Thread: Router Table and Downdraft Table

I haven't attached it to the rails yet but when I make up the torsion box frame, I will do so. The front rail has a hole already but there's none on the back rail, so I'll have to drill one. The strips of hardwood sit on top of the rails, so technically it doesn't need to be fixed to the rails because gravity and the screws in the TS wing holds it in place but I think it would be better to fix it in place.

Silent,

Thanks. Just had another look at my saw table (Carba-tec, looks like and weighs same as yours, but not mobile), and see what you mean about need for a rigid frame. Does 'torsion', mean something like steel angle or perhaps more sophisticated?

Phil,

It's basically just a grid of light-weight timber that sits under the top. The idea is to stop the ply from flexing without adding too much weight to the whole thing.

If you wanted, you could make a freestanding table that slides into the gap between the rails and locks in place. This would take care of a lot of problems and still let you use the saw's fence plus the advantage of more table area for both the saw and the router. I chose not to do it that way because I wanted it to be easy to move around and not cost much (anything) to make.

This one just rests on top of the rails and is screwed to the tablesaw wing so that it wont move.

'Kay, thanks again,
P

hey SilentC how do you find the downdraft table, do you have any suggestions to improve on it or is it perfect as it is ?

Thanks

Well done on both counts Silent. Very neatly done. I particularly like the downdraft table idea. Good to hear that it works well. Another idea to incorporate with my dust system when I get around to it. At least Midge has done some of his.

To be honest it's not as good as I'd hoped. It works but the downdraft isn't as strong as I'd like. I think I need to try something different for the grill. The pegboard holes might be too small (don't let Midge see this). When I get time I might try something with larger holes to see if it makes a difference. I suppose it's better than NOT having one, put it that way.

On the upside, it works well as an outfeed table and it's handy having something on wheels like that when you are working on a cabinet or something - you can spin it around to get to all sides without having to move yourself and the tools you are using around it.

Originally Posted by silentC

To be honest it's not as good as I'd hoped. It works but the downdraft isn't as strong as I'd like. .

Hi Silent,

When I made mine, I also had peg-board sized holes (roughly 4mm, spaced some 20mm apart laterally & longitudinally. However, I found it necessary to rout some 'V' grooves between each hole, about 3mm deep to encourage air flow. Also, I hook mine up to a shop-vac rather than the D/E, and it works quite well indeed.

Hey Steve, do you have a link to the thread about the one you made?
meerkat would be interested I'm sure.

Thanks for the tip Steve. When I get time next year I'll try it out. Busy finishing my office and then it's sully season.

Originally Posted by Cliff Rogers

Hey Steve, do you have a link to the thread about the one you made?
meerkat would be interested I'm sure.

Hi Cliff,

There's a couple of pics here

Yeap, that is the one I was thinking off.