I'm planning on building a new router table, after my Crapsman router
shorted out and I realized that Crapsman's idea of a "universal" router
table means it will fit any other Crapsman routers, but not many others,
including Bosch or Hitachi. I learned a long time ago not to buy any more
Crapsman tools, but I'm still paying the price for it.
Anyway, I'm going to use MDF for most of the construction, but was wondering
if anyone had any ideas on what to use for the top surface. More
importantly, where can I buy it from? I was thinking of using a laminate
counter top, but they're about $50 for a 4 x 8 sheet at the local Lowe's.
Any advice will be appreciated, especially if there's a link attached.
Keep on cuttin'!
I built my router table from two sheets of 3/4" plywood (glued & screwed
together) covered on the top and bottom with plastic laminate sheet, and
banded in solid oak. The laminate sheet is about $20-$25 for a 4x8 sheet if
memory serves. Available in many colors at the Borg. If you don't like
their color selection in stock, walk over to the kitchen cabinet geeks and
they'll show you every color ever made, available for order.
For work, we just ordered the Rockler benchtop router table. Looks like
everything we need. Might be worth considering if you are less than
enthusiastic about building your own. Long link, hope it works:
http://www.rockler.com/ecom7/showdetl.cfm?&DID=6&offerings_ID=10172&ObjectGroup_ID=531&CATID=7
I gave away my Craftsman router table. The lack of a real fence made it
feeble. It was sturdy enough, but just too inaccurate. I've got no problem
with my Craftsman routers. Both are serving me well. I've got a PC as
well, and just ordered the fixed/plunge Dewalt combo model. A man can never
have too many routers (per Norm).
Good luck.
"Dan Stuepfert" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I'm planning on building a new router table, after my Crapsman router
> shorted out and I realized that Crapsman's idea of a "universal" router
> table means it will fit any other Crapsman routers, but not many others,
> including Bosch or Hitachi. I learned a long time ago not to buy any more
> Crapsman tools, but I'm still paying the price for it.
>
> Anyway, I'm going to use MDF for most of the construction, but was
wondering
> if anyone had any ideas on what to use for the top surface. More
> importantly, where can I buy it from? I was thinking of using a laminate
> counter top, but they're about $50 for a 4 x 8 sheet at the local Lowe's.
> Any advice will be appreciated, especially if there's a link attached.
>
> Keep on cuttin'!
>
>
>
Dan Stuepfert wrote:
>
> I'm planning on building a new router table, after my Crapsman router
> shorted out and I realized that Crapsman's idea of a "universal" router
> table means it will fit any other Crapsman routers, but not many others,
> including Bosch or Hitachi. I learned a long time ago not to buy any more
> Crapsman tools, but I'm still paying the price for it.
>
> Anyway, I'm going to use MDF for most of the construction, but was wondering
> if anyone had any ideas on what to use for the top surface. More
> importantly, where can I buy it from? I was thinking of using a laminate
> counter top, but they're about $50 for a 4 x 8 sheet at the local Lowe's.
> Any advice will be appreciated, especially if there's a link attached.
>
> Keep on cuttin'!
Go to a real lumberyard, they can get a piece as small as 2'x4' for you
in short order.
Scott
--
An unkind remark is like a killing frost. No matter how much it warms
up later, the damage remains.
"Dan Stuepfert" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> I'm planning on building a new router table, after my Crapsman router
> shorted out and I realized that Crapsman's idea of a "universal" router
> table means it will fit any other Crapsman routers, but not many others,
> including Bosch or Hitachi. I learned a long time ago not to buy any more
> Crapsman tools, but I'm still paying the price for it.
>
> Anyway, I'm going to use MDF for most of the construction, but was wondering
> if anyone had any ideas on what to use for the top surface. More
> importantly, where can I buy it from? I was thinking of using a laminate
> counter top, but they're about $50 for a 4 x 8 sheet at the local Lowe's.
> Any advice will be appreciated, especially if there's a link attached.
>
> Keep on cuttin'!
Dan,
I double laminated mine with 2 - 2' x 4' pieces of formica from the
Borg. They cost $10 a piece. For less than half the price you
mentioned, you still have a fairly big table, with a top quality top.
MDO. Shellac the paper when you're done.
Works good, slides fine, lasts a long time.
"Dan Stuepfert" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I'm planning on building a new router table,
>
> Anyway, I'm going to use MDF for most of the construction, but was
wondering
> if anyone had any ideas on what to use for the top surface. More
> importantly, where can I buy it from? I was thinking of using a laminate
> counter top, but they're about $50 for a 4 x 8 sheet at the local Lowe's.
> Any advice will be appreciated, especially if there's a link attached.
On Fri, 22 Aug 2003 17:58:11 GMT, "Dan Stuepfert"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>I'm planning on building a new router table, after my Crapsman router
>shorted out and I realized that Crapsman's idea of a "universal" router
>table means it will fit any other Crapsman routers, but not many others,
>including Bosch or Hitachi. I learned a long time ago not to buy any more
>Crapsman tools, but I'm still paying the price for it.
>
>Anyway, I'm going to use MDF for most of the construction, but was wondering
>if anyone had any ideas on what to use for the top surface. More
>importantly, where can I buy it from? I was thinking of using a laminate
>counter top, but they're about $50 for a 4 x 8 sheet at the local Lowe's.
>Any advice will be appreciated, especially if there's a link attached.
>
>Keep on cuttin'!
>
You can use MDF for the top and secure it with 4 screws. When it
wears out, flip it over and use the other side. When that wears out,
replace it. Or, you could use contact cement and buy some laminant
scrap from a home improvement store for a few dollars.
On Fri, 22 Aug 2003 17:58:11 GMT, "Dan Stuepfert"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>I'm planning on building a new router table, after my Crapsman router
>shorted out and I realized that Crapsman's idea of a "universal" router
>table means it will fit any other Crapsman routers, but not many others,
>including Bosch or Hitachi. I learned a long time ago not to buy any more
>Crapsman tools, but I'm still paying the price for it.
>
>Anyway, I'm going to use MDF for most of the construction, but was wondering
>if anyone had any ideas on what to use for the top surface. More
>importantly, where can I buy it from? I was thinking of using a laminate
>counter top, but they're about $50 for a 4 x 8 sheet at the local Lowe's.
>Any advice will be appreciated, especially if there's a link attached.
>
>Keep on cuttin'!
>
check out the cabinet shops in your area. they may be able to help you
with a corian sink cut out. thats what i made mine out of and its
holding up real well. i used three peices and left the spacing
inbetween so that my tablesaw miter guage fits in the slot. a local
steel yard helped me with a 2x2 square aluminum tube to make the fence
out of. i mounted the router directly to the top and eliminated the
need for a base plate. skeez
I bought a top from Woodhaven. It wasn't cheap but good stuff rarely is.
You owe it to yourself to at least take a look at www.woodhaven.com
Rob
"Dan Stuepfert" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I'm planning on building a new router table, after my Crapsman router
> shorted out and I realized that Crapsman's idea of a "universal" router
> table means it will fit any other Crapsman routers, but not many others,
> including Bosch or Hitachi. I learned a long time ago not to buy any more
> Crapsman tools, but I'm still paying the price for it.
>
> Anyway, I'm going to use MDF for most of the construction, but was
wondering
> if anyone had any ideas on what to use for the top surface. More
> importantly, where can I buy it from? I was thinking of using a laminate
> counter top, but they're about $50 for a 4 x 8 sheet at the local Lowe's.
> Any advice will be appreciated, especially if there's a link attached.
>
> Keep on cuttin'!
>
>