Router Table Design

Earlier this week, I did say that I was going to buy a sheet of 18mm MDF today for the floor-standing router table I was going to begin building this weekend…

Well, I haven’t been able to get as much done on the design-front and, until I’m more certain of the finished dimensions of some of the components, I’m a little cautious of ordering a sheet and having it cut to size – to fit in the back of my van and also, to make life a bit easier handling it at the workshop.

Still, I’d like to share where my design is in its current state, after a brief moment of play in Google SketchUp last night.

Building the TS/RT Station

I’ve been off work for the past week (using up some, but not all, of my outstanding holiday) and, last weekend, after buying a sheet of 18mm ply on the Friday, I decided I would try to make the most of these five-days with some time in the workshop, constructing the base cabinet for my table saw/router table station. At the time of writing this, I have most of the work done but, there’s still much to do and I feel that I could’ve organised my time and made better progress (ie. finishing the whole thing earlier in the week).

Working with two half-sheets (4ft x 4ft) was quite easy, especially once setup on my knock-down cutting table on my saw horses. I don’t know how I ever managed without one before! One the larger cuts were made (for the base and both sides), I could bring the leftovers in to the workshop and make the narrower rips on my table saw.

Back Online!

It’s exactly three-weeks to the day since my last post. After moving house and starting a new job though, I’m finally settling in to my new home and, most importantly today, I’m back online with an internet connection! You see, without a landline (it’s a very rural area!), good old ADSL just isn’t an option and, although I have had a satellite dish installed (only for Freesat and for the local news, instead of Welsh!), those broadband packages start at £25 per month, plus the cost of a special modem, which isn’t cheap! Also, there’s a great divide of opinion on the ‘net as to how reliable satellite broadband actually ease (a quick Google search reveals many negative comments). So, while I know mobile broadband is going to have its own issues, it remains to be the most affordable option I have available.

Lift-Top Table Mechanism

Completely out of the blue on Friday, I received an e-mail from Suzi at the Great British Woodshop (many UK-based readers may remember this popular woodworking show from a few years ago now). You see, a couple of years ago, I purchased one of their DVDs on an intriguing Coffee Table project, where a mechanism was used to raise the height of the table top up to a comfortable for eating in the living room – ideal for all the couch potatoes, out there! 😉

Lift-Top Coffee Table from the Great British Woodshop.