Trim router top for MFT/3 setup

[John T.]

I'm shopping for a small router top that I can clamp to my MFT/3. I have a cordless Dewalt router with a Festool dust extractor attachment I will use with it for small jobs like knocking board edges with a chamfer, small dados/rabbets, and trimming edge banding. I'll be using it outside while wearing a respirator so DE isn't the highest priority, but better DE will mean less cleanup and transferring dust inside from my clothes. Portability and storage is key, as everything has to go into limited storage shed space when not in use.

I have found two options but I can't judge whether one will be better for my use. The Vertias fence has a rail for any accessories like fence stops, but I would be limited to using the router-mounted DE which I already have an adapter for. The Rockler has fence mounted DE which might be more efficient, but I'll need to buy the additional adapters.

Rockler trim table tophttps://www.rockler.com/trim-router-table

Veritas table top and fencehttps://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/sho...ssories/110563-veritas-table-top?item=05J6701https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/sho...ories/110565-veritas-table-fence?item=05J6705

Should I be considering other options such as the Festool extension table with a custom modification/insert for routers?

 

[Peter_C]

I would recommend going with a dedicated router for the table. If cost is a factor something like a Triton router, which can handle a 1/2" bit. All you need then is a plate and some cheap melamine or similar. You can make or buy the plate. The fence can be something as simple as a 2x4" ripped straight and if you need to you can cut a section out or cut the 2x4 in half. I have used my Festool rail as a fence many times.

Part of the issues with those tiny router tables is your work will not be very stable as they are so small, and you are limited by the bit choices offered in 1/4" shanks.

Is using the router hand held an issue? Maybe invest the money instead on an OF1010 which offers the side plate for edging.

 

[John T.]

I already own the Dewalt trim router and use it hand held. I just thought some sort of table top setup would be more stable for better results. I haven't tried to use it for edge banding trimming though. I have thought of buying the new OF 1010 in the future but I can't think of an immediate need for it.

Your point about the size not being stable makes sense. Maybe I would be better off buying the fence and insert from Veritas and making a custom CNC clamp on table that is the length of the MFT/3 for more stability along the length.

 

[guybo]

Hi, here is and oldie but goodie

 

[afish]

If its your only trimmer I would look at just making a slightly bigger base and then wither mortising it in the table or an extension.  If you dont want to cut into the mft a piece of scrap wood with some laminate is all thats really need.  Look at the TSO power lock dogs they would allow you to quickly clamp the router plate to the mft.  The benifit of doing it this way is the router could be used in the table or handheld easily. here is a pic of the base I use on all my dewalt trimmers as the stock one is a little small.  something close to that should also allow you to drop it into a table and simply lift it out when you want to use it hand held.  I even just set mine on a bench upside down and do small parts but I dont recommend that for most and if the safety police come I will deny it.

 

[John T.]

Hi, here is and oldie but goodie

This is smart. I might have to make the MFT/3 hole larger to accommodate my chamfer bit, but it doesn't seem harder than making a special plate or table top. I need to look around and see how to get a fence attached to the MFT/3, but I don't think that'll be too hard.

If its your only trimmer I would look at just making a slightly bigger base and then wither mortising it in the table or an extension.  If you dont want to cut into the mft a piece of scrap wood with some laminate is all thats really need.

I'll give this some thought. I might be able to just find a ready made plate to save some time and borrow a Shaper Origin to directly route out the relief and hole for the router.

 

[rmwarren]

The Power Loc dog version.

[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]

RMW

 

[afish]

exactly like i was thinking, those things are handy. Im pretty sure all dogs should be made tike that.

 

[afish]

I just ran accross this in my you tube feed I think google is spying on me but this should interest you.

 

[Bob D.]

A couple years ago I made this to use my compact cordless router in my
basement shop where I do not have room for a full size router table.

It was made form a piece of 1/4" thick phenolic to which I attached my old
Freud router table fence to. The surface is flush with the top of the MFT so
if I remove the fence I can use the whole table top to support the work if
I'm using a bearing bit.

Now that I have the 3D printer I might make a couple brackets to fit the
aluminum profile of the MFT.

Something like these brackets I found on Thingiverse might work.https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3491303

What that bracket lacks is a way to secure it to the MFT so it needs a
tweak to be used to support even a mini router table.

 

[John T.]

Now that I have the 3D printer I might make a couple brackets to fit the
aluminum profile of the MFT.

Something like these brackets I found on Thingiverse might work.https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3491303

What that bracket lacks is a way to secure it to the MFT so it needs a
tweak to be used to support even a mini router table.

That's pretty nice. Do you mean lack of support as in no way to lock it in and it could slide?

 

[huntdupl]

Now that I have the 3D printer I might make a couple brackets to fit the
aluminum profile of the MFT.

You may have seen it, but could be of interest: Tilting Router Lift.

Its quite a bit or printing, took me about a week and a half sending stuff overnight and used about a 1 1/2" rolls. I haven't got all the hardware together yet, but the pieces seem to mate well. Following OP settings, these parts are solid AF and have no concerns bolstering a Makita cordless.. as [member=73094]afish[/member] posted, I was thinking something similar to T.Wilmots created. What a sad departure.

 

[ChuckM]

If you have a handscrew (cut with a V-notch), you can consider this (my setup used this morning):

[attachimg=1]

 

[Michael Kellough]

Hand screw clamps are way undervalued.

You can glue stuff on or cut away.
You can disassemble and get very custom.
You can short an inconvenient screw.

 

[ChuckM]

A handscrew as a base for holding the branding iron:

[attachimg=1]

 

[Peter_C]

A handscrew as a base for holding the branding iron:

What is that worlds smallest branding iron? Got a picture of the tip and a finished brand please?

I have been considering making a small branding iron with our registered "Spur" brand on it for leather goods, and maybe wood projects. Already have full size horse and cow irons.

 

[ChuckM]

Peter,

It's a regular iron, which I got from here (about $100 Cdn now):
https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/tools/hand-tools/32191-non-electric-branding-irons