| Project by Muzhik | posted 112 days ago | 1576 views | 17 times favorited | 14 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.
14 comments so far
arw01
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53 posts in 507 days
posted 112 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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7608 posts in 1111 days
posted 112 days ago
Man, that’s quite a contraption, but brilliant!
-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"
Muzhik
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128 posts in 1031 days
posted 112 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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131 posts in 261 days
posted 112 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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945 posts in 775 days
posted 112 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
-- Stevethepeeve -- I'm no rocket surgeon
BarryW
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872 posts in 799 days
posted 112 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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7299 posts in 1139 days
posted 112 days ago
Nice jig.
-- Mike. mwurm13@yahoo.com
Innovator
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3125 posts in 306 days
posted 112 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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16683 posts in 470 days
posted 112 days ago
welcome home great Jig. your right multi routers work great.
-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon
mcoyfrog
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809 posts in 487 days
posted 111 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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128 posts in 1031 days
posted 111 days ago
More pictures:
!http://presson.smugmug.com/photos/610282241_cPabx-L.jpg
Kindlingmaker
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1470 posts in 419 days
posted 104 days ago
A beautiful set up you made! Great idea!
-- Never board, always knotty, lots of growth rings
Muzhik
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128 posts in 1031 days
posted 102 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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4123 posts in 566 days
posted 95 days ago
Cool set up!
-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker