DIY Router table
I made my own router table because, as usual, what is affordable and available in stores is lame and insufficient for my needs. I don’t really want to spend something like $500 just for a good router table so I made one. I also made my own adapter instead of buying one by re-purposing the fixed base I already had.
I made the base out of 2x4s and Simpson strong-ties. The corner ties are about $5 a piece or you can use two cheaper “Z-MAX” connectors. The top is 3/4 MDF. You can buy adapter plates for various router brands, or just make one like I did from 1/4″ acrylic that replaced the acrylic bottom piece of my fixed-base router. Use your router to cut a hole in the MDF and then use a rabbeting bit to create the countersunk part the acrylic base fits in. Remember to seal the MDF top with a clear sealer or something similar so the MDF doesn’t expand.
It works great, it’s way better than the $99 hardware store special, and I can use it for workspace in my shop instead of taking it up like a bench-top router table would. When I’m not using it I just lower the router and I have another table to work on.
8 Comments to DIY Router table
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Hi there… what are the overall dimensions of the top of your router table? It looks to be around 3′ deep by 4′ wide.
It’s 3′ wide, and 2′ deep.
Hi, I was wondering what thickness acrylic sheeting you used to fashion your template.
VERY nice design, BTW. On not only this but all of your other tinkerings too. Consider this eApplause.
what is the thickness of your plexiglas?
1/4″
Great table! I’m new to routing so my question is how do you cut out the hole in the mdf so neatly?
Mdf routed out with bearing guided bit guided by frame double stick taped to mdf table top, is only one way to do it.
1/4” plexi mat not be stiff enough. Nice idea though.