Thread: $25 + 3 hours router table build...

I've had a bosch router for 13 years. It's fairly small in terms of capacity, but I don't use it that much so it has been fine. I built a small router table to house this which was very basic.

When building stuff out of australian hardwoods I found the router really struggled. So, when the great GMC clearance occured through Grays online I was lucky enough to get a 1500w GMC for $50. At this price, it doesn't matter if it packs it in after a year.

It's a big unit and does not fit my new router table. At present, I'm halfway through building a bed for my son out of Jarrah. I've routered the bed ends using the supplied fence, which is next to useless due to flex and therefore my grooves are not as good as they should be. The good news is that the router has plenty of power and eats through the hardwood easily.

I therefore needed to build a new router table quickly and inexpensively.

1st stop was Bunnings for a $13.50 1200mm x 450mm x 19mm laminate.
2nd stop was Kmart for a $8 large chopping board.
3rd stop for miscellaneous fasteners

Step 1: Cut laminate in half using SCMS, glue and screw to give a 38mm board.
Step 2: Lay out router on cutting board. Chop to size again using SCMS (rather melts rather than cuts). Plane edges.
Step 3: Cut hole in middle of chopping board.
Step 4: Copy hole on to laminate and sketch out hole for router.
Step 5: Jigsaw hole for router in laminate.
Step 6: Set router to depth of chopping board. Rout recess for chopping board in laminate.
Step 7: Drill and countersink holes for chopping board to laminate.
Step 8: Drill and countersink holes in chopping board for router.
Step 9: Mount fence from old router table.

I then clamp this on my saw horses when I need it.

Job done. See - it's fairly easy to build a router table, the basis of which can then be upgraded later on if required!! I will probably put in a mitre track, which will increase the cost slightly in a few weeks.

Cheers,

Tom