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11K views 28 replies 12 participants last post by  mafe 
#1 ·
horizontal router table (blog)

Systainer router table
and Festool MFT vertical / horizontal router table.
(Extra long title, laugh).

Systainer router table?
A router table, that can be stored in the router systainer (tools box), used with the systainer as a small on site router table, but also used in the workshop, as a small vertical and horizontal router table.
Almost sounds too good to be true, but I actually pulled it off!

The project were made out of need, since I realized, I were using my palm router quite often, in a really stupid way, yes and of course also out of pure joy.


So here we have the systainer.
It's for my Makita cordless palm router, a tool I have come to use a lot and as much as I used to hate routers, I start to use this one more and more.
First step is to measure the inside width.


Then the widest sections deepness.


38,8 x x20,1 cm, I think it's the same for all systainers, but you better check it your self, if you plan on building one, for a different brand…


DANGER!
This is how I often found my self using the palm router, as a micro router table, you can probably imagine, how easy it can tip over and I would have to go looking for my fingers…
(I am aware I am a completely idiot, so you are allowed to nag).


A piece of good quality (scrap) plywood cut to size.
Notice there are a gap behind and in front, this is due to the systainers shape, but it also gives a air flow and makes it possible to attach a vacuum hose, if dust extraction is needed.
The systainer will hold most of the shavings and dust, so it can be easily emptied after use.


I choose a size, that could slice down the rabbet in the systainer, so I can use it as a divider, under transport.


Cutting some strips of plywood, to raise and support the table in the systainer.


Just a wee higher than the systainer, to avoid catching the edge.
It will be mounted under the table on to the systainer.


Here you can see the systainer, has a natural lip, that will be used for support.


Next up is the table top.
Festool MFT3 holes are marked up, with the 96 mm spacing, so I can use my clamps, dogs and other stuff with it.


My DIY router plate are marked up.
Here four blogs about it:
Here you can see how the base plate was made, as I made another router table, for my allotment: https://www.lumberjocks.com/mafe/blog/131023


Like this I could get most holes.


After marking the holes carefully with a brat awl, they are drilled, with a 20mm Forstner bit.


Almost through, the top is turned and drilled from the back, this is to avoid tear out.


Tataaaaaa!
A small worktabe, for the systainer.
Starting to look like the idea I had.


Time to work on the router part.


A hole…


Just for the jigsaw, to saw out the cenrtre.
Leaving the shoulder, for the router plate to rest on.


Then the router can come to use, routing out for the plates thickness.


That's kind of it…


But I guess I did not tighten the bit or the base, since, a part of the shoulder had been routed out, half a mm too deep…
Bad luck MaFe!


Well easy fixed, with masking tape in layers, until the plate and table are all flush.


Plate mounted with screws and now drilling hole for a starter pin on three sides.
(What is a starter pin: ).


Starter pin ready for safe routing.


All edges are run over, with a 45° router bit with ball bearing.
Like this it becomes smooth, sexy and stronger.


Sexy!


Uhhhh getting even closer to the idea.
Here with the router mounted on to the plate.


I have ordered a spare China base for the router, that I will attach and leave on, for quick and easy use, so I don't get tempted to be lazy.


By now it functions as a small router table, that can be mounted on any tabe, here on my MFT3 from festoool, this was part of what I were planning for.


A simple fence, from plywood.
Using a 3D printed bench dog in one end as picot point and a spare lamp clamp, I had laying in a drawer of nonsense for years..


From under side.


Lamp clamp, it can be any clamp.


Bench dog held in place by a knob bolt.


Kind of annoyed me, to see the clamp, sticking up over the table…


So routing a rabbet for it.


Like this I have a flush surface.


Hmmmm the router slipped in the middle and made a small round spot there…
******************** happens and no one will ever know - if you promise me, you don't tell it…


Now the fence can also be used more easy.
Notice I made a hole, that the dog can slip into, like this it goes deeper into the base and gets a better hold.


Here with standard clamp.


A couple of extra holes in the fence, makes it usable as a bench hook / stop.


In both directions.


Why I liked the lamp clamp.
(This end version can not be used on the systainer).


Finally back to the systainer.
The side spacers / holds position are found.


Marking centre of the spacer.


Spacers get double sided tape.


And are put in place.


Table put on top, to check the hight.


Drilling and sinking holes.


Screws to secure the spacers.


I also prepared holes, so it's possible to secure the top to the systainer, if needed.


Like so.


For storage, the screws are put in from the underside, so they are ready.


Finally here we have it, a systainer router table.
(The black clips are flush with table when fully opened, so no problem there).


In workbench mode.


Used as a saw horse.


It's all up to your imagination.


Here with Makitas small fence.


Sweet.


Can be stored, with router mounted.


A tall fence…
A new idea emerged, once the router table was done, so I made this quick plywood tall fence.


Because with a MFT3 table, you have the option to clamp on the sides and so, the router table could become a horizontal table in a moment.


Just move the fence to set bit distance.


Stops can be mounted with clamps.


