Router table without insert help required

[Wuffles]

Bought a router table (an old Axminster one for the UK people) recently, from photos and a description. It's solid, cast iron, very sturdy thing, and came with a router already bolted in (Draper Expert) which means my OF1400 doesn't get sacrificed in there.

Unfortunately, there's no insert - didn't even really notice when I looked over the photos and agreed to buy - and no lift mechanism so doesn't seem there's a possibility of amending it by throwing money at it. So, it seems I'd have to throw some skill at it, which I perhaps don't have.

So, first issue is find me a simple way of pushing the router up and down for adjustment (not the scissor lift car jack that the previous owner used - which is all well and good, just a little less accurate) - looking for some finesse here.

Secondly, need to extend the plunge depth for any router that's used under the table, and was wondering if anyone has any experience of these? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121190516509?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

This is my first foray into table routing, and was trying to avoid spending a fortune of time or money on it before finding out how useful this is going to be for me.

Tell me if I'm barking up the wrong tree and am missing something straightforward. You guys are smart.

 

[semenza]

How about a couple pictures of the table?

I have a feeling from your description that you may end up spending the time and probably a fair chunk of money to bring it up to  what you want. Maybe resell and build one to add a lift into.  I don't know what you plan to use it for or the type of things you make , but I can't imagine a router table not being incredibly useful.

Seth

 

[Wuffles]

Yes, I was hoping you might not say that I have bought a duffer.

 

[semenza]

That's a pretty nice looking table though.  And is that a sliding table?  That's a nice feature.  Maybe make do with its short comings to see if you want to move ahead with another router table set up?

Seth

 

[Wuffles]

Bingo, now we're talking the same language - suits my wallet.

Right, so back to the initial questions, how can I rig up a lift of some sort, and am I likely to kill myself and anyone in a 300 meter radius if I were to try that extension collet.

 

[Alli]

After having a bit come loose because I didn't have enough of the shank into the collet because I was trying to get more height and had run out of plunge travel. I remember seeing the bit start to wobble and I hit the floor and hoped the bit would pass overhead while I fumbled with the stop button  [eek] real brown trouser time! I bought one of those collet extention's and have had no problems with it and think it is far safer than not having the bit far enough in the collet any day.

 

[Wuffles]

Thanks Alli.

I snapped a 1/4" bit once and watched the head bounce off a wall, but your story sounds like something from a horror movie.

 

[Wuffles]

See this looks interesting, not sure if the router under the table will allow, and am unsure whether I want to stick a hole in the table top.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Ultra-cheap-router-lift/?ALLSTEPS

 

[GregBradley]

Best: choosing a router and having a table that will allow the bit to work properly through the table.
Acceptable: using a bit extension when needed
Scary: not having enough router bit shaft in the collet

Unless that table is really thick where the router mounts, you should be able to find a router that will do the job properly. How thick is the table at that point?

Several router companies make routers that adjust with a tool from above the table.  I have a Bosch and Milwaukee. Here is one article describing some: http://www.finewoodworking.com/media/RouterTables.pdf

 

[Wuffles]

Well thank you very much. That helps massively.

I think as the table itself is solid, I'll stick with it and modify it to my needs.

In fact, the more I've thought about it, the more it's becoming less of an issue. Think I just had the post purchase blues when I first posted.

I've gone for the collet extension anyway to see how I get on, been in situations before where it would have been handy. My OF1400 probably plunges more than the one that's in there, but I'd rather not have it stuck in there as I do far too much freehand work.

Thanks again.

 

[Wuffles]

Anyone used one of these?

http://www.woodrat.com/plungebars.html

Because if they're any good, I'm on it! The company appears to be based about 10 miles from me too...of all the .coms in all the World.