Yet Another Router Table Question

[Stephen Edwards]

Howdy Creekers,

I'm fixing to build a router table. The first one that I ever had was a piece of plywood with a hole cut in the center of it. Screwed the router to the plywood and layed it across two saw horses. That was more than 35 years ago, before I even KNEW there was such thing as a REAL router table!

Since then I've upgraded twice, both used, bench top Craftsman tables. They served their limited purpose fine. But now, I want a top notch table and I want to build it myself.

I've seen posts here at SMC in the past with photos of shop built RT but can't seem to find them now when I search the forums. I would appreciate it if anyone can send me links to past posts here on the Creek that have photos of shop built RT.

I'm not really interested in duplicating someone else's design. I just want ideas, photos, suggestions and thoughts from people who've already been down this road, please.

My top will be a minimum of 36" wide by 24"-28" deep. I know that I want an enclosed area for the router itself. I want DC both above the table in the fence and in the enclosure for the router.

Thanks for your time and tips! I appreciate it very much.

[Dave Lehnert]

I guess the most popular would have to be the table Norm built on the New Yankee Workshop.

http://www.newyankee.com/getproduct.php?0301


http://www.newyankee.com/sketches/0301s.gif

[Les Zielinski]

Marc Sommerfeld's Router Table is 36" x 27". His table uses extruded aluminum top, but if you want to make your own table top, there is a DVD available on his website that describes detailed construction of the cabinet with features that you want (dust collection top and bottom).

[Dewey Torres]

Here are some threads to look through:
I just pulled every thread from SMC that has pics like you asked. I did not pull the ones I thought were the same or related but tried to give you what you asked for in the way of pics and varied designs. It should take you a while to read these but the nice thing is they are all Creekers so if you find one you like you can ask the builder about it:D

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=93220&highlight=router+table 1

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=89858&highlight=router+table 2

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=89694&highlight=router+table 3

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=87977&highlight=router+table 4

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=16151&highlight=router+table 5

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=33245&highlight=router+table 6

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=49648&highlight=router+table 7

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=78912&highlight=router+table 8

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=76384&highlight=router+table 9

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=69533&highlight=router+table 10

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=69292&highlight=router+table 11

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=69292&highlight=router+table 12

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=68870&highlight=router+table 13

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=65551&highlight=router+table 14

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=63419&highlight=router+table 15

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=59675&highlight=router+table 16

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=58732&highlight=router+table 17

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=55054&highlight=router+table 18

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=53829&highlight=router+table 19

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=48736&highlight=router+table 20

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=39938&highlight=router+table 21

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=41187&highlight=router+table 22

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=45049&highlight=router+table 23

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=34241&highlight=router+table 24

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=33525&highlight=router+table 25

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=33174&highlight=router+table 26

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=23852&highlight=router+table 27

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=25733&highlight=router+table 28

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=23900&highlight=router+table 29

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=21005&highlight=router+table 30

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=18219&highlight=router+table 31

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=8022&highlight=router+table 32

[Stephen Edwards]

Thanks folks. I sure appreciate it. Dewey, I really appreciate you efforts to find all those links for me. I've already got some great ideas from those photos.

Merry Christmas to All!

[Greg Hines, MD]

My table I built has dust collection off of the fence and through the handle of the router, so that it does not require sealing it off, and it has worked well so far. I am at work, but if you want some photos, email me.

Doc

[Jeff Bratt]

Here's yet another set of router table photos...
http://home.san.rr.com/jeffnann/WoodWorking/Shop/Shop.html#Router_Table_

[Stephen Edwards]

Here's yet another set of router table photos...
http://home.san.rr.com/jeffnann/WoodWorking/Shop/Shop.html#Router_Table_

Thanks Jeff. Those are some really clean photos with some great design features. Much obliged for that link.

Thanks again to all of you.

Doc: I sent you an email.

[Rick Hubbard]

Hi Stephen

Here are a couple of shots of my THIRD router table rendition. The only thing out of the ordinary is the hinged top, which is really great if you don't have a lift OR you find little pleasure in getting down on your knees to make adjustments.

Also, I made some effort to include dust collection both at the fence and in the cavity.

Rick

[Dewey Torres]

Hi Stephen

Here are a couple of shots of my THIRD router table rendition. The only thing out of the ordinary is the hinged top, which is really great if you don't have a lift OR you find little pleasure in getting down on your knees to make adjustments.

Also, I made some effort to include dust collection both at the fence and in the cavity.

Rick

I got you Rick. You are #23

And... you had not a single reply when you posted it. I can't believe it! Must have been back in the old SMC days since now you can name a thread "nothing" and get a few hundreed replies. Nice router table

[Stephen Edwards]

Hey Rick,

Thanks for the photos. I really like the hinged top. That's a great feature.




Hi Stephen

Here are a couple of shots of my THIRD router table rendition. The only thing out of the ordinary is the hinged top, which is really great if you don't have a lift OR you find little pleasure in getting down on your knees to make adjustments.

Also, I made some effort to include dust collection both at the fence and in the cavity.

Rick

[Rick Hubbard]

I got you Rick. You are #23



I didn't look through your links until after I sent the two pics of the table. Actualy, I had COMPLETELY forgotten that I had posted the pics once before.

My NEXT table is in "design mode" since I have learned from a reliable source that the Jolly Elf will be dropping off a Benchdog cast iron router table top and ProLift at my house in a few days!:D:D (The new top won't fit my existing table, however).

Rick