Don Morris
04-05-2009, 7:49 PM
I built my previous router extension table out of 2 pieces of 3/4" MDF glued before I bought my Grizzly 1023SL TS. When I bought the TS I splurged and got Grizzly's 27" X 44" extension table but reinforced it with 3/4" MDF figuring that would do the trick. I wasn't real happy with the surface material but it worked. I have a Bench Dog Pro Lift and a Bench Dog Pro Fence. Yesterday, after a couple years, I noticed almost a 3/16" sag in the middle of the extension table when I made a run on a long piece of custom casing, because the middle result didn't look like the ends.
OK, new router table in order. Seems like many people are going to 3/4" phenolic material as a router table top material, and/or cast metal for the pros. I'm just a serious amateur so I've been looking for a source of 3/4" to 1" phenolic router table tops that are used as TS extensions. I don't seem to find any. The phenolic tops seem to be used mainly as stand alone tops. Also, many come already with cutouts for the 9 1/4" X 11 3/4" templates many other lifts use. The Pro Lift takes a 8 1/4" X 11 3/4" cutout.
My biggest question is: even if I find a 27" X whatever long phenolic router top with or without a cutout that will fit my Pro Lift, how would you secure the 3/4" phenolic side to a 27" TS? My Grizzly has it's machine screw holes 1" down from the top. I really liked having an extension table vs. stand alone table in my small shop.
Thanks for any input and ideas.
Don M
OK, new router table in order. Seems like many people are going to 3/4" phenolic material as a router table top material, and/or cast metal for the pros. I'm just a serious amateur so I've been looking for a source of 3/4" to 1" phenolic router table tops that are used as TS extensions. I don't seem to find any. The phenolic tops seem to be used mainly as stand alone tops. Also, many come already with cutouts for the 9 1/4" X 11 3/4" templates many other lifts use. The Pro Lift takes a 8 1/4" X 11 3/4" cutout.
My biggest question is: even if I find a 27" X whatever long phenolic router top with or without a cutout that will fit my Pro Lift, how would you secure the 3/4" phenolic side to a 27" TS? My Grizzly has it's machine screw holes 1" down from the top. I really liked having an extension table vs. stand alone table in my small shop.
Thanks for any input and ideas.
Don M