Hi all,
My first post. Please forgive the ignorance! I am a beginner/intermediate woodworker. I have built several cabinets (TV lift for my bedroom, a stand for my mini lathe and a cabinet for dust extraction and support for my cheap tablesaw) and 4 workbenches (2x4 frames screwed together with 3/4 chipboard and an old door for the bench top). In as much as they work great for their purpose I think that I am overdoing it in the materials. 3/4 ply or MDF and 2x4 for the lathe stand. The items end up very sturdy and weigh a ton!
I am now looking to build a cabinet to replace the metal frame and legs which my router table (axminster with a lift) sits on. Even with the vacuum hose connected to the fence, I get a lot of chips/dust on the floor. Since the table is attached to the metal frame by only four screws from underneath, I figured that I could build a cabinet with a closed compartment with a V shape inside connecting to chip extractor (same design as my tablesaw cabinet). I have no problem designing the thing (dimensions etc) but I would love some advice on which materials to use. In general, when one builds a cabinet, how do you chose the thickness of the sides and the frame. Where does the strength come from? The actual panels which make up the sides or the frame itself? I was thinking of using 2x1 for the frame, 1/2 plywood for the sides and adding a 1/2 divider to close the router in about half way down the frame. I would then make a 100mm hole on the side and 2 pieces of wood at 45 degrees to guide the dust out. The remaining space at the bottom would be used to make a couple of drawers for router bits and bobs (on bottom runners). I would like to add some castor wheels to the bottom to move the cabinet around. For added strength I was going to use dados on the side panels to support the shelf (which is not weight bearing at all). Basically, what is the MINIMUM material size which would provide the strength and support for the router table?
I have read quite a few books on cabinet construction but most deal with design, stiles and rails, joinery and hardware. Did not find any actual discussion on material choice for purpose.
I would appreciate any comments and/or references to reading material.
Thanks,
D
My first post. Please forgive the ignorance! I am a beginner/intermediate woodworker. I have built several cabinets (TV lift for my bedroom, a stand for my mini lathe and a cabinet for dust extraction and support for my cheap tablesaw) and 4 workbenches (2x4 frames screwed together with 3/4 chipboard and an old door for the bench top). In as much as they work great for their purpose I think that I am overdoing it in the materials. 3/4 ply or MDF and 2x4 for the lathe stand. The items end up very sturdy and weigh a ton!
I am now looking to build a cabinet to replace the metal frame and legs which my router table (axminster with a lift) sits on. Even with the vacuum hose connected to the fence, I get a lot of chips/dust on the floor. Since the table is attached to the metal frame by only four screws from underneath, I figured that I could build a cabinet with a closed compartment with a V shape inside connecting to chip extractor (same design as my tablesaw cabinet). I have no problem designing the thing (dimensions etc) but I would love some advice on which materials to use. In general, when one builds a cabinet, how do you chose the thickness of the sides and the frame. Where does the strength come from? The actual panels which make up the sides or the frame itself? I was thinking of using 2x1 for the frame, 1/2 plywood for the sides and adding a 1/2 divider to close the router in about half way down the frame. I would then make a 100mm hole on the side and 2 pieces of wood at 45 degrees to guide the dust out. The remaining space at the bottom would be used to make a couple of drawers for router bits and bobs (on bottom runners). I would like to add some castor wheels to the bottom to move the cabinet around. For added strength I was going to use dados on the side panels to support the shelf (which is not weight bearing at all). Basically, what is the MINIMUM material size which would provide the strength and support for the router table?
I have read quite a few books on cabinet construction but most deal with design, stiles and rails, joinery and hardware. Did not find any actual discussion on material choice for purpose.
I would appreciate any comments and/or references to reading material.
Thanks,
D