Julie Moriarty
05-26-2013, 5:12 PM
Pretty much everyone agrees you need dust collection above and below the router table. I'm not a big fan of enclosing the entire router in a box under the table because
1. The motor vents can get clogged
2. It's harder to access the speed control
Several years ago I made a box that allowed for the bottom of the router to poke through the bottom of the lower box. It worked okay but was far from the perfect solution.
Today I was looking on Google images for what other people did for underneath collection on their router table. I saw one picture that sparked an idea and that led to this:
I started with roof flashing, tin snips and a Malco sheet metal bender. I made one edge on the 24" side, 3/8" wide
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab233/jules42651/dc/Router%20Table%20DC/RTDC_01_zpsaecb82d9.jpg
I then measured the outer dimensions of the plate that the router mounts to and made some bends
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab233/jules42651/dc/Router%20Table%20DC/RTDC_02_zps253c2e89.jpg
The first shield in place with the router extended to its maximum
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab233/jules42651/dc/Router%20Table%20DC/RTDC_03_zps096413f1.jpg
With the router plate bottomed out. This piece will be secured to the top (stationary) plate
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab233/jules42651/dc/Router%20Table%20DC/RTDC_04_zps57fcd17d.jpg
I then had to figure out how to contain the dust under the router mounting plate. I wrapped a piece of sheet metal around the router base. There were sufficient gaps that needed to be sealed and the issue of where the dust collection port will go.
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab233/jules42651/dc/Router%20Table%20DC/RTDC_11_zpsa7df4e4a.jpg
I needed to get the profile of the router so I used this and took the profile where the lock handle is. Putting the shield where the lock handle was abandoned quickly.
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab233/jules42651/dc/Router%20Table%20DC/RTDC_12_zps120f6290.jpg
I cut a piece of 1/2" laminated MDF to the width of the router housing, just inside the handles. Then I used the profiler and cut the sheet metal and then bent it around the MDF. I also used the profiler to get the shapes to cut around the handles.
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab233/jules42651/dc/Router%20Table%20DC/RTDC_14_zpse2a98a5b.jpg
I cut back the strip I had earlier used to wrap the router base and screwed it to the box. I wanted to rivet it but it needed to be removable, just in case.:rolleyes:
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab233/jules42651/dc/Router%20Table%20DC/5f75c3a5-518c-44ff-8a36-a6b6eb11953b_zpsfb0a025e.jpg
With the MDF and dust port in place and the router extended to the maximum.
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab233/jules42651/dc/Router%20Table%20DC/RTDC_15_zpsaf8827cb.jpg
With the router bottomed out. No conflicts.
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab233/jules42651/dc/Router%20Table%20DC/RTDC_16_zpsfe727a3a.jpg
I still have some work to do on it before I test it. I need to secure the stationary shield in place and fill in some gaps on the other side.
1. The motor vents can get clogged
2. It's harder to access the speed control
Several years ago I made a box that allowed for the bottom of the router to poke through the bottom of the lower box. It worked okay but was far from the perfect solution.
Today I was looking on Google images for what other people did for underneath collection on their router table. I saw one picture that sparked an idea and that led to this:
I started with roof flashing, tin snips and a Malco sheet metal bender. I made one edge on the 24" side, 3/8" wide
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab233/jules42651/dc/Router%20Table%20DC/RTDC_01_zpsaecb82d9.jpg
I then measured the outer dimensions of the plate that the router mounts to and made some bends
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab233/jules42651/dc/Router%20Table%20DC/RTDC_02_zps253c2e89.jpg
The first shield in place with the router extended to its maximum
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab233/jules42651/dc/Router%20Table%20DC/RTDC_03_zps096413f1.jpg
With the router plate bottomed out. This piece will be secured to the top (stationary) plate
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab233/jules42651/dc/Router%20Table%20DC/RTDC_04_zps57fcd17d.jpg
I then had to figure out how to contain the dust under the router mounting plate. I wrapped a piece of sheet metal around the router base. There were sufficient gaps that needed to be sealed and the issue of where the dust collection port will go.
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab233/jules42651/dc/Router%20Table%20DC/RTDC_11_zpsa7df4e4a.jpg
I needed to get the profile of the router so I used this and took the profile where the lock handle is. Putting the shield where the lock handle was abandoned quickly.
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab233/jules42651/dc/Router%20Table%20DC/RTDC_12_zps120f6290.jpg
I cut a piece of 1/2" laminated MDF to the width of the router housing, just inside the handles. Then I used the profiler and cut the sheet metal and then bent it around the MDF. I also used the profiler to get the shapes to cut around the handles.
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab233/jules42651/dc/Router%20Table%20DC/RTDC_14_zpse2a98a5b.jpg
I cut back the strip I had earlier used to wrap the router base and screwed it to the box. I wanted to rivet it but it needed to be removable, just in case.:rolleyes:
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab233/jules42651/dc/Router%20Table%20DC/5f75c3a5-518c-44ff-8a36-a6b6eb11953b_zpsfb0a025e.jpg
With the MDF and dust port in place and the router extended to the maximum.
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab233/jules42651/dc/Router%20Table%20DC/RTDC_15_zpsaf8827cb.jpg
With the router bottomed out. No conflicts.
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab233/jules42651/dc/Router%20Table%20DC/RTDC_16_zpsfe727a3a.jpg
I still have some work to do on it before I test it. I need to secure the stationary shield in place and fill in some gaps on the other side.