Re: router table mounting plate

btw, I'm using a maktec mt360 which i purchased in sm manila. best deal for the item that I've seen...

Re: router table mounting plate

Just make one, it is really not that hard and you'll surely save a bundle.

My first router table did not have a plate. I just routed out a depression into the plywood top (on the bottom side of course) of the table.

Not really because first table needed replacement, I now have 2 other manufactured tables with plates. No big difference really.

The important point to consider is that the plate MUST be perfectly flush with the table or else your workpiece can catch on the protruding edge. Also, it will cause some unevenness in the cut. With a no-plate table, this can never happen. The disadvantage of not having a plate is that you have to bend down when changing bits and adjusting the bit height which if find is not really that big a problem, just an inconvenience.

Oh yeah, neither have I seen a plate in the stores. My two manufactured tables came from HMR.

Re: router table mounting plate

thanks Incc63, I would appreciate if you can post some picture of your router tables...

Re: router table mounting plate

hmmm ... pictures. I used to have pictures of the manufactured tables but I can't seem to find them. I'll try to take some but its going to take some time since I won't be around this weekend.

Re: router table mounting plate

Hi guys,

In my experience there are two ways to go around all that bending to adjust your router height.

a. Make your table with a hinge on one side.
b. Use a Jack underneath the router to raise or lower it.

Hope this helps.

Re: router table mounting plate

Yeah, before I got the table with the plate, I always wanted to make one of those multi-faceted router tables, complete with dust collection, etc. etc.

The cutting edge in router tables is one with a lift which is basically a jack of sorts where the entire router can be raised vertically so you have access to it.

If you do DIY your table which is as I said not hard at all, study well what fence you make and the features you build in. The fence is VERY important so you'll want to make a good one. I don't mean complicated but one that is true (squala), smooth and rigid.

Re: router table mounting plate

Hi timber715,
I agree with Incc63 that you don't have to buy a mounting plate. I've seen some here (around C$20.00) that are made of hard plastic and frankly I'm not impressed with it. You'd be better off making your own.

To start you off with your table project, here are some pictures of my portable router table. The only reason I bought it was because it was on sale and would come a lot cheaper than making my own.

The table dimensions are L34"x W14" x H11".

My suggestion for the tabletop would be at least 3/4" plywood (maybe top it with formica to make it smooth?). For the fence, at least a 4" aluminum angle bar?

Re: router table mounting plate

@Jessie2:

A very nice router table you've got there. May I know where and how much you bought it? I myself is currently making a table to mount my Ozito plunge router. I used 1/4" plexiglass as the mounting plate. Maybe use a 4" - 5" aluminum angular for the fence. However, I don't know where I can buy those little adjustment knobs here in Manila. If you have idea where, I'll appreciate it if you could tell me. Cheers!

Re: router table mounting plate

Gregg, bro you'd be better off using a fixed base router instead of a plunge router ... believe I know because I'm still stuck in such a situation on one of my router tables. The spring of a plunge router, the one that makes it rise automatically, is a real hassle when used with a table. If you are going to fix it permanently then I would suggest you remove the spring.

Jessie's pictures are missing now so I don't exactly know what knobs your are referring to or what they are for. On my fence I used carriage bolts with wing nuts. Wing nuts are not really hard to find.

My first table used 1/4" (maybe) plexiglass and it did serve me well for many years. I still keep it though I've taken to using the two other GMC tables I ended up with. I'll admit there are times when I wished I'd been using the other one. Anyway, just so you don't make the same mistakes I did let me mention them. Make the plate as small as possible. If too big, the plate will sag. Consider how you are going to clamp the fence. The edge of my table was a bit narrow to fit clamps.

Have fun.

Re: router table mounting plate

@ Incc63:

Hi! Sorry bro if I have gotten into your post only now. Medyo masama ang katawan ko these past few days (my diabetes is acting up again). I don not have a fixed base router only a plunge router. I am thinking of removing the tension spring of the router to make the depth adjustment a bit easier. Maybe that 1/2" Ozito plunge router will be used mounted at the table and my Makita with a 1/4" collet for hand routing. Yeah, right now I am using wing nuts and carriage bolts for the router table.

Thanks and regards. Cheers!

Re: router table mounting plate

@jessie2 -- if it's not too much to ask, can we have a look at your table's pics again... thanks.
or anybody else's router table (with or without plate/lift) pics would be appreciated.
tia.

Re: router table mounting plate

if your going to build a router table, table saw or anuthing that needs a true & flat surface, i recommend using "PHENOLIC board" ( pibra for some )

Re: router table mounting plate

ok... let me clear something out first, "pibra" is the local term for it, is it?
any recommended shops to buy these phenolic board? TIA.