What to do with your cheap routers lying around,
December 19, 2009 by admin
Filed under Router Tips
This is Audio Commentary not Video
http://www.routerworkshop.net/freecontents/router_table_post/router_table_post.flvWhat could you use this quick router table for, this table is great for that 1/4″ shank 1/2 HP router that you have laying around. This is your Black and Decker or Sears router that you don’t use much anymore because this router that has problems changing router bits.
The idea here is to mount a 1/4 round over bit, cove bit or chamfer bit etc…in your unused extra routers and mount these routers in a custom table top used to quickly round over or cove your pieces. Each router has the piece of 1/2″ plywood mounted to it and made to quickly interchange in the bench.
Materials needed:
1 – 2′ X 4′ 1/2 Good-One-Side plywood for each router.
1 – safety guide pin.
Using your table saw tip the saw blade to a 14 degree angle and rip one 2″ strip of each side. Now you have three pieces 2 pieces – 2″ X 4′ X 1/2″ and 1 piece 20″ X 4′ X 1/2″ with the short side of the angle on the top edge of the router table top. This is going to be used as the mounting device on the workbench. I like to make the custom workbench that is used to hold these quick change router table tops.
Mount one of the 2″ X 4′ 1/2″ sticks on one side of the workbench then place the 20″ X 4′ 1/2″ with the angles interlocking like a linear dovetail joint then mount the second 2″ piece and make so the top can be inserted and removed easily as the linear dovetail joint holds the top in place. I would make this as a dedicated bench for one or more of these routers and tops.
FYI: The optimum bench height is as follows:
What is the optimum height of the router table or really any bench…And yes everyone is different. To determine the right table height for YOU do the following, stand comfortably in the middle of your shop bend your elbow and get the wife or friend to measure from your elbow to the floor.
If you are by yourself use a stick and pencil to mark where your bent elbow is on the stick. With this measurement subtract 5 inches and that is the optimum height of tables and work benches for you.
Next remove the router base plate and on a 20″ X 4 1/2″ piece of plywood using the plate mark the router mounting holes in one end of the plywood top 10″ from the end and 10″ in from the width. Drill the holes and mount the router to the plywood. Now you can slide these router tops into the bench leaving the router to hang over.
Your first cut will be a straight bit that is a bit wider than the pilot bearings of the intended router bits. This router bit will find the bit center of the table. Now mount the intended router bit and run it up through the top and set it at the required height. The intention is not to ever take this bit out from this table set-up.
You can add an optional home made fence,
Use a piece of wood that needs to be appox. 24″ long and 1 1/2 wide and 1″ thick. Maybe a straight 2 X 3. It also needs a 1/2 hole through the 1″ thickness and a 1/2 hole through the 1 1/2 width in the center of the fence.
Tips on drilling a 1/2 hole in the fence.
Clamp a piece of scrap on the side of the fence then drill with your 1″ spade bit….1/2 of the bit in the scrap and 1/2 in the router fence.
A picture is worth a thousand words. I hate trying to figure out and follow a diatribe of instructions but if a few words are put to a video it makes life much more simple. Thanks. Please consider a video next time. Your videos on other tips and projects are great.
Del,
First one to give me feedback on the videos. Thanks.
Hey I was at home and thinking about the two or three little router that were kicking around.
I didn’t think this was that hard…My thought was to keep it simple…And how can we make use of these old routers?
So the recipe is add a piece of plywood, a linear dovetail, a new router bit and we have our old routers back in action.
Every project can always use a round over or a cove so why not set these old relics up to make the cut quickly.
Rick
i find your site to simplistic yet hard to open.the blue screen that shows up is very annoying.
Jim,
Simplistic and hard to open? I don’t understand? It’s simple but hard to open?
Rick
I agree with Del. Even a photograph or two would certainly speed up the mental process. You still have the best woodworking show on the net. Thanks
Rick,
I get what you are saying. I think it is a great idea but why so large? I remember the video I got with my PC 890 router. It gave instructions on the building of the RWS table. In the video, Rick had the table top clamped to his table to rout the dadoes on the underside. That is a similar idea to this one. I think a table the size of RWS top would work great for this purpose, especially in smaller shops.
Jack
Hey, Jack you are right the idea is to get those routers out from under the bench and back in action. If my memory serves me TRW is at 16″ X 30″ but in the end size doesn’t matter.
Rick
I agree, a picture or two “wood” have been a wonderful aid to the above description.
Thanks for providing me with that idea. I have an old Sears router I started with looong ago, and believe it or not a Montgomery Ward one, that threatened to cut my fingers off when I knew nothing about routers. When I finally figured out that you don’t turn the dang thing on until you have figured out what your going to do with it or until you at least have it mounted on something, I never turned it on again! So now it’s time to put those two clunkers to do some donkey work. I also agee with the other comments. Just a picture would do wonders. Your idea is great, your info on the proper height is also very useful. Thanks. Rick
Rick – great idea but you lost me half way thru the optimum height of the table – I have to agree that a pic or two would have helped – I will keep reading and listening to your video and see if it gets through this old brain of mine
Burt
I am still using a B&D router that I bought in 92. It is mounted on a small stand that you can clamp to any reasonable surface. I have never attached it to a bench as my two benches are against the wall and I worry about cleaning up the sawdust, but if you have access all the way around your table why not.
john s