Replies

1. 
   wgsdvm | Nov 02, 2004 10:58pm | #1

   Benchdog makes a router table insert for table saws

1. 
   ottoparts | Nov 03, 2004 03:53am | #2

   I looked into those and the quality looks great, but I want to try making one first. If it turns out to be more than I'm ready to tackle, then I'll probably go that route.

2. 
   jackplane | Nov 03, 2004 05:00pm | #3

   Place your router subplate over the area, about 12-16" from the fence. Scribe it and rout the depth to fit flush. With a hole saw bit, drill a 2-2.25" inch hole centered. Drill for three pins to hold the router.

    Make sure the subplate placement will not interfere with the fence(nylon ring underneath.)

1. 
   Sancho | Nov 03, 2004 05:12pm | #4

   woodhaven makes a template for the whole and the plate to fit it along with directions. 

   Darkworksite4: I'm RonT and I have approved this message

1. 
   jackplane | Nov 03, 2004 06:01pm | #5

   The poster said he wants to make one first.

    We can always buy a gadget from a catalog. Why not save time and money and make one?

3. 
   forestgirl | Nov 03, 2004 06:50pm | #6

   Otto (or is it "auto"? LOL)  The current Wood magazine has a nice fence plan in it, looks like a solid and versatile fence, without being too gimmicky.  Seems easy enough to build.

   Can't help you with the table design.  Hopefully, someone will have one handy!

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
   Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

4. 
   adrienne4468 | Nov 03, 2004 07:18pm | #7

   Go buy any book on routers and there are plans for cabinets in them. Just modify the design to fit between the rail and height to fit on the mobile base your saw is on to keep it level with the table top. AWW has published many plans for router tables and acc's. I have the book Woodworking With The Router. It has a few designs and the bonus is it tells you how to use the router in all functions. Well worth reading.

   My .02 worth

   tony

   We already have enough youth, how about a fountain of smarts.
1. 
   ottoparts | Nov 04, 2004 04:25am | #8

   Thanks everybody for the input. I think I'd have more fun building one than buying one. I'm not in a rush to get it done, so I'll give it a shot and if I've got 10 fingers and a router table when I'm done, I'll be happy. As far as ottoparts, I sell auto parts, so took this name from the movie "Repo Man". Seems like a great group of helpful woodworkers. I'll be sure to come back often.

5. 
   Michmesquite | Nov 04, 2004 10:23am | #9

   Delta/Jet & others sell laminated panels used as extensions for their TS's. I think there is a plan on Delta's site on how to construct one. Takes about an hour to make the table extension and then the time to glue on the HPL. I would suggest doubling up on the plywood top so there is 1.5" thickness and not .75". The weight of a 3 HP router will flex the extension if it is left at .75".

   There are several drop in plates available if you don't want to make your own. Woodpecker's can supply good ideas.

   It is really a very simple, yet useful and effective task.

   If you have a t-square style fence, you can make jigs/aux fences that attach to the t-square and make a nice router fence. FG's post has a link for ideas on how to build the fence.

   _________________________________

   Michael in San Jose

   "In all affairs it's a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted." Bertrand Russell 

1. 
   ottoparts | Nov 04, 2004 10:24pm | #10

   Thanks Michael.  I'll see how it goes.  I'll be using a Bosch 1617EVS router which is pretty light, but I still plan on doubling up the table thickness. 

   I also am in San Jose.  Where's your favorite place to buy wood?

   Eric

1. 
   Michmesquite | Nov 05, 2004 04:45am | #11

   Jackel in Watsonville http://www.jackelenterprises.com/

   Higgins Lumber in Livermore http://www.higlum.com/

   If all you need is one piece of something and have too much money in your checkbook http://www.southernlumber.com/_________________________________

   Michael in San Jose

   "In all affairs it's a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted." Bertrand Russell 

1. 
   3glenns | Nov 15, 2004 08:43am | #12

   I am also looking for an idea for mounting my router in or next to my tablesaw. I have decided that I will build a seperate cabinet for the router table and use a clamp or quick screw to hold the top next to my table saw and in between the fence rails. This will allow me to extend my work surface.

   I have been searching for idea's for the table top. Most comercially available tops are just particle board with a thin laminate on top. I made my own out of 3/4 hard board sandwiched together to make a 1 1/2" top that I laminated with a countertop skin. It has worked fine for several years. Because the hardboard (or particle board) can absorb moisture, swell and ruin the top, I put a finish on all exposed area's.

