Challenge to Create the Ideal Router Table
We have seen a number of excellent home made router tables on this forum and there are probably many more around that have not surfaced yet.
With all these designs I am sure there are things that have worked well and there are bits that need to be changed to make it the ideal unit.
The idea which has been prompted by FAQ thread by SilentC is to create a list of must have features/specifications for a home made router table. Perhaps a list of ideas that didn't work would also be valuable. A one stop thread that answers all you wanted to know to build the ideal router table.
Table Size/height, materials, fences, routers, dust extraction.
Let us know of your experiences.
Details of Router Table Fence
My router table fence was built around a 75 x 50 mm Aluminium section offcut.
The subfences are made from MDF.
The Feather Board (from Carba-tec) now doubles as a blade guard (previously I used a perspex guard, see earlier pics).
The feather board slot was made from an aluminium molding offcut. It is screwed (so it can be removed, if necessary) onto the top. This slot also allows one to use a tall fence (e.g, for raised panels).
The mitre fence slot comes from Carba-tec.
Dust control is similar to the Triton system. The inside of the aluminium section is blocked off around the cutter (with pieces of jarrah). In practice this is sufficient. I did once made an enclosure for the router but found this unnecessary.
There are a few other "goodies" that I will add below (biscuit joiner, jointer).
I hope you find this useful.
Regards from Perth
Derek