VS600: Designing a router workstation/VS600 stand

[Ned]

The VS600 joining system is a big piece (about a meter wide) and not easily stored.  It's not heavy but it is awkward.

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Recently I decided to abandon my router-table-in-an-MFT and build a more traditional router workstation.  I will be using an Incra router fence; the Incra design works best on a rectangular table with the router offset to one of the narrow sides.

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Here are two rough sketches of the workstation.  The novelty is attaching the VS600 to a pivoting base attached to one of the table's long edges.  When stowed, the VS600 will be lower than the table and out of the way.  When raised and locked, the user works with the VS600 from the back of the table; the table is available to support work behind the VS600.

The proportions of the two sketches are correct.  No detail is shown because I haven't got that far yet.

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VS600 in working position.

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VS600 in stowed position.

Comments?

Ned

 

[Doug Anders]

I like the idea...I am doing to do something with my VS600 but I wanted to integrate some of the features of this type of jig...that is, I think sometimes the VS600 could use some of the benefit of the extended guides both in the vertical and horizontal positions.

 

[Ned]

Doug--

If you're talking about the wooden extensions in the picture, I don't see why that feature couldn't be included in my design.  I'd already intended to have removable support on the router table for a horizontal workpiece mounted in the VS600.  Don't see any reason why we couldn't do vertical support as well.

What brand is the jig you've shown?  Website?

Ned

 

[mysterium]

Ned,

I don't have the Festool VS600 but I do have a Leigh D4 with a number of extra templates so I had similar storage issues that I wanted to incorporate when I was constructing my router table.  Like you I used (and I am very happy with) a Incra fence positioner.  Since I wanted to have available the full range of travel of the Incra Linear Twin it dictated that the table was deeper than wide.  I could have built a number of additional draws/doors on the long right hand side however I elected to make one large deep drawer that runs the length of the cabinet to hold the Leigh D4 & jigs.   This draw is not visible in the photo but is in the area below the door & drawers and exits on the back on narrow side of the cabinet (opposite the switch side).  It is "something like" 40" deep x 24" wide x 18" deep  (I built this years ago & I suffer from a faulty memory... :-\ ).   I used a pair of 36" full extension slides that because the draw is deeper that 36" doesn't fully extend but works well for access.   The reason I exited this out the back side is I wanted the lifting caster on the front for ease of maneuvering and with the caster in this location it would have limited the draw size & operation.

jim

 

[Doug Anders]

The "add on" to the dovetail jig is from Wood Magazine. It's one of their downloadable (for a price) plans. Yeah, I think you could definately incorporate something like that on your table.

 

[cdconey]

Ned,
I like your idea for the 'flip up' VS600 work space.  My only comment would be to make sure that any sawdust or chips do not get into the VS600 when stowed.  In my experience, the sawdust/shavings can get inbetween the template and bar that holds it and throw off the cut.    Maybe you could add a 'Flip up' cover that would protect the VS600 & could also support your stock on the back side of the VS600 when in use. 

From what I can envision from your sketch , the template would be pointing down when not in use, so this may not be a factor, but something to watch out for.

I made a shelf to hold my VS600 & templates out of the way over my door when not in use.  Can't wait to see your finished router station.

 

[Ned]

...Maybe you could add a 'Flip up' cover that would protect the VS600 & could also support your stock on the back side of the VS600 when in use. 

Another good idea.  I am very glad I posted this at the very beginning of the process.  I strongly dislike committees, but I think it's essential to get other people's ideas and criticisims into the mix.  If we stopped the thread now, the design would already be better than it would have otherwise.  But let's continue...

From what I can envision from your sketch , the template would be pointing down when not in use, so this may not be a factor, but something to watch out for.

Good envisioning.  I'll be doing a more elaborate but still sketchy VS600 model, so readers won't have to work so hard at seeing it.

I made a shelf to hold my VS600 & templates out of the way over my door when not in use.

The usual practical joke is a bucket of water.  A VS600, even without templates, would be really harsh. 

Ned

 

[Eli]

Is there a specific reason you're putting it on your router table Ned? Why not just fix it to a piece of ply and clamp it to the MFT in use? Flip the whole thing over and hang inside a stow box maybe, and the base becomes the lid.

 

[Ned]

Is there a specific reason you're putting it on your router table Ned? Why not just fix it to a piece of ply and clamp it to the MFT in use?

Yes.  As I mentioned earlier I wanted a conventional router workstation, rather than an MFT insert.  Both for the router and the VS600, I want to give them dedicated space separate from the (sole) MFT I've got.  Why not a second MFT for the router workstation?  Because, as I've said in other places, I don't think the MFT-insert idea is a good one.  A dedicated MFT could be made to work, but it needs a slick top and good dust collection and storage underneath.  Add all that and it may as well be a cabinet.  The cabinet will be a better solution and very likely cheaper.

I started off with the router workstation idea, and added the VS600 to it.  I don't think they'll interfere much with each other.  The VS600 will hold its adjustment while being pivoted down out of the way.  The table-mounted router's bit can stay up, and be out of the way of the VS600 in working position.  It will be important to make the table's fence mounting removable and reinstallable with good repeatability.

The pivot mounting of the VS600 is simply to avoid having to handle it more.

Flip the whole thing over and hang inside a stow box maybe, and the base becomes the lid.

That's a good idea, though it's not the direction I'm heading.  If you were to store the VS600 upside down with a template mounted and you intended to move it around much, some kind of retainer strap to keep the mounted template from pivoting out of working position would be a good thing.

Ned

 

[Ned]

Note to self:

It's convenient to be able to clamp a fence or other jig to the edges of a router table.  All edges of the table must have a lip to allow clamping.  This affects the design of the hinge area for the VS600.

If the lip overhang is too great in front, it affects drawer access.  Either no drawers there or fitted with slides with overtravel.  Must have vertical area above top drawer to provide clearance for a clamp.  20mm probably sufficient.

Would 25mm (~1 inch) overhang be sufficient for clamps?  I think so.