Homemade Router Table -Miter Slot Options

I do not have any experince with the titer miter, but this is what I have been looking at for my table from Bench Dog, just waiting on a free shipping deal from Rockler ;)

-- //FC - Round Rock, TX - "Experience is what you get just after you need it"

Lev,
Personally, I wouldn’t go for a T- or Mitre-track attached to the edge of the work top. It wouldn’t take much effort to work the track loose – a few small bumps on the track, and screws could pull out.

Also, think of all the attachments you wish to use in the track, and make sure that the one with the shortest reach can span the distance between the track and the bit.

On my first router table top, I found that my feather boards couldn’t hold a slim work piece against the fence, and had to reposition the track closer to the bit. I won’t make that mistake on my next table (which will have a phenolic top).

-- I may be schizophrenic, but at least I have each other.

I’d second that opinion. My first and current RT has that exact drawback…too far from the cutter to be easily effective. As I have an Incra fence, most of my fixtures are designed to ride the fence, so no big deal, but if I re-made it I would use both a closer slot and phenolic ply vs. high pressure laminate over particle board.

-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.

Hi Lev;

I would think, as you mention, routing a panel would be more difficult with the track at the edge. (less support).

On the top I made, I routed a 3/4” into a 3” wide piece of teak, which was then routed into the table top.

My initial slot into the table itself was a bit sloppy, hence the added piece of teak. It turned out to be a good thing though, as the teak is naturally oily, providing permanent lubrication, and was unaffected by seasonal changes.

I like a large area in front of the bit, so I probably wouldn’t choose the Titer Miter track.

I would definitely make a similar fence / dust collection setup as used on router table. It is VERY effective at keeping the air clean, and provides all the benefits of a shaper fence.

http://lumberjocks.com/jocks/LeeJ/blog/5117

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

thanks for strengthening my perception that the miter slot at the edge of the table might prove to be problematic in the long run… I guess the price was just ‘too good’ to pass… but I’ll hold myself back, and stay away from that purchase.

I think for the time being I’m not going to have any miter slot in the table, as the fence is going to be an Incra fence, and most likely everything will be riding that fence… should I need a miter slot in the future, I can always add that later on (top route, not too big of a deal)

Lee- that is an awesome fence, and If I didnt have the IncraJig as the fence, I’d definitely go your route. I like how Freud adds all those free plans with their products -I got a plan for wall mounted router bit cabinet when I got their router-bit set a couple years ago, good quality plan too. Any chance you have that plan scanned? of PDFed?

-- When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.