Router table insert

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Hi,

I'm a newbie, delurking for the first time, so forgive me if my question seems trivial!

I'm just getting into wood (well, not literally into it....I'm not a worm!), this after I bought a router in the Xmas sales from B&Q. Anyway, to complement this I've also got a nice shiny new Perform table saw at home waiting to be assembled :D and a router table insert also bought from Axminster.

Well, the question relates to the table insert. I plan to build a router table out of MDF, but the table insert came with no instructions whatsoever. I understand how to go about making the rebate for the insert, but how do I know what thickness of MDF I need? Is 19mm enough, or do I need to source 25mm, or laminate two pieces together? The insert is 9.5mm thickfrom recollection.

Secondly, how do I go about getting the holes in the right place to attach the insert to my router?

Finally, do I need to use formica/melanine on the surface (and reverse) of the table, or is there some other finsish I can use.

I've tried searching the web, and found a few resource about router tables, as well as the artice in the current woodworker and woodturning mag. But none seem to address my precise questions.

Thanks

Ian
 
Welcome to the forum Ian,

I'm sure some of the router table gurus will be along shortly, in the meantime, can I suggest a few links -

James did a good router table <click here>

[Link removed until I've checked SDA site is clear of it's virus - thanks Noel]

And some stuff here:

https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=4130

CHJ's stuff here:

https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=4216

Wakas amazing bench (day 2)

https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=4229

Or some more info here:

https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=3614

Adam
 
Adam, did you forget mine :cry: :wink:

https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=3990&highlight=table

Ian

I used 2 pieces of 19mm MDF glued and screwed together for absolute rigidity and, ahem, adequate weight to stop it moving around.

To mark the holes, I measured the pitch diameter of the tapped holes in the router and then measured the angles from a datum. I made a cardboard template and checked that this fitted the router nicely before using it to mark holes in the plate

My original top used just MDF with 5 coats of polyurethane

https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=3783&highlight=router+table

and worked pretty well. In fact, I only changed to the laminated MDF as I got it for free from work when we threw out