Hi all,
I've just purchased an Incra router table with the Incra/Jessem Mast-R-Lift II (http://www.incrementaltools.com/INCRA_Mast_R_Lift_II_p/incra%20mast-r-lift%20ii.htm). Kudos to Incra on two counts: the steel MagnaLOCK ring system modification to the standard Jessem lift is very nice compared to screw in plastic rings most mounting plates have (IMO), and the corner/leg extrusions for the table are neat because they have slots in them to allow you to box in the legs by just slipping 1/2" MDF panels into them "without visible means of support". So far I've added the sides and back, plus two shelves (no supports yet for the upper one, it's just wedged in). I plan to have a face frame and door(s) and drawers on the front, and a vertical on each side of the router for a dust collection box. And I have a Porter-Cable 7518 router which will be dedicated to this table.
Questions:
1) The lift has 3-1/2" of height adjustment. The lower end of this range will set the position of the top shelf. How much range do I really need to provide for? How much clearance should I have between the shelf and the router in the lowest position? And how much clearance on each side of the router for a dust collection box?
2) Should I just use a compartment of the box/cabinet for under the table dust collection, or should I use something like the Rockler "dust bucket" (http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=22208)? I see three disadvantages to using something like this: the cost, the redundancy, and the 13" height, which again moves the shelf down.
3) I'll probably have about 16" left between the two shelves, so it seems I'll have room for three drawers. Would you vote for three 5" drawers, OR a 4", a 5", and a 6", OR ??? Or should I go for four shallower drawers?
4) Have NEVER done drawers before. There is a width of 22-7/8" between the legs. What width should the drawer boxes be (I'll probably "cheat" and have them made [unsure])? Should the drawer fronts overlap the face frame (there's probably a proper term for this)?
5) What should I do with the area to each side of the central router box (approximately 6" wide x 9" high each side)? Doors or drawers? How many, what size? Should any doors (including the router access door) overlap the face frame?
Thanks, Dick
I've just purchased an Incra router table with the Incra/Jessem Mast-R-Lift II (http://www.incrementaltools.com/INCRA_Mast_R_Lift_II_p/incra%20mast-r-lift%20ii.htm). Kudos to Incra on two counts: the steel MagnaLOCK ring system modification to the standard Jessem lift is very nice compared to screw in plastic rings most mounting plates have (IMO), and the corner/leg extrusions for the table are neat because they have slots in them to allow you to box in the legs by just slipping 1/2" MDF panels into them "without visible means of support". So far I've added the sides and back, plus two shelves (no supports yet for the upper one, it's just wedged in). I plan to have a face frame and door(s) and drawers on the front, and a vertical on each side of the router for a dust collection box. And I have a Porter-Cable 7518 router which will be dedicated to this table.
Questions:
1) The lift has 3-1/2" of height adjustment. The lower end of this range will set the position of the top shelf. How much range do I really need to provide for? How much clearance should I have between the shelf and the router in the lowest position? And how much clearance on each side of the router for a dust collection box?
2) Should I just use a compartment of the box/cabinet for under the table dust collection, or should I use something like the Rockler "dust bucket" (http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=22208)? I see three disadvantages to using something like this: the cost, the redundancy, and the 13" height, which again moves the shelf down.
3) I'll probably have about 16" left between the two shelves, so it seems I'll have room for three drawers. Would you vote for three 5" drawers, OR a 4", a 5", and a 6", OR ??? Or should I go for four shallower drawers?
4) Have NEVER done drawers before. There is a width of 22-7/8" between the legs. What width should the drawer boxes be (I'll probably "cheat" and have them made [unsure])? Should the drawer fronts overlap the face frame (there's probably a proper term for this)?
5) What should I do with the area to each side of the central router box (approximately 6" wide x 9" high each side)? Doors or drawers? How many, what size? Should any doors (including the router access door) overlap the face frame?
Thanks, Dick