Now we have a floating tenon setup, Domino light if you like.
You can buy a box of Dominos (or make them) and you have an extra joinery option.


Or just a tall fence for the table.


The top is flipped and router mounted.


Like this.
You also need to set the depth, no router lift here.


Your hand can get into the box, from the back of the table, to turn the router on and off.


Let's route.
This will be great for on site tasks.


Everything can be stored in the box, plenty of room for my other router bases also.


I'm out of here, see you all soon.

To my friends here:
This summer I have been almost absent from LJ, long story short, I got a depression last winter and spend the summer recovering in my new allotment house, building, gardening, restoring, making lovely food and finding my feet again. Now I feel better than ever, but also realized I have to be better at managing my time. Suffering from chronic pain and PTSD, I have a strong need for time in peace and time alone. This means I will try to come here as often, as I have the energy, but I can not be the one who always leaves my friends a comment, on every project. Hope you all understand and respect this choice.

Hope it can be to some inspiration, or even better some systainer router tables.

Best thoughts,

MaFe
 
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#7 ·
always love your blogs and all the pic's you provide,you always inspire me to do more buddy.so glad you got through the depression and are back at it.when and what you do here will be your choice that i respect my friend.
 
#9 ·
Frustrator, I have written LJ and asked them what goes on, I have begun to get messages from people using mobiles, that they can't see the pictures… I guess it's because mine and others pictures are on our own servers, not on LJ and something on LJ stops that now, when you are on the phone…
I expect they will solve the problem as soon as possible, sorry.
So you have to look on a computer until they solve it.
Best thoughts,
Mads
 
#16 ·
Hi there,
It should be working now, with the pictures.
As I understand it, the problem was that Chrome, made a software update, that did not allow unsecured content in the browser and my server space were not set up with a forced SSL https not http (I believe it was called so) and LJ had at some point made a https setup.
Now I have changed the settings and it should do the trick.
So in short if others get the same problems, it can be solved relatively easy.
Most important is it, that one don't need to update all the links to https, as this happens automatic, I were almost ready to delete my account, since I have more than 400 blogs, that should then have been edited.
What a nightmare!
Best thoughts,
Mads
 
#18 ·
Hi James I miss a lot out these days, simply not enough hours in my life… Sometimes I feel kind of guilty towards you guys, but as we never made any promises and do it all for the joy, that must be ok.
Thank you.
I love it, use it all the time now and was not a big work to build.
Merry Christmas
 
#19 ·
dust extraction and more...

Systainer router table
dust extraction and more…

Last time when I finished the build and wrote the blog, I knew I could not fool my self… I wrote that the systainer should take the dust… Well I were fully aware that if I used it inside, I would have a lot of dust every were, so I decided to solve it right away.


So here it is, fully hosed up, for routing.
One hose on the work surface and one under the table, on the router, suction here provided by my small Makita battery vac.


Here the router with all the stuff in the systainer, I can squeeze a hose in there.


Basic setup.
Just suction on the top.


For smaller jobs, this is fine.


Here the full setup connected to the shop vac.


The Makita router dust thing.


Full battery setup


Just standard drain pipe.


And a old vac hose from the trash.


Simple setup.


The black thing, is from the trashed hose and is a cut of, from the handle, as this had the right size, but you can buy all kinds of adaptors..


Drain parts.


Had to modify a wee bit.


Du to the vac's shape.


Shop vac. hose to hose.


Ohh yes, just for show, you can of course also use a standard router plate, with a standard router instead, you just take up more of the table space.


Vac. Hose holder in the making.
Ply and bolt.


Now with a foot, screwed and glued.


Less is plenty.


Giving it a 20mm hole, to be MFT3 usefull.


Here another model clamped to the table.


With a bench dog mount.


Like so.


Let's route.

Hope it can be to some inspiration and less dust…

Best thoughts,

MaFe
 
#23 ·
Adding a fixed base

Systainer router table
adding a fixed base.

The China base arrived, so I could make a fixed mounted base.
This will make it no more than a click, to put the router on the table.


Crazy world, 4.99 GBP / 6.5 USD / 40 DKK, including shipping - no wonder the Western economy are falling apart…
Had to wait two weeks, but that's more than fair at that prize.
Even comes in a nice box…


It's a plastic base, yes so not as solid as the metal base, but it does not matter in this setup.
The base plate will be kept, for the case I need the extra option, of a transparent base.


Think I should have taken the lever closure option, but the knob is fine.


Ye, it fits perfect, only the little gear needed a washer on each side, since it was a little loose.


Of course it don't have the same holes as Makitas base, so marking up for new once.


More marking, with a center punch.


Drillin for screws.


The new base also needed enlargement of the holes, as they were made for self cutting screws.


Counter sinking the holes.


Bolts, washers, nuts and Loctite, so it should stay in place.


We got us a router table!


Flip around to adjust, or to take the router out of the base.


Quick and easy, also for bit change.


And when not in use, the extra base just stays on the router table.
I'm a happy monkey.

Hope it can be to some inspiration, perhaps a pack from China…

Best thoughts,

MaFe
 
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