Thread: Router Table Materials

David, suggest you do a search on Router Table, you'll get more info than you'll know how to cope with.

I recently completed my router table, specifically made for an Incra jig and I used laminated chipboard, 32mm thick, ex A&R Salvage in Broadmeadows.

http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com...902#post491902

There are some other links in that thread as well.

You can also go to your nearest benchtop fabricator and buy one of his OOPS! stock, they usually have a few mistakes kicking around the place.

Also have a look at this thread & the links in it.

BigShed,

Was it one complete 32mm thickness of veneered board or did you put two 16mms together, if 32 what dif the advertise it as?

It was 32mm thick, laminated both sides, benchtop material.

A&R sometimes has MDF, sometimes chipboard in 32mm panels in various sizes, give them a ring a see what they have at present.

Kastoria Furniture in Davies St, Sunshine is another good source. They also sell all sorts of MDF and laminted panels at very good prizes.

Another good place to try, and a bit closer to you, is Tile Importers in Oakleigh.

You probably won't find the thick stuff at you local hardware, you'll have to sniff out the places that make kitchens & beg some offcuts.

big Shed,
Are you spying on me?
How did you know I work in Oakleigh? LOL

Tile Importers is one place i didnt think about.

Whats the ideal size for a router table as my gmc is about 24" x 18:

Nah, just thought that Oakleigh has to be closer to Pakenham than Sunshine!

Asking for the "ideal" router table is like asking for the length of a piece of string, it all depends what you want to do with it. In general though, bigger is better.
My RT is 1350x800, but I would say use 900x600 as a "minimum".

I was thinking the bigger the better myself, as the gmc router table is only suitable for small work.

But you shouldn't have linked to the pics of your table - may have to come to bendigo and take it off yer when your not looking (LOL)

It makes me very envious as that is how I picture my ideal table but without the steel frame as my pockets have being emptied by SWMBO.


David

My table's 35mm particle-board. <p></p><p></p>An old office-door cut to my preferred size.<p></p><p></p>As a first attempt I kept it smaller than larger. <p></p>The door was laminated and I find it very smooth in use.<p></p><p></p>Look for the thread under "Yet Another Router Table".

All of the tops above will certainly work and work well - even though I'm not fussed on MDF. However, have you considered steel?

My portable router table is in fact 3mm gal steel - strong and flat - the "operating surface" is covered with a piece of laminex so no rust and quite slippery. I find the big advantage is that I lose virtually nil height/depth of cut. The router is clenched underneath by using 4 pieces of angle iron attached to captive screws through the top - perhaps not as easy as a plate but to change from table to hand held only takes me about 5 minutes - as I'm retired my time is my own - eventually I'll get another router and the Hitachi TR 12 will stay in the table.

Just a thought, regards,
Bob

I used a double-sink cutout from a laminated kitchen countertop. Filled their access cut from centre to edge with polyester resin and scraped flush. Centre punch-out didn't matter, cos that's where I put the router. I used a tough as **** piece of trashed plastic office chair mat for the router plate. Total cost, about a dollar or two for resin, T-nuts and bolts.

Joe

Just being to Tile Importers in Oakleigh (what a Place) purchased 32mm Veneered MDF 1800mm X 900mm $20.

One Problem Was my loading area in my 4x4 is 1780 x 900mm Really had to move drivers seat forward knees nearly under chin and for 6"2 guy its just about bearable just have to drive 57km home on the monash in rush hour.

All i need now is to find t track or sail track and the bolts to go with them then I can Start Building.

Big Shed, Really like to build one like your's -

G'day Djfoggin,

Click on the link for the blokes who are sponsoring this part of the Forum, they're great to deal with a very helpful.

Hi,

What ever you use, make sure it's perfectly FLAT, reinforced, and sealed with paint or varnish. If not, it will be useless.

Glen.