Thread: Building a Router Table

Hi Jill,

Oops haven't been looking at this section for a while have I

Overall I haven't had any problems with it. I 'plumbed' the 4" across to my dusty which is on the opposite corner of the shed.

I did notice last week-end that the chips weren't being collected inside the cabinet but realised that I had the blast gate (back of router table) fully closed and so all suction was going to the fence. I reckon the best balance is to open the blast gate around one third of the way to the cabinet.

Overall suction is pretty good. I'm not sure about the argument for smaller but there could be something in it. I used to use a vacuum cleaner arrangement with my previous (much smaller) table but would think that a vacuum cleaner just wouldn't cut the mustard for the fence / cabinet arrangement I have now. I think the Bill Pentz site mentions 5" is even better when using the average 2 -3 hp extractors but the argument starts getting too technical for me after that

Thanks Brett, this is valuable information.

I am looking to go with the 4inch hose, using the fitting that comes with the Carbatec MJ2325B table saw. This takes the 4inch hose, but also has a 1.5inch tee off for the fence hose.

regards,

Jill

Originally Posted by JillB

Thanks Brett, this is valuable information.

I am looking to go with the 4inch hose, using the fitting that comes with the Carbatec MJ2325B table saw. This takes the 4inch hose, but also has a 1.5inch tee off for the fence hose.

regards,

Jill

Not wanting to rain on your parade Jill - I have the MJ2325B table saw and find that the fitting you describe is marginal at best. I am looking at modifying mine by changing the pickup over the blade to a larger hose and changing the fitting you describe to a "Y" fitting made from PVC pipe - you can step down the 4" pipe to the pickup hose using available fittings. The 1.5" T fitting at 90 degrees to the main pipe appears to provide very little efficiency in suction. By all means give it a go if you wish - I'll be interested in your results.

Not sure as to what you are thinking of for connectors to your flex pipe but I can recommend the ones in the link - can't seem to just add a pix previously posted - hence the link.

https://www.woodworkforums.com/f11/co...27/#post264883

Regards,
Bob

Thanks for this information Bob. I will have to re-design. How does 2 x 2inch hoses sound, connected to the router fence and the router cabinet respectively, and connected back to a 4in hose from the dust extractor? Or are you using 4inch hoses all the way, joined by the Y piece?

I also use the the Tradelink clay pipe to 4in PVC pipe. Got them locally for about $7.50.

It is a really snug fit on an elbow or join. The only problem was I had to use a wire type clamp, not the radiator hose band type clamp, as I found the latter could allow the hose to slip off the clay pipe tapered end. The wire type clamp gave a much tighter fit

regards,
Jill

G'day Jill,

Apologies to Brett for a partial hijack of his great thread.

My comments re the fitting is in relation to my saw table. My router table only has 4" at the back of the fence and the router below is in the open - this works very efficiently on everything [edges/profiles etc] except for trenching. This I tend to roll my table out onto the slab outside the shed and then cleanup with the air hose.

The fence can be seen here - for some reason I can't seem to repost a previous uploaded pix from another thread hence the link

https://www.woodworkforums.com/f20/no...31/#post388291

With regards the saw table - I'm going to replace the fitting you are talking about with a "Y" and at this stage will use a 4" as the main straight through and either a 2" or 3" light irrigation hose to a clear blade guard which I still have to manufacture. The current setup on the MJ2325B using the fitting you have is not efficient at all and seems to spray more than it collects - the main fault appears to be the small hose as well as it meeting perpendicular to the main line. I'm using the "Y" set up underneath my radial arm saw and it appears to be far more efficient.

Hope it helps.
Bob

Just found this thread. This table has now seen a couple of summers and I was a bit worried given it is MDF lamination but it's still completely flat.

That's good news Brett. I remember us discussing the lamination of 1 vs 2 sides of the MDF.
Regards
Les