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There are a lot of dangerous factors that should be considered while working with power tools. If you’re securing it to the bench or using it solely with your palm, there’s a good risk it’ll fall out of your grip. To avoid any accident, using a router table would be great.
The plunge router can come in handy when you have woodworking activities. The motor spins at a high rate, allowing you to break the wood with the drill in whatever direction you choose.
However, because of the tool’s extreme speed, it is strongly advised that you thoroughly understand all of the methods and techniques before using it.
You should know how to construct a router table to have a safe environment while working. This article is going to help you guide through the process.
Essential Equipment and Materials
When making a router table, the first step is to collect the required equipment and materials. Here’s what you’ll need to make the whole procedure successful.
- Plunge router (Edge Guide)
- V-Groove bit
- 2 Carriage bolts with penny washers
- Wing-nuts for the bolts
- Hole saw (1 1/2″)
- Straight bit (1/2″ bit)
- Circular saw to cut your Ply
- 3/4″ ply (14″x18″)
- Vacuum cleaner
- Clamps
- Pencil
- Zip tie (Holding Power Trigger)
- Gloves
- Safety goggles
- Dust mask
How to Make a Router Table for a Plunge Router?
Below you can find a step-by-step guide written in an easy-to-understand style for your convenience.
Step 1: Set Up Everything
Before beginning your project, put on all of your protective gear (safety goggles, gloves, and dust mask). Use the vacuum cleaner to clean the area. Please take all of the items as mentioned above and position them in a single location. Create a checklist, if possible, to keep things on point.
Step 2: Label the Clamps and Mounting Board
Cut the ply with care and patience. This board will serve as the router’s mounting surface. Since routers aren’t as big as some power machines, cut it down to size. The standard cutting size ranges from 14 to 16 inches in length. It would be best if you cut several moderate lengths of ply to create clamp bits.
Use the pencil to map the area where you’ll be slicing for precise cutting.
Step 3: The Router’s Position Should Be Adjusted
Determine the location of the router once you’ve determined the correct board size. Make sure you leave enough room all over the router to use as support. You should sketch around the main footplate if the location is satisfactory.
Step 4: Make the Recess
If ¾ inches depth of the ply is used, the deepness of the plunge does not go far enough. It would help if you recessed the router most of the depth of the ply because of the way it’s clamped in. Every workpiece heavy enough to trigger a problem would be supported by the edge guide of the bars and the router itself.
Using a fence to cut off one of the router’s edges and freehand the rest. It will aid in the prevention of any slip that may occur along the axis of the bars, but with adequate clamping force, this should not be a problem.
Step 5: Restrict Play and Create Grooves
Once you’ve completed the recess, double-check that the router fits nicely. This process can be done with two thin V-Groves. The grooves would span the length of the board and serve as a guide for where the bars should have been placed.
A V-Grove should be used to center the bars. However, you can use a narrow groove with a straight bit and a similar width as the bars. Nevertheless, make sure you don’t have any vertical play!
Step 6: Fix the Clamping Blocks
To secure it to the surface:
- Make narrow cuts on them and position them at a distance where they will not come into contact with the plunge router’s footplate.
- Take two bolts and place one in each clamp for added grip.
- Only make sure you make inlays on the board’s surface before attaching the bolts.
Step 7: The Ending Part
Give some test cuts when clamping the mount down. Once you’ve adjusted both of the ends for the plunge router, then your router table is ready to use. Now you are ready to plug in the router and put it to good use. It’s finally time to relax and enjoy your first project.
It might sound simple, but if you do not take sufficient steps, this tool may be extremely dangerous. However, it should be completely secure if the tool is properly screwed in and then clamped down. Follow the instructions carefully and precisely to make your own router table for a plunger router.
Learn more about how to use a plunge router?
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