Router table installed in MFT

[woodshopdemos]

About a year ago I cut a place in one of my MFTs for the installing of a Jessem Mast-r-Lift. I was waiting for their new Jessem/Milwaukee router (3.5hp) with remote speed control. Last week I finally got around to installing it. It couldn't have been easier. I made a simple fence and instantly set out to make a raised panel door...which I think is one of th important tests of any router table. I thought that the table might be too low, but not if you are sitting down...perfecto.
  By the way, if your question is why not one of the Festool routers? They are just too nice for such an installation...really.

Your input will be appreciated.

Router Table in MFT Story

Elena and friend Sal...

 

[Eric]

How hard is it to replace the top on an MFT?

If it is quick/easy, I would think you could make a top that is setup as a router table that you can drop in?
I think it would be a nice setup for people with limited space?

Eric

 

[Dave Ronyak]

John,

Very nice.  Have you or anyone else considered building a simple extension table that could be attached to one of the edge rails of an MFT?  Start with Jerry Work's idea for joining a pair of MFTs (wooden side rail extensions with through bolts whose heads are inserted into the side rails).  Make a such rail and join it to support one edge of a piece of flat stock even with the top of your MFT.  Support the other edge with a simple folding or telescoping leg so you can adjust the router table extension to be in plane with the top of the MFT.  You can make it to accomodate any fence.  If you have an Incra or JoinTech fence, you can then mount it through the existing holes in the MFT top.  The router could be mounted directly to this extension table or to a drop in plate.  It could also serve to support longer stock on the MFT, e.g. for crosscutting at the opposite end of the MFT.

Dave R.

 

[Mirko]

John,
The holes on the fence are very smart idea, no more excuses why I didn't have a feather board installed.
Last year I lost 1/4 inch off the end of my finger and the the whole nail, because I was rushing and stupid at the same time

btw, how did the Festool clamps hold out under high vibration?

Mirko

 

[clintholeman]

WAY awesome John!!!

I really like the idea and the execution!

How about combining that WoodPecker fence with a router table??

 

[woodshopdemos]

John,

btw, how did the Festool clamps hold out under high vibration?

Mirko

Mirko,
  They worked alright but I have already substituted them out with the orange quick clamps. I will show that next week along with the Dust Sucker hookup to the CT22 and I also have an Incra LS that I can put on the table.
  This is a work in progress. I was delighted that it allowed minor adjustments for the raised panel bit set.

 

[Warrior]

John,
Cool post.
Is there any sag in the top with the router installed?

Thanks,
Eiji

 

[woodshopdemos]

John,
Cool post.
Is there any sag in the top with the router installed?

Thanks,
Eiji

Eiji,
  I have been watching it closely. None so far. I think that the MDF, even with holes, will be quite sturdy.

 

[SteveD]

Going back to a thread on the previous site (I believe) one must not forget that the size of the router top (or the top options for other 'stuff') are not limited to the MFT size. It is possible to make a frame that is the size of the MFT top and fasten that frame to the MFT. Then one can fasten  a working top to the frame that is larger than the original MFT and with holes where one wants to put them. Of course one has to be aware of the location of the rails. I'd feel a lot better about screwing stuff to an old piece of ply than my accurately machined MFT MDF top.
I have done a similar thing by bolting a sheet to the top of the MFT for various things (bolted mainly as I did not have enough clamps at the time). I can see a frame that is sort of universal and bolting or clamping items for the drill press, chop saw, (er, I don't think I need one of those anymore) horizontal router, upside down jigsaw and jigs of various kinds. I even had a mental plan of mounting my Delta drillpress in the MFT frame so that the movable table was level with a good working height and the flat top. Then I could use the large flat surface to mount/clamp stuff whilst it was being drilled.
One mental note I do have from my experiments with the frame insert is that it should be bolted and using wing nuts to the MFT frame rather than screws.

SteveD

 

[3mbjts]

John,
Your site has been a great asset of information. I'm looking forward to your post on the Dust  Deputy and CT22.
The Incra LS/MFT  will also be of great interest. Keep up the great Demos!
Mike

 

[Corwin]

Yep, you'll love the LS on top of the MFT!  Simple to set up for parallel cuts...  And great for the router as well.