Homemade router table with a Triton

[Wim]

I used the small Triton (2 1/4 hp) and not my OF1400. A Festool is much too nice to put away in a dungeon.
For quite some time I was thinking of making a real router table to replace my emergency router table. By reading a lot of comments on the woodworking forums, I was able to configure my optimal version.
I glued together two sheets of 3/4" MDF and put Formica all around. I bought a Pinnacle mounting plate and T-tracks and a miter rail and made the holes/grooves for them.
From 3/4" birch ply I made the cabinet, connected with Kreg screws. Four wheels with brakes for mobility.
From 3/4" birch ply I made the fence with two sliding fronts, covered with Formica.
From 1/2" birch ply I made the drawers. I could use the router table already for routing the drawer lock grooves.
Further some electrical stuff and I was ready to go. I will add some refineries as featherboards and a crosscut fence, but I'm already very pleased with the results. It feels extremely sturdy and all components are flush and straight were they need to.
Dimensions of the table: 600 x 1200 mm. Table height: 900 mm.

 

[JPF Woodworking]

Now you are talking!!! Nice job! I just got back from Woodcraft where I purchased a Jessem Master Lift II, on sale for $299.00. I have several Porter Cable 690's that will be dedicated to a new router table set-up that is still in the design stages. Of course luck would have it the most recent postings on router tables feature a German Design housing a 2200 EB. I almost jumped back into the car to return the Jessem.....

However, I agree with you that keeping a great router like the 2200 in the "dungeon" would be a waste. My plan will be to go over to the Festool 1010 for general "handheld" routing and probably dovetails. The next times get the call to push a larger cutter I'll step up to the 2200 . The bottom line for me at this point is to continue with my 690's in a quality lift until they die. I'll beef-up the table router at this point with a heavier, variable speed router that fits this lift.

For now thanks for the inspiration to continue my router table design work!

John

 

[mastercabman]

Looks nice!  I am now in the process of redoing my router table.Since i read Peter's post on wanted a nice router table i got my table top and started to retro fit.
I originaly made a top to fit my MFT 1080 It was ok but felt a little too big.And it seems that everytime i needed to use to router,i also needed to use the MFT.I got tired of switching the top,so now i am building a cabinet,on wheels with drawers so that i can keep "everything router" within.
My table top is made from 1" MDF laminated with white HPL
I also cut the top down to 24"X 32".
I am also building a new fence.I'm using baltic birch and white laminate.This week end i'm hoping to finish the fence and get the cabinet started.

WIM you stated that you made your table 900mm tall,is that including the wheels?

 

[Wim]

WIM you stated that you made your table 900mm tall,is that including the wheels?

It was supposed to be 900 mm from the floor, the same height as the MFT/3. But with goofing up with inches and millimeters it is a few millimeters higher.  [embarassed]
But with the uneven floor I will not even notice it.  But the mobile router table is very practical. I can park it everywhere and get a lot of free space.

 

[ART at WORK]

Hi
I just found your post as I am planning to build a Table top for my Festool A5 Router base. I tested the CMS earlier this year in one of the shops here and found it to be great to take with you but not stable enough with all the side bits and sliding rail and with all that lot 1000 + euro.
I decided for my workshop needs - a table with cabinets underneath, a bigger work area, more stable and cheeper was called for.
Im still in the planning Phase.
Do you have some more photos from different angles and details.
Looks like a really nice job.
How has it been now you have had time  to really test it ?

Pip

 

[Wim]

After almost a year i'm very pleased with the results. It is stable like a rock and the tabletop and fence are still straight and square. I do most of my routing with the table. And with the different types of jobs, my stock of routerbits is also growing.
The only thing I like to change is the location of the wheels. They are not close enough to the edges so kicking the brakes is some hassle.
I added a few more pictures from the building. If you have any questions, please ask.

 

[sancho57]

Hi
I just found your post as I am planning to build a Table top for my Festool A5 Router base. I tested the CMS earlier this year in one of the shops here and found it to be great to take with you but not stable enough with all the side bits and sliding rail and with all that lot 1000 + euro.
I decided for my workshop needs - a table with cabinets underneath, a bigger work area, more stable and cheeper was called for.
Im still in the planning Phase.
Do you have some more photos from different angles and details.
Looks like a really nice job.
How has it been now you have had time  to really test it ?

Pip

Im in the process of building a router table to fit in between my 2 MFTs. It will serve as a shelf that rest on the cross members of a MFT to place systainers while Im working/building carcasses etc, then when I need to route something Ill place the shelf/ router table inbetween the MFTs, drop in the the plate/ router, set up the fence and Im good. Im trying to utilize all the available space have all my tools with in reach for increased speed ease set up, work flow etc.

 

[John Stevens]

...but I'm already very pleased with the results.

Yeah, it's not just nicer than most router tables I've seen for sale, it's nicer than most of the furniture in my home.  Great job.

Regards,

John