| Project by Muzhik | posted 1417 days ago | 6369 views | 39 times favorited | 15 comments | ![]() |
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I haven’t posted a project in quite some time. I’ve now moved back to the ‘states from Germany and I’m happy to be reunited with all of my big shop tools that have been in storage for 3 years. Yesterday I used my shop-built router table and slot mortising jig for the first time in ages. I didn’t realize how much I had missed it. Would have really come in handy when I was building that bed in Germany.
Anyhow, I thought I’d post it b/c I know the LJ crew always appreciates shop-made tooling solutions. I found the plans for the router table in Popular Woodworking, if memory serves. The plans included a horizontal routing attachment. When I built it, I had no idea if I’d ever USE a horizontal routing attachment, but decided to make the provisions for it anyway.
Months later, I saw plans for a slot mortising jig in an issue of Fine Woodworking. The plans call for mounting the router in an aluminum plate with L-channel attached, if memory serves. I can’t remember if it was height adjustable somehow or not.
I decided to combine the two and came up with a setup that truly is better than the sum of its parts. I always thought I’d need one of the JDS Multi-Routers that David Marks used in his TV shows all the time. It would still be nice to have one, but I believe this to be the next best thing.
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15 comments so far
arw01
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55 posts in 1811 days
#1 posted 1417 days ago
Great looking setup. How tight are the slides and such? Did you find you needed to put some hefty springs in to lock down “tables” to keep them from having any wiggle room?
Could you post more photos?
-- No good deed goes unpunished!
CharlieM1958
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14933 posts in 2415 days
#2 posted 1417 days ago
Man, that’s quite a contraption, but brilliant!
-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"
Muzhik
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156 posts in 2335 days
#3 posted 1416 days ago
@arw01
It’s been a few years since I built it, but it seems like I snuck up on the fit of the dados on the tracks so that they slide with no play. I have to periodically wax the tracks so keep things running smoothly. There are no springs anywhere in the setup. The heft of MDF helps hold everything down pretty well. I can take some more pictures and measurements of whatever you like next time I set it up for use. Anything specific you’re looking for?
@CharlieM1958
Of course I can’t take credit for the design. All I did was marry two good designs together :)
kerflesss
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182 posts in 1565 days
#4 posted 1416 days ago
Nice tool. Albet it was fun to make. Nothing like making a tool and reaping the rewards down the road.
Thanks for sharing.
SPalm
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4174 posts in 2079 days
#5 posted 1416 days ago
Sweet. I have always wanted one of these.
I wanted linear bearings on it to “keep things running smoothly” but that complicates things and jacks up the price so I never built it. Maybe I should take your lead and just do it.
Thanks for the inspiriation,
Steve
-- -- I'm no rocket surgeon
BarryW
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1013 posts in 2103 days
#6 posted 1416 days ago
That’s a great idea for a mortiser…and looks very easy to build and adjust.
Here’s another slot mortiser from a website I sneak to every now and again…this guy creates all kinds of interesting wooden gadgets…
http://woodgears.ca/slot_mortiser/index.html
-- /\/\/\ BarryW /\/\/\ Stay so busy you don't have time to die.
jockmike2
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10635 posts in 2444 days
#7 posted 1416 days ago
Nice jig.
-- (You just have to please the man in the Mirror) Mike from Michigan -
Innovator
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3584 posts in 1610 days
#8 posted 1416 days ago
Good use of taking a router table and having multiple uses for it.
-- Whether You Think You Can or You Think You Can't, YOU ARE RIGHT!!!
a1Jim
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89102 posts in 1774 days
#9 posted 1416 days ago
welcome home great Jig. your right multi routers work great.
-- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/
mcoyfrog
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2003 posts in 1791 days
#10 posted 1415 days ago
INteresting I might have to try that
-- Wood and Glass they kick (well you know) Have a great day - Dug
Muzhik
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156 posts in 2335 days
#11 posted 1415 days ago
More pictures:
!http://presson.smugmug.com/photos/610282241_cPabx-L.jpg
Kindlingmaker
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2650 posts in 1723 days
#12 posted 1408 days ago
A beautiful set up you made! Great idea!
-- Never board, always knotty, lots of growth rings
Muzhik
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156 posts in 2335 days
#13 posted 1406 days ago
Thanks. Adding a few more pictures for anyone interested in tackling their own.
P.S. don’t make fun of my krappy Ryobi router that I have mounted in there. I think it was the first power tool I ever bought. Still going strong (though I like my DeWalt plunge router alot more!)
Beginningwoodworker
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13238 posts in 1870 days
#14 posted 1399 days ago
Cool set up!
-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker
woodman1962
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150 posts in 885 days
#15 posted 868 days ago
I found one of those ryobi routers at the local ggodwill store.hardly used with the case and all attachments and they had it marked for 10 dollars.i still have not used it a lot but seems to work real nice.Now i need to build a nice table for it.thanks for the pictures
-- jjhollyawc@yahoo.com
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