Router Tables 101

Students (and mere pretenders), raise your hand if you have a router table. Those of you who do not must stay after class and write, “I need a router table,” 100 times on the blackboard.

Who would have thought that turning a router upside-down could produce such an elegant and wondersome tool???? I am currently the proud owner of two router tables: one gets heavy use and the other rarely sees the light of day. This is because it is mounted on my table saw, where the saw fence gets top billing. I am now contemplating a third. I can hear many of you asking, “Why three router tables?”

Excellent question. Let’s review: Many times during the fabrication of furniture parts, multiple set-ups are not only utilitarian, but also necessary. Just set it, and forget it.
May I strongly encourage you to build your router tables, rather than buy them. My reasoning comes from the fact that a router table is a lesson in cabinetry. My new design will incorporate eight drawers, using heavy duty full-extension drawer slides and inset drawer faces. Rough dimensions are 42 to 45” wide, 24” deep, and 37.5” tall. The router table bed will be approximately 46 to 48” wide, able to gracefully support long and bulky pieces of stock. A virtual aircraft carrier. Therefore, a project which will perform two functions: tons of storage, and miles of elegant routing. I am not saying bigger is better. It must obviously fit into your shop.

When the beast is finished, I will report back on functionality. And possibly post some photos. Remember: Quality trumps speed. Take your time. Do it right. Comprende?