aluminum router table top

[violaine]

this thread will be for the work in progress of an aluminum router table top.

pros and cons using aluminium over ordinary (common) plastic laminates taken into consideration.

some cons on using aluminium laminates:
1. expensive (mine is the cheapest but a better brand (wilsonart/MF) at about 1mm thick = 2,800p per 4'x8' sheet, Unica aluminum is the cheapest at 2,450p) all sourced at Wilcon builders but maybe cheaper by a couple of hundreds from the distributor, i am not sure) versus plastic laminates from 600p to 1200p depending on brand and thickness.

2. relative softness of aluminum (i preferrred the wilsonart brushed aluminum laminates over the unica laminates due to its relative hardness...versus common plastic laminates which are more durable to scratches and dents...

3. laminate cutter may not be the ideal cutter to dimension the laminate.i had to use the circular saw

the size of my table top is 23"x 32" composed of two laminated 3/4" medium density fiberboard using yellow glue (Titebond II).

aluminum laminate attached to the mdf using a trusted contact adhesive.
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq76/violainesweetness/rt1-2.jpg

test fitting the rt plate (protective clear film of laminate still attached)
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq76/violainesweetness/rt2-1.jpg

will continue on saturday on this build. to rout the excess laminate using a flush trim bit..maybe the GMR1 can handle the job.
please do post your comments.

thanks

[ultimax]

I was thinking of making the same project about a year ago. I forgot how much the aluminum sheet/slab at T Alonzo but it really is tempting. from 1/8" to a couple of inch thick or more and you can buy it per square inch. Thicker is nice if you plan on doing a guide for a mitre. Maybe I'll do it this time. BTW nice project! ...clean place!

[owyn]

Nice clean shop. Looks like i have the worst shop at the moment. >_<.

Did the one who did the tiles made a good job? (No "ampaw"/unsupported hollow areas that can't take weight?) If you guys go to rob manila, the re-tiling job was awful. Lots of cracked tiles, uneven borders, some tiles are a bit off in color. Looks and feels a bit ghetto-ish, instead of spacious and clean.

[JayL]

Man we really cant have too many RTs. Doc will this build have t tracks too? Looks real flat top to me from the pic.

[ryobi]

Nice clean shop. Looks like i have the worst shop at the moment. >_<.

Did the one who did the tiles made a good job? (No "ampaw"/unsupported hollow areas that can't take weight?) If you guys go to rob manila, the re-tiling job was awful. Lots of cracked tiles, uneven borders, some tiles are a bit off in color. Looks and feels a bit ghetto-ish, instead of spacious and clean.

actual is not a wood shop its a showcase room or a museum doc is preparing for our next EB after beebenator hehehe cheers doc.....:D

Doc
nice aluminum router table top i love to see the finish table hope flatness of aluminum meet the requirement:rolleyes:

[violaine]

the table top will not be finished until the kreg twin miter and t track arrives from the 4th online in april (hope so). anyway i have a functioning rt and might as well maximise it before it is turned into a sanding station instead.

the flatness of the top is the result of the following:
1. adequate reliable contact adhesive
2. good timing before adhering the laminate to the mdf board
3. removing dust by sanding lightlythe mdf board before contact cement is applied (a piece of plastic laminate is the perfect spreader for the contact adhesive)
3. 50 kg weight distributed to the entire surface and left overnight.

i am fed up with a dirty shop.

i cannot proceed with the build not until Sunday.. Saturday is a work day.agh!

we all wont fit in my small 9'x12' woodshop...maybe eb's in twos! haha

[violaine]

no wip today or yesterday...more so tomorrow or the day after tomorrow.:(

[timber715]

Why? wassup doc?

[violaine]

ah eh...busy with something else and its not woodwork..no worry bro..i feel better each day.

;)