MDF for stability The cabinet, top and fence are mostly MDF, which comes flat and stays flat. MDF is also heavy. The extra weight makes this router table stable and dampens router vibration. Safe, convenient switch The external switch lets you switch your router on without opening a cabinet door. When making stopped cuts, you can even switch it off with your knee, leaving both hands free to hold the workpiece. The switch is optional; you can use the switch on the router. You need to set the height of the bit. It determines how much of the bit is exposed or how much it will cut into your workpiece. Before I start with step one, let me first remind you to wear personal protective equipment. To keep yourself safe, use eye and hearing protection and a good quality respirator. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your table and router and work safety rules. Step 1: Selecting a Bit Another joinery technique you can use your router for is planing. This is a crucial step when preparing wood for jointing. Planing is important because it removes imperfections and ensures edges are perfectly straight. Router Table as a Jointer

Say, for example, you want to make a specific arch or curve for a door. Find the right template and attach it to the panel of the door. Use your router and table to trim the exact shape.The most used feature is the table top. More often than not, the top is MDF or Medium Density Fiberboard. This material is denser than plywood, another common table top material, but it is denser and therefore sturdier and more durable. MDF is also one of the more affordable materials.

For straight cutting bits, you adjust the fence from the front. Use a ruler across the bit’s center and rotate its cutting tip towards the fence. Adjust to ensure it’s the right distance away and then secure the fence. Stand-alone legs or a cabinet support a workstation of this style. One bonus with a cabinet style table is that you get extra storage space underneath your workstation. Use it to store your router, various bits, and accessories. Full Router Table System You attach a router bit to a router table using a collect. Before you fit the bit into the collet, make sure your router is unplugged from the power supply or remove the battery. You use a T-slot to safely and accurately position your cuts for fast and precise results. Raised Panel Doors A standard router table is popular with woodworkers of all skill levels. It’s a little bigger than a compact table and suitable for a wide range of woodworking projects. Essential features will include a flat top and base plate, T-slots and miters, a sturdy base, and simple to secure fence. Floor Standing or Cabinet StyleWith a router table, there’s no such problem. You can work on any size workpiece. To improve your control even further, use a feather board. The table allows you to have both hands free to hold accessories or other parts while at the same time providing a sturdy base for placing your workpiece. Joinery Techniques Important: Before you screw in the middle shelf, measure the height of your router and make sure the shelf location will allow you to remove the router motor from the base. I placed the shelf 12 in. from the top, but your router might require more space. This may also change the height of your drawer parts.

Cut all the cabinet parts (parts A – G) and band them with hardwood edging (S – W). I used maple. When gluing on the edging, I used masking tape to hold it in place until the glue set, though there were some stubborn spots where I needed the extra force of clamps. The edging has two purposes: It protects the edges of the MDF, which are prone to chipping and denting, and it just plain looks good when the router table is finished. The table top of a router table is mounted to either legs or a base. The base could be a cabinet or something more solid. Base Plate

8 Great features of the DIY Router Table

If you want a smooth cut and experience less vibration, choose a 1/4” bit. Step 2: Fit Bit into Collet If you need to make a further adjustment, draw a line with a pencil on the table next to the fence. If you loosen the left end of the fence, you’ll be able to pivot it closer or farther away. Tighten it up when you think it’s right and make another test cut. Step 6: Workpiece Feeding Lots of options are available to make sure you have the right base plate. For example, you can get one-size-fits-all, pre-drilled plates, and blank plates. Fence

Safety of the operator should be a primary concern, as there is potential for injury when using a router. The bit guard is an important feature as it keeps your fingers away from the spinning bit and protects your hands when cutting. It also stops chips from flying up into your eyes. Starter Pin The fence base and rail will come from one piece of MDF. Cut this blank to 8-5/8 x 32 in. and drill a 3-in. hole in the center with a jigsaw or hole saw. Rip the blank in half and you’ve got both parts, perfectly matched (Photo 6). Think of the top like a sandwich. The MDF core (D) is the meat and the 1/4-in. hardboard (N) is the bread. Here’s the recipe: First, glue one layer of hardboard (cut about 1/2 in. larger than the final size) to the MDF core (Photo 2). I pressed the parts together using a slab of MDF as a platform, 2x4s and clamps. This is a complicated glue-up, and I strongly recommend that you make a dry run complete with all the clamps first. Edge trimming and pattern work are two of the most common uses. You can use your table to smoothly and expertly trim edges. Also, the fact that you can get the feather board closer to the router means greater accuracy. They’re useful for delicate jobs such as edge forming, rabbeting, and grooving.

Required Tools for this DIY router table fence project

The plate must be compatible with your router and fit rigidly and level to the table. Many tables have a leveling system. It allows you to make adjustments to ensure the plate is balanced and secure to help get a perfect fit. There is so much you can do with a router table than just cut pieces of board. I’ve compiled a list of some of the most common uses for this versatile product. Edge Trimming or Pattern Work Once you’ve adjusted the fence, you should test your setup using scrap pieces of wood. Make sure you set everything up before you start working on your project.