Router Plate Mounting in Extension Table
I’ve just added long rails and an extension table to my TS, and now want to mount my Mastr-Lift router plate in the extension. The extension itself was commercially purchased — just your basic semi-torsion box construction from 3/4 ply laminated with what appears to be formica. Two questions:
I was considering gluing an additional 3/4″ thickness of plywood underneath the section where the router plate will mount for a little more support. Good idea, or unnecessary?
Is there any reason why the plate has to be mounted centered? If you’ll have a look at the attached GIF, is there any drawback to mounting the plate as indicated in the top image vs. the more traditional way depicted in the bottom image? I have easy access to both sides of the extension table, and like the idea of a shorter reach when I’m routing smaller pieces. Thoughts?
-M.
Replies
Adding ¾” just where the router mounts is not a bad idea since you’ll probably be removing material when making a ledge for the router insert.
There is no reason why the plate needs to be centered, locate it so that it is the most convenient for you. In your picture of the centered one this would seem to make the most sense if you operated the router from the end of the saw. In the other non-centered picture, it looks like you would operate it from the infeed side of the saw. If this is the case on the latter, you could move the place closer to the blade thus leaving yourself a little more room to operate the fence, whatever kind you will be using.
PMB
http://benchmark.20m.com
Thanks for the quick response Phil.
You're inferring correctly that my primary operating position would be from the infeed side of the table. Your suggestion is very good one. The width of the router plate combined with the uneven spacing of the crosspieces underneath the extension table constrains me to either the approximate spot depicted or to one all the way to the left (only about a foot from the blade). I went out to the shop this morning and marked the location of where the router bit itself would be for both locations so I could play with fence positions.
I'm a bit hesitant to mount the plate so close to the blade, only because that means that the router plate itself would be a supporting surface for a lot of routine TS cuts. I'm gonna have to go play with the setup some more before I decide.
Thanks again!
-M.
Mark,
A better approach would be to create a sub frame around the router plate opening on the bottom of the extension table. This can be made from either wood or metal. I have used both 1" angle iron and 1" box tubing for the custom router tables in my shop. The benefit to using the steel is the lack of any seasonal movement, its low profile which keeps it out of the way of any router mechanisms, and the ease of installation (butt joint the piece of metal together and attach it to the table top with sheet metal screws spaced every 1.5"). Another consideration is that if you use a full sub panel of plywood, you are restricting your ability to access the nuts and bolts that hold the extension table to the table saw's frame. If you ever need to work on/remove the table, there may be trouble in doing so.
See the enclosed graphic for the correct sub frame layout.
If you have any additional questions, please feel free to ask!
Dan Kornfeld, Owner/President - Odyssey Wood Design, Inc.
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