Router extension for MFT 1080

[Eric]

Had an idea for making a router table that hooks onto the side of the MFT.  I was thinking it would be a great way to save space and have a portable router table.

The plan was to make a top out of MDF or plywood and put legs on one side to level it and hook the other side to the MFT.

What do you guy's think?

Eric

 

[John Langevin]

Good idea Eric, I have had similiar thoughts including hinging the attachment to the table and using folding legs with braces. It could also serve as a table extension. Give some thought to embedding rails in it to serve as an extended length end stop for the MFT. Would love to hear more of your ideas.

 

[Eric]

Went shopping for my idea and bought the Incra LS 17" fence.  The plan is to mount the fence to a piece of plywood and clamp the fence to the top of the MFT.  I will just mount the router on the front of the MFT.

Just not sure what to do for dust collection with this fence.

Eric

 

[Corwin]

Eric,

Their Super System, which adds the Wonder Fence, addresses the DC issue.  Short of purchasing that upgrade, you can always make a subfence to include the DC.

Corwin

 

[Eric]

Is the Wonder Fence a worthy upgrade beyond DC?  Does it have good DC?

I was planning on getting the Triton TRA001 which includes a dust collection port.  Does anybody know if the TRA001 has good enough DC that I wouldn't need it on the fence?

Eric

 

[Eric]

I just finished building it but haven't tested yet. 

I've posted a few pictures and will let you know how it works.

Eric

 

[Recky]

Hi Eric
Nice idea, have you considered positioning it on the end instead of the side, if you lowered the table level with the MFT you would have one hell of an extention table, from what I know about Incra systems they need to be 3/4 of an inch up at the back otherwise they will tend to bind as you move them, lowering the table is a two bird sort of thing.
Extraction was never very good with any incra fence till they brought out the wonder fence, the cutter hole is too small and theres not much room under the positioner arm for a hose

all the best

Allan

 

[Eric]

Recky, I positioned it on the front so I didn't have to remove the fence and I can still cut narrow stock.  Do you have any more information on why you should have the back of the fence 3/4" higher?  I was just following the manual and what I saw on the Incra website when I made the fence level with the router.

I'll probably make a similar extension table down the road. 

After I get the kinks worked on the the router table setup, I'm going to make side extension for $90 table saw I have and use the Incra fence for it instead of the horrible fence it has.

Eric

 

[Corwin]

Hmmm, I think I would have to agree with Allan on the table hight.  Wouldn't you really want to have the extension table on the same plane as the MFT?  

As to the, "need to be 3/4 of an inch up at the back otherwise they will tend to bind as you move them," this is certainly not the case with my LS.  Cannot speak to their earlier versions, but these units do not bind as you move them.

Corwin

 

[Recky]

Oops,  sorry,  : seem to have created some confusion with this, maybe im not moving with the times, Looks like they have built it in with the LS as it just bolts down direct, all the others needed to be set on a 3/4 board.

message to self, Put brain in gear before operating gob

Allan

 

[Eric]

I put the router add-on to sit above the table so it would be level with the fence which is mounted on a piece of plywood.  I didn't want to mount the fence directly to the MFT.

When I build a table extension later, I will build it the same plane as the MFT.

Hopefully this makes sense.

Eric