   As for the cabinet, any type will do. Norm Abrams made a great cabinet and his own fence on "the New Yankee Workshop". I think you can buy a tape of it at Rocker. You might even find the hardware as well in a kit. What I remember about his cabinet is that he had a central section for the router that was inclosed. It had a clear plastic door wtih several holes drilled in the bottom to let air pass into it. There was a 4" dust port at the back, so the air flow kept the router clean. He also put a dust port on the fence as well.

   Good luck! Let us know what you decide.

6. 
   bmwz3coupe | Nov 15, 2004 06:03pm | #13

   Here are some pictures of the Tablesaw router mount set up I have used for years in my shop. Hope this gives you some ideas.

   
1. 
   3glenns | Nov 16, 2004 02:36am | #14

   Z3,

   Thanks for the pics! My problem is that I don't have a fence system like yours. I have a tube style fence rail and can't attach anything to it. (its a Vega). That is why I was thinking of building a cabinet on rollers and slide it between the rails.

   I like your system, I just don't know how to attach it to the saw. Any idea's?

   I was also woundering if replacing the iron extensions with the router table causes more vibration?

   Thanks for the idea's,

   Geoff in Valencia,CA

1. 
   bmwz3coupe | Nov 16, 2004 03:03am | #15

   Can you attach anything to the underside of the fence rails ? Are they round or square ?

1. 
   3glenns | Nov 16, 2004 08:04am | #16

   The Vega fence system uses a round rail at the front and a square (optional) rail at the back end. The comercial Bench Dog router extensions table(cast iron) is available and they sell a kit to attach to these fence system. At the least, I might be able to use their kit. The problem is that I think the fence attaches to the side extensions for support. This might create a problem in attaching a home made router extension. That is why I thought I might just make a router cabinet on casters and clamp it to the saw for stability.

   I am open to any suggestions. With a one car garage, I need to find space saving idea's.

   Geoff in Valencia,CA

2. 
   3glenns | Nov 16, 2004 08:12am | #17

   Z3,

   What is your top made out of? It looks like melamine? I thought the melamine sheets at Home Depot looked thin and might wear through with use. You said yours has been in use for several years? Please let me know as I wanted to use something that will hold up.

   Geoff

1. 
   bmwz3coupe | Nov 17, 2004 03:33am | #21

   The orginal one I made used melamine, but the current one I purchased a 4' x 8' damaged sheet of formica from Lowes at half price with 95% of the sheet usable. I know that I would use the rest of the sheet over the years to come. 

2. 
   Patto | Nov 18, 2004 01:08am | #24

   I bought a full desktop from one of those modular office fitouts for $20 in a recycling building materials place. It is about 40mm thick with laminate on both sides. The short-term plan is to cantilever it a 90* to the end of my bench with a hole cut for the insert. When I move into the new shop, trim the top for a table doubling as an outfeed for a saw. There is not much flex in this material.

2. 
   forestgirl | Nov 16, 2004 09:26am | #18

   You can attach the router table to the edge of the cast iron wing, rather than replacing the wing.  Make legs with adjustable feet for the opposite edge of the table.  I just finished doing this for an extension table to mount an overhead blade guard on.  Haven't drilled holes in the cast iron yet -- just clamped it onto the edge -- but once I'm sure I've go what I want, holes and bolts will fasten it on.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

1. 
   3glenns | Nov 17, 2004 08:20am | #22

   Thanks! Luckily I have holes in my extensions, so I just have to build the legs.

   Geoff

1. 
   forestgirl | Nov 17, 2004 09:46am | #23

   Cool!  Have fun.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

2. 
   ottoparts | Nov 16, 2004 05:28pm | #19

   Thanks for the pics! That's exactly what I was looking for! I'm hoping to build it over the Thanksgiving weekend. I purchased the Incra insert (it's on sale this week) since it's never supposed to sag. Am I better off using my table saw fence as a router fence? or build a new one with slots on the table?

7. 
   mudman | Nov 17, 2004 02:03am | #20

   Here is mine. It is not finished. There is to be a slide out bit storage in the space on the left. I seriously doubt that I will ever finish it though.

   Mike

   please excuse my spelling.