Router table made from magazine plan
My home made router table came from a 1985 Woodsmith magazine article which a friend bought for a $1.95. It was titled: "Woodworking Plan Booklet 12" and was very detailed with plans, drawings and a nice step by step article written by the author and builder of this table.
I came to appreciate that when using a router, you need all the table space you can get. This author knew that too. On the first page he wrote several characteristics of the plans. "The extra large work surface makes it easy to work with any size of workpiece". and "Designed to accept any size or brand of router".
I also came to appreciate that a dead straight fence and a incremental jig to move that fence was paramount to precision routering. As a result I found that an aluminum level was as true a piece of fence material as I was likely to find inexpensively. I bought the Incra Jig as well and it proved invaluable in moving the fence/level in 32nds of an inch, if need be.
The table was 3/4 inch plywood for a non-flexing surface, topped by a layer of masonite pegboard (solid, no holes). This provided a slick and really flat surface that would keep my piece dimensionally true while sliding it through the router bit.
The rest of the router table was constructed of 2x4's , 3/4 inch plywood and a stable base so the table would be as solid as possible for precision work. Granite would be ideal, of course, but this job was done on the cheap!
I used this router table for a long time and made several fine furniture pieces on it. Eventually, when fine woodworking led to too much sawdust in the basement, I left the hobby and eventually sold the entire table, router and Incra Jig for $125 on Craigslist to a great guy and accomplished woodworker. He sent me photos of my table in his workshop, which I was more than happy to see. My table went to a good home, priceless! |
