The siren call of professional-grade gear is tough to block out for home woodworking. Router tables offer a good example. In the past few years, the trend has followed the “bigger is better” line. Even with mobile bases, these continent-sized tools take up significant space in a small workshop.
My build-it-yourself approach has several payoffs. In the case of this router table it’s to nestle into a sweet spot for size. The 660 x 460 top is sized for the kind of projects you’re likely to encounter in Austalian Woodsmith.
The Hoop pine plywood and plastic laminate that make up the top provide high performance. We used a Kreg plate and lift system that makes bit changes and adjustments easy and accurate.
CABINET BASE. Down below, the cabinet is a triple threat. Enclosing the router dampens the sound. It also contains dust and chips. Finally, the case offers storage for all the things that go with routing: spanners, insert rings, bits, bearings, set-up gauges … the list goes on.
GOOD LOOKS. Workshop projects, whether commercially made or hand built, feature a pragmatic, utilitarian design aesthetic (read boxy and boring). I want my workshop to exhibit the same creativity that I like to express in my other projects. The flared legs amp up the visual appeal without clogging the construction process.
NOTE: All parts are 19mm plywood
Cabinet comes FIRST
The centre of gravity on
