

· Registered
Joined
·
333 Posts
Super clean and Nice looking table but I would be concerned about router not being secured to the table top,
the pressure of feeding boards into a spinning bit…... ?
 

· Registered
Joined
·
596 Posts
Hey, thanks! The top and lift are very rigid. I've used it and it seems fine.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
2,242 Posts
Wonderful job
 

· Registered
Joined
·
0 Posts
Nice table, do you have the plans for the router lift ??
 
Top