OTW

The web site is up and working. I have sent out five sets of plans this week. The Operating Manual is online on the site and you may want to look at some of the applications of the HRT. There are a few You Tube videos (just a start and rough now). I have begun to add projects with downloadable SketchUp models.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

I made a stand with a cutout in the rest that accomodates the iPad's charging connector. If I can figure out how to post the SketchUp model and perhaps pictures it is to be shared.

FINALLY! The Plans and Manual are available..

After 18 months of work, lawyers' advice on liability, etc. and much help from the venerable Dave Richards, last week we got the web site up to order the plans and manual. Our approach is to generate a community of users that will share ideas for improvements and applications. It is still very much a work in progress (my first such attempt). We are developing videos, projects, etc. Please vist the site to obtain plans, operating manual, projects (SketchUp), etc. There is a Forum as well..

www.HRTProject.com

Status Report: I had no idea that it would take so long to put all of this together and can only apologize for the wait.

The PDF of the Plans which includes the drawings and detailed instruction, parts list and sources is done! I have nearly finished the Operating Manual and have set up a web site for all of this. The Operating Manual contains illustrations and instructions for a variety of applications including: edge trimming, raised panel, rabbets, round over, edge beading and restoration beading, bead board, sliding dovetails, stopped chamfers,...
Surely we can deliver the goods in a few weeks (I know I said that before).

I have finsihed the Buillding Instructions (text) and am working with Dave Richards to complete the illustrations. He is putting this together as a PDF document and it is looking good. We are also working on an Operating Manual and a web site to have animations, still shots, and videos. I plan to make all of this available as "donation ware" so that you can download and only make a contribution to the project if you feel it worthy.
It has taken much more time and effort to put all of this together than it did to build it. I have discovered more uses for it and they will be illustrated in the site.

Thank all of you for your interest and patience!

Thanks for your patience. I am working with Dave Richards, of Design.Click.Build fame, on finalizing the illustrations and documentation. I have written the work table section of the bulding instructions with a few more items to add (part list with catalog #s)and Dave is preparing the illustrations. The instructions for the HRT itself are more complex but should flow well no that we have a system and the SketchUp model is complete. There is also to be a users manual. I am hoping that we are a few weeks away.

In reply to GoneThinking2,

We are almost done with the plans with the help of a most venerable SketchUP guru and contributor to blogs. As soon as I have a solid timeline on the project I will post it. Thanks to all for their interest.

I purchased the pluggin, followed the instructions from Wudworx including moving the files to the main plugins folder and using preferences to enable the extension, and got Plugins on the menu bar but could not get to this plugin. I noticed from the Help Center that I am not alone in having difficulties with accessing plugins. How do I launch it?

In reply to Natick64, thanks for your patience. I think that we are about 80% done with the drawings themselves. From these models in SketchUp will come the detail drawings of the component parts and I will develop a manual on construction (what I have learned, in case anyone needs it), set up, and parts list. I may check with Rockler to see if they would be interested in making a kit. I also want to complete a users' manual covering what I have learned from actually using the HRT, as I call it.

Thanks for the interest. I am still working with SketchUp and making progress on the plans. I will post follow ups here and respond to questions/comments as well.

The HRT (horizontal router table) is back home now. I have begun work on a set of plans (SketchUp) and a manual. This will take a bit as I am new to SketchUp but do have a resource. I have a link to an earlier homemade video which does show one of the dust guards in place (though we remove it to show the cuts). Hope to have a link, etc. soon for plans.
The video link is:

http://gallery.me.com/danny.byrd/100527

In response to LouieLovas: You can set the stops (X and Y axes) to lock the router in one place, usually with the bit within the notch on the work table, and move the workpiece across the table to make longer cuts. There is a down- drafting dust port located beneath the notch for this purpose and I have been using a baffle to keep stray dust out of the bearing slides. I looked into linear bearings but they add substantial $$ whereas Rockler has these slides for about $9 each and could replace them. I have not used it for very long and I may yet discover the dust problem.

A few replies: (1) I too was concerned that dust would foul the ball bearing drawer glides but, if you use the dust collection ports (one drafts down from the notch in the work table and the other is supported above the bit and has an integrated plexiglass guard-these are not shown on the video) they seem to keep the glides clean. I also have been using a baffle (also not shown) that protects them as well. Finally, I still periodically blow the dust that does find its way there (other sources in my shop) with my air hose. (2) Moving the router feels more natural than moving the work piece and I think it is safer than hands approaching a spinning bit. It is also easier to make repetitive cuts. Also, not shown, making tenons on long pieces is less difficult if the router moves. (3) I have not seen Mathias Wandel's You Tube clip but will check it out.
I think that a set of plans with construction details and an operating manual would answer a lot of your questions. I also have a home made video/power point presentation that may be of interest. Thanks again. I have never "blogged" before.

Thanks for the comments. I will try to log in frequently to answer questions and hopefully have plans available soon.