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Trim Router Table for MFT
It's not
as if I do not have a router table. I built a very nice, full
featured one, four years ago, into the outfeed of a Hammer K3 slider
...
However,
the workshop is small and it can be inconvenient to access this
router table as machines need to be rolled out of the way. It
occurred to me - possibly as I was looking for a quick fix before the
next build - that it would be a fun project to add a small router
table into the extension of a MFT ...
The
MFT is built from mortise-and-tenoned pine, and is solid enough to
use as a second bench for hand tools ...
The
hinge for the track is shopmade from aluminium. Details
here: https://www.inthewoodshop.com/Powere...eFenceMk2.html
I
came across an inexpensive compact router plate and lift on Temu that
looked solid. These are original designs, as far as I can
tell.
I
built the fence on the first router table, and I have done so again.
This one is a simple construction with a different design from the
usual for adjusting depth of cut. Let me know what you think.
The
completed router table construction looks like this ...
Here
it is set up with the fence ...
The
router plate has above-table height adjustment as well as a lock for
the lift ...
I
made my own handle as the supplied version was not up to scratch
...
There
is a rather good starter fixture with a bearing for smooth rolling
...
The
plate came with two inserts, one small hole and one huge. The huge
was modified to medium and another added using perspex ...
Note
the blank insert made to keep dust out of the router spindle when the
router table is not used.
Open the door to the sealed box
to access the speed change ...
Also
seen is the power switch, available from Timbecon (in Perth).
Below
the box is a drawer for all accessories ...
The
fence is constructed from 3mm section 75mm high aluminium angle 300mm
long. The sliding faces are 8020 aluminium extrusions. This is all
easily cut on a table saw. No lay out here as all was in the scrap
bin.
The
fence does not run in T-slot mitre tracks, but instead rotated around
a locked pin at one end ...
There
is sufficient forward adjustment ...
...
and rearward ...
Dust
control comes from a outlet below the box ...
..
and and above, using a double hose from Festool. This runs to a
vacuum cleaner ...
When
not in use, the fence is hung on the rear side of the MFT
...
Regards
from Perth
Derek
October 2024