Build Benchtop Router Table
Build Benchtop Router Table
Introduction
The following free benchtop router table plans provide simple and detailed
instructions for building one of the most important tools for your
woodworking shop. If you prefer a free-standing router table, you will find
several links to those plans following our free plans shown below.
Our free DIY router table plans provide step by step instructions, detailed
parts diagrams, material cutout drawings, and a list of tools you will need.
Also included is a list of hardware you will need.
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Using a router without a router table is much like using a hand held electric
saw instead of a table saw. Both a table saw and a router table are
indispensable for those that are serious about woodworking.
This router table surface features a strip of Miter Gauge track to enable you
to use a miter gauge. You can also mount a feather board on it to ensure
your work piece remains flush against the fence.
This router table can be built for a fraction of the cost of ready made
router tables.
The top is 22" by 17" and it is about 14" high.
It is large enough to get the job done and takes only a small amount
storage space.
To change bits, you simply lift the router and mounting plate out, change
or adjust the bit, then set it back in place
Features a convenient bit holder under the table for your most
frequently used router bits.
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If Miter Gauge Track does not Apply wood glue to the bottom of
already have mounting holes in it, Front Top piece and position it on
drill and countersink holes in it for the SubTop so it is flush with the
1/2" #6 flat head screws. The front edge of the Miter Gauge Track
location of the screw holes in the as shown above.
Miter Gauge Track is not critical. Apply wood glue to the bottom of
Place the the Miter Gauge Track on Rear Top piece and position it on
the SubTop so it is 3 1/2" from the the SubTop so it is flush with the
front edge of the SubTop. Mark the rear edge of the Miter Gauge Track
locations for the screws and predrill as shown above.
the screw holes with a 1/8" drill bit. Secure the two Top pieces to the
Apply a coating of wood glue to the SubTop with clamps so they cannot
screw threads and secure it with move until the glue is dry.
1/2" #6 flat head wood screws as Tighten the clamps just tight
indicated by the red arrows in the enough to keep the pieces from
image above. MDF board does hold moving.
screws quite as well as wood and
the glue on the threads will make it
stronger.
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side. Secure it with 1 1/4" #8 wood of the Feet while tightening the
screws. pocket hole screws. The 1 3/8"
Next, place the Front Stiffener on width will ensure the Legs are
the SubTop so that it is against the centered between the edges of the
Rear Frame and centered side to Feet.
side. As with the Rear Stiffener, Place a Foot on a flat surface with
secure it with 1 1/4" #8 wood the countersunk side of the
screws. screw holes facing down. Place
the piece of scrap wood on one
edge of the foot as shown in the
image above. Ensure the edge of
the scrap wood piece is flush along
the edge of the Foot and securely
clamp it to the foot.
When the scrap piece is securely
clamped in place, position a Leg on
a Foot so it is centered on the Foot
from end to end.
When you're sure the Leg is
properly positioned in the center of
the Foot, secure it in place with 1
1/4" pocket holes screws,
(indicated by the red arrows), as
shown above.
Assemble the remaining Leg and
Foot the same way.
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Place the Router Top with Frame Apply glue to the mating surfaces
and other parts already attached and attach the Bit Holder Top to the
upside down as shown above. Sides with 1 1/2" finishing nails as
Attach the Legs to the Frame with shown in the top image above.
2" long 1/4" diameter bolts with Apply glue to the mating surfaces
washers, lock washers, and nuts as and position the Bit Holder Bottom
shown above. between the Sides and flush with
the bottom edges of the Sides as
shown in the bottom image above.
Secure with 1 1/2" finishing nails.
Turn the Bit Holder over repeat with
the other side.
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The top of the Router Table is made from three pieces of 1/2" thick
MDF board. After the proper cutouts are made, the two Top pieces
and SubTop will be glued together to form a 1" thick completed Top.
Note that Top Rear and Top Front sections will be separated by the
Miter Gauge Track during assembly.
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Now, cut a 22" by 17" piece of 1/2" Now, you will need to drill eight
MDF board for the SubTop. 1/8" diameter holes for the leveling
Cut out an opening in the SubTop screws as indicated by the the red
that is 1 1/2" smaller in height and arrows in the image above.
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1 1/2" smaller in width than the Each hole is 3/8" from the edge of
opening in the Top. This will the cutout.
provide a 3/4" wide flat surface to The four corner holes are 3/8" from
support the router plate on all four the corners of the cutout.
sides. The remaining four holes are
This opening is centered from side centered between the corners of
to side and is 6 1/2" from the front the cutout.
edge of the Top.
Again, the cutout dimensions in the
drawing above is based on a router
plate that is 8 1/4" by 11 3/4".
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The Front Stiffener is made from The Rear Stiffener is made from
3/4" wood. It is 15" long by 1 3/4" 3/4" wood. It is 15" long by 1 1/2"
wide. wide.
Drill three 3/16" diameter holes in Drill three 3/16" diameter holes in
the Front Stiffener as indicated by the Rear Stiffener as indicated by
the red arrows. The holes are the red arrows. The holes are
placed 1" from each end and one in placed 1" from each end and one in
the middle. All holes are centered the middle. All holes are centered
from top to bottom. from top to bottom.
Legs Feet
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You will need two Bit Holder Sides. The nine smaller holes at the
The Bit Holder Sides are made of bottom are for 1/4" shank router
3/4" thick wood and are 15" long by bits. Again these holes should also
1 1/4" wide. be slightly larger than 1/4" diameter
so the bits are easy to remove and
replace. A 5/16" diameter bit would
be a good choice.
The 1/4" bit holes are 1 1/4" from
the bottom, 1 1/2" from each end
and 1 1/2" apart.
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When you are finished building your router table, we also have free plans for
a router table fence that is designed specifically for this router table. Click
the link below for our free fence plans.
T-Track on the top surface allows you to use T-Track Stop Clamps and
other attachments you may need to use on the top of the fence.
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Thanks and have a great day!
Bob and Kathy Reedy webmaster and owners of BobsPlans.com
Copyright Notice
We hope you enjoy the free woodworking plans offered on this site. You are
invited to download or print any of the plans free of charge for your own use.
Please be aware that the plans are copyrighted and may not be distributed
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Please note that there is no PDF file for these Router Table plans. You can
either view these plans in your shop with your phone or mobile device or print a
paper copy of this web page with your printer.
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(Click Here)
(Click Here)
(Click Here)
Woodsmith Plans calls
Woodsmith Plans offers Ana White has a free
this the "Ultimate
plans for this Router router table plan,
Router Table" and I
Table Wall Cabinet that designed by Patrick,
must say that it
functions as a top- that shows you how to
certainly looks
notch router table with build this great looking
impressive.
a way to store all of router table.
This router table has
your accessories. It features a large top
lots of storage, a dust
When you need to use with a miter gauge
collection system, and
this router table, it is track and four storage
a micro-adjust fence.
folds out like a Murphy drawers which are all
The large, thick top is
bed. When you are on metal drawer glides.
equipped with a miter
finished with it, just It also features 3 inch
track for holding jigs
fold it back up and it lockable casters, a
and other accessories.
only takes up it takes convenient shutoff
The fence slides in a T-
up less than three switch, and a great
track and has a micro-
square feet of floor looking fence.
adjust feature for
space. This free router table
precision cuts. The
It is constructed of plan includes
fence also plays a key
plywood and involves dimensions, materials,
part in the built-in dust
straightforward joinery a tools list, a cut list,
collection system.
so you should be able general instructions,
The casters make it
to complete it in a diagrams, color photos,
easy to move around
weekend. The plans and tips from those
your shop. Finally, it's
include pages of step- who have used the
made from inexpensive
by-step instructions, plan. It's an
MDF, so this router
lots of full-color intermediate-level build
table won't cost you
illustrations, cutting that will take you a
much to build.
diagram and materials weekend or two to
Build the Ultimate Router Table build.
(Woodsmith Plans) list.
Patrick's Router Table Plans
Router Table Wall Cabinet
(Woodsmith Plans) (Ana White)
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(Click Here) (Click Here)
This router table
A Manufactured router features an excellent Here are step by step
table may well cost dust collection system plans for building a
over $1000.00 but you with vacuum ports in great looking full size
can saves hundreds by both the cabinet and router table with a
building your own. This fence to provide large work surface and
router table is easy to suction both above and sturdy wooden frame.
build, easy to use, and below the router bit. The upper finished
costs only a fraction of measurements of the
the cost of a More features include stand are 20-3/8 inches
manufactured one. super flat MDF work x 26-1/2 inches.
With these free DIY surfaces and a large Lots of us woodworkers
plans, you can build storage drawer for all consider mobility to be
your own simple and your routers and an important feature.
inexpensive router accessories in one This router table is
table that will function convenient place. mounted on wheels and
as well as those that Door-mounted bit may be moved about
cost much, much more. holders provide the shop as needed.
This design features an organized router bit Detailed instructions
attractive stand, a storage. The sliding are provided for
large work surface, a fence faces open up to making and assembling
long and easily 3 in. wide and a pair of the necessary parts.
adjustable fence with a clamps quickly locks Video Instructions are
vacuum hose port, and the fence in position. also available.
a tilt top that makes it DIY Router Table
easy to adjust the bit This table will last for (DOWELMAX)
height. years and provides
$100 Router Table most of the features
(Popular Woodworking) found on high priced
manufactured models.
Simple Router Table Plans
(Family Handyman)
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