Time for a new router table, the old Rockler with the really old Jessum router lift that was not up to heavy work, had to go. The other no name table top table was too narrow, and the MDF table had serious bracing underneath to try and keep it from dipping in the center. The fence and the newer Jessem router lift on this unit were keepers.
I used a piece of old growth clear pine for the trestle, loose 1/2” double tenons glued in and double bolted stretchers between, the nuts and rod ends are hidden in deep holes in ash end caps so as to not scar my shins when I walk by. Home Depot supplied the locking castors, I have them on a lot of the tools in my shop.
I made the 40” by 28” top from a treadmill walking platform. This material is slick and robust, The top was basically free so this is an experiment to see what hidden bad things there are (if any). Because the top was 3/4” thick I stiffened it with a piece of 1/2” B/Birch ply.
The slightly worn side of the top was scuffed and contact glued to the baltic ply, The unused side where gravity pulled the treadmill belt away from the surface was pristine, this became my new top.
I then glued Ipe around the edge.
Did the usual make your own template, and routed the hole for the lift and the T- Slots and the Miter slot. All the aluminum was bolted down with 6-32 screws and nuts.
The dust port on the round bucket exits tangentially at the bottom so as to swirl the air exiting and this in turn will hurl the chips to the sides of the bucket. The purpose of this is to try and keep chips from being sucked into the cooling air intakes of the router motor, I don’t mind dust going through the motor but chips clog and build up on the router motor and this I don’t like. Using a piece of A/C foam I sealed the bucket to the underside of the top held the bucket on with drywall screws.
I used a new product (for me) goes by the name “Bend A Drain” found it at Lowes about 12 bucks for ten feet. That’s the black crinkly pipe in the photos.
The biggest expense was the Woodpeckers micro adjust gadget, which attaches to my old fence. This item works like a charm. I am quite impressed with it.
-- Love thy neighbour as thyself
10 comments so far
hunter71
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3541 posts in 4159 days
#1 posted 07-26-2015 07:18 AM
Looks like it will work good.
-- A childs smile is payment enough.
stefang
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17040 posts in 4306 days
#2 posted 07-26-2015 09:42 AM
Well done. Your setup looks very good. I like the micro adjuster too.
-- Mike, an American living in Norway.
Belg1960
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1123 posts in 4037 days
#3 posted 07-26-2015 11:23 AM
That looks like a great set up. Your not worried that the router will warm up inside the bucket? I guess as long as the vacuum is running there will be air movement. Do you have a blog on how you make the loose tenons, would love to own a Festool Domino but that’s not in the cards. Thanks Pat
-- ***Pat*** Rookie woodworker looking for an education!!!
Scott
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121 posts in 3196 days
#4 posted 07-26-2015 03:57 PM
At first I was expecting to see a router mounted to a treadmill so you could woodwork and exercise at the same time. But this is good too :)
DocSavage45
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9028 posts in 3815 days
#5 posted 07-26-2015 05:51 PM
Wow lots of connectors in that dust collection port. looks like things might start getting more efficient? Thanks for showing us!
-- Cau Haus Designs, Thomas J. Tieffenbacher
exelectrician
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2339 posts in 3399 days
#6 posted 07-26-2015 10:48 PM
Thanks for showing interest in my experimental treadmill router top and the swirl effect in the bucket collector.
I always run my D/C system when routing so fresh cool air around the router is not a problem.
-- Love thy neighbour as thyself
Texcaster
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1293 posts in 2646 days
#7 posted 07-26-2015 11:49 PM
Top Job !
-- Mama calls me Texcaster but my real name is Mr. Earl.
dankorber3
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6 posts in 1805 days
#8 posted 02-14-2016 12:58 AM
Anyone know how i can email exelectrician?
Thanks dan
[email protected]
Belg1960
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1123 posts in 4037 days
#9 posted 02-20-2016 11:57 AM
He’s a very active member so should see your post soon.
-- ***Pat*** Rookie woodworker looking for an education!!!
exelectrician
home | projects | blog
2339 posts in 3399 days
#10 posted 01-22-2019 04:21 AM
Hi Hunter, Yeah this router table is the best tool in my shop.
-- Love thy neighbour as thyself
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