| Project by Schwieb | posted 08-02-2011 01:14 AM | 6085 views | 17 times favorited | 13 comments |  |
 |
I visited a local hobby woodworker’s shop recently and got inspired to build a Norm Abrams design router cabinet with a few modifications to suit me. It’s hard to improve on what seems to be a pretty well thought out design. It was actually pretty fun to build and has turned out to be a great improvement over how I was doing things before. The case is birch plywood and the drawer fronts, door, and trim are cherry I had laying around.
I really like the fence design with a few modifications and added t – slot tracks. I wasn’t too thrilled with the plastic device they make for the dust collection behind the cutter so I came up with my own. After truing up the adjustable fence it really works great. I arranged the drawers differently and made the well for the router base a little smaller so I could make the drawers bigger. Chip collection is excellent .
I got to thinking about it after I finished it, that this “tool” was worth a lot by the time you put a good router base (Jessem Mast-R-Lift) and router (Porter Cable 7518) in it, not to mention the cutters and other components.
-- Dr. Ken, Florida - Durch harte arbeit werden Träume wahr.
13 comments so far
SkolVikes
home | projects | blog
39 posts in 3745 days
#1 posted 08-02-2011 01:22 AM
Nice job! AWESOME shop too!
Bob, Oregon
home | projects | blog
93 posts in 4360 days
#2 posted 08-02-2011 01:26 AM
I got to thinking about it after I finished it, that this “tool” was worth a lot by the time you put a good router base (Jessem Mast-R-Lift) and router (Porter Cable 7518) in it, not to mention the cutters and other components.
And I think you’ll find it’s worth every penny.
Beautiful work!
-- 73, Bob
Delta356
home | projects | blog
463 posts in 3822 days
#3 posted 08-02-2011 02:00 AM
Very nice. Never NOT nice. Great job…
You selling…...
How do you like that Rockwell Shaper???, I have been hunting for one of those on my local Craigs….
Thanks, Michael Frey
Portland, OR
FREY WOODWORKING INC.
Lee A. Jesberger
home | projects | blog
6873 posts in 4948 days
#4 posted 08-02-2011 02:34 AM
Very nice project. Great workmanship too.
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com
sandhill
home | projects | blog
2128 posts in 4892 days
#5 posted 08-02-2011 04:10 AM
Good job I would put that in my kitchen. Minus the router top that is.
therookie
home | projects | blog
887 posts in 3795 days
#6 posted 08-02-2011 04:16 AM
I want one bad…..... Need a planer more.
-- http://aewoodworks.webs.com
Ken90712
home | projects | blog
17919 posts in 4157 days
#7 posted 08-02-2011 10:21 AM
One of the better ones posted here on LJ’s well done! Should last for years and years.
-- Ken, "Everyday above ground is a good day!"
lanwater
home | projects | blog
3113 posts in 3902 days
#8 posted 08-02-2011 07:22 PM
Very nice.
I will second the jessem lift and the porter cable router.
-- Abbas, Castro Valley, CA
itsmic
home | projects | blog
1419 posts in 4086 days
#9 posted 08-02-2011 07:30 PM
Yes Indeedio, A dream machine for sure, Your results are “Norm Worthy” for sure, One of these days, one of these days, thanks a lot for sharing this inspirational piece
-- It's Mic Keep working and sharing
mafe
home | projects | blog
12844 posts in 4057 days
#10 posted 08-03-2011 03:02 PM
That is a really nice router table, and as with all you do every dtail is so well done and well thought out.
I love little details as the cable holders on the back and the open bit drawers for easy use.
Clever and I bet a dream to use.
Congratulation on that wonderful new tool in the shop.
How is the kayak?
Best thoughts,
Mads
-- MAD F, the fanatical rhykenologist and vintage architect.
Bertha
home | projects | blog
13588 posts in 3661 days
#11 posted 08-03-2011 03:05 PM
Nice box, Dr. Ken. You’re right, these “fixtures” really add up in price once you get some momentum. This one will serve you a very long time. Money and time well spent.
-- My dad and I built a 65 chev pick up.I killed trannys in that thing for some reason-Hog
Robsshop
home | projects | blog
923 posts in 3943 days
#12 posted 08-06-2011 04:55 AM
How’s it going Dr. Ken ? Another eye catching shop fixture you have assembled there ! You really have given this popular design a refined touch and I like the fact that You made it to suit Your tastes and needs. I in-fact just finished up a new upgraded router fence very similar to Your own, but haven’t had chance to post it yet. I am sure You are pleased with all the added features this design offers and I am sure something amazing will soon be rolling off its table top !! Once more, great looking work and thanks for the views !.....ROB
-- Rob,Gaithersburg,MD,One mans trash is another mans wood shop treasure ! ;-)
sedcokid
home | projects | blog
2738 posts in 4566 days
#13 posted 10-20-2011 03:22 PM
I have been searching the internet for a router cabinet that I really like and I think that yours takes the cake. So did you purchase Norm Abrams plan or did you just wing it? I like the changes you made!
Thanks for sharing
-- Chuck Emery, Michigan,
Have your say...