How to Make a Router Table Part 1 of 2

 Description:

A few weeks ago I designed this router table in SketchUp and today I’m bringing this design to life. This week I’m going to be building the lower half of the router table and next week I’ll add the top and build the fence. I started by cutting all my wood to the dimensions I listed in the cut list below. Then i assembled the 2×4’s to make the frame for the router table. I like to use wood glue and screws to get a nice tight joint on all my 2×4’s pieces. Next, I constructed the cabinet section using 3/4″ plywood and pocket hole screws. If you don’t have a pocket hole jig, you can use 1 5/8″ screws and wood glue to assemble the cabinet. Once my cabinet was constructed, I attached it to the 2×4 frame and added the front doors. Tune in next week to see me finish the table!

Shopping List:

4- 2×4’s at 8′ Long (Frame)

1- 4’x8′ Sheet of 3/4″ Thick Plywood (Plywood can be cut down to 2’x4′ sections if needed for transportation)

1- 2’x8′ Sheet of 3/4″ Thick Melamine (Melamine can be cut down to 2’x4′ sections if need for transportation)

1- 2’x4′ Sheet of 1/4″ Thick Whiteboard (Used for Router Bit Insert Plates)

1- Box of 3″ Wood Screws

1- Box of 1 5/8″ Wood Screws

2- Handles

4- 1/4″ Bolts at 2.5″ Long (For the front face of the fence)

4- 1/4″ Wing Nuts

8- 1/4″ Washers

2- 5/16″ Bolts at 4″ Long (For the clamps on the each side of the fence)

2- 5/16″ Wing Nuts (If possible, knobs would work better)

4- 5/16″ Washers

1- Large Power Switch (Allows you to easily turn the router on/off)

1- Bottle of Wood Glue (Titebond II)

Cut List:

2- 2×4’s at 14″ Long (Side Rails)

2- 2×4’s at 24″ Long (Feet)

2- 2×4’s at 33″ Long (Front and Back Rails)

4- 2×4’s at 35.5″ Long (Legs)

2- 5.75″x5.75″ Pieces of 3/4″ Piece of 3/4″ Thick Plywood (Once you have two squares, cut them diagonally to get 4 triangles for the fence support)

1- 5.75″x40″ Piece of 3/4″ Thick Plywood (Bottom of Fence)

1- 6″x40″ Piece of 3/4″ Thick Plywood (Front of Fence)

2- 10.5″x12.5″ Pieces of 3/4″ Thick Plywood (Sides of Cabinet)

2- 12×13.5″ Pieces of 3/4″ Thick Plywood (Cabinet Doors)

1- 12″x27″ Piece of 3/4″ Thick Plywood (Back of Cabinet)

2- 12.5″x27″ Pieces of 3/4″ Thick Plywood (Top and Bottom of Cabinet)

1- 24″x37″ Piece of 3/4″ Thick Plywood (Second Layer of Table Top)

1- 24″x37″ Piece of 3/4″ Thick Melamine (Top Layer of Table Top)

1- 3″x40″ Piece of 3/4″ Thick Melamine (Front of Fence – Top Half)

2- 3″x20″ Pieces of 3/4″ Thick Melamine (Front of Fence – Sliding Bottom Halves)

4- 7″x7″ Sheets of 1/4″ Thick Whiteboard (Used for the Insert Plates – Cut various sized holes in the center to accommodate different router bits)