I’m changing router table tops and need some help on the size of the through slots for the router table fence (had 5/16″ parallel slots on the old one). I would like to use parallel through slots for the fence as before, but I noticed that Rockler and Woodpeck fences have countersunk slots on the bottom; can someone tell me what size those need to be on the bottom if I’m using 5/16″ t-bolts? I can’t find a picture online of the bottom of the table but I noticed at Rockler that they are not just straight through holes through the thickness of the table top.
Thanks for the info,
Brian
Replies
da slots, da slots
Are we in Vegas yet? ;-)
I routed mine in the bottom of the top section of the two-piece lamination, so the T-bolt would be captured between the two layers. I added a through hole at the back for dust removal, though.
The actual size of the head groove depends on which T-bolts you are using. The brass ones are heavier than the cad-plated ones. The head of the 5/16" brass ones measure 29/64 x 45/64 x almost 1/8" thick, so a 1/2" wide groove, 3/16" deep will keep it in place. The cad-plated ones measure 33/64 x 13/16 x 7/64 thick, so you'd need a 9/16 or 5/8 wide groove.
Router Table Fence Slots
Ok that helps; I also noticed there are large diameter holes at the back end of the slots - any idea what diameter those need to be on the top and bottom? I'm not sure why those holes are there if the t-slots are pushed up through the countersunk slots in the bottom? A lot of router tables on the market have them.
da holes
The holes need to be large enough for the entire bolt head (e.g. the long side plus some wiggle room), or larger for dust removal. I think I made mine 1".
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