This method grew out of my need to make some small, precise wooden prototypes a few months back. First I purchased one of those X/Y milling vises and clamped it to my drill-press table. Then I made a simple router bracket that locks onto my drill-press column. The permanently attached bracket, which swings out of the way for drilling, enables me to quickly and easily set up for milling whenever I need to.

For the bracket, I chose phenolic for the baseplate because of its flatness and rigidity and 2-in.-thick hardwood for the arms. I made the hardwood arms first and clamped them to the column with threaded rod. Then I screwed the baseplate to the arms.

To use the milling machine, I first make a crude height adjustment between the vise and router by moving the drill-press table up or down, and then I make precise adjustments with the router itself. For quick router attachment and removal, I purchased an extra router base that I keep screwed to the jig.

Michael J. McGinnis, Santa Rosa, Calif.

Fine Woodworking Magazine, April 1992 No. 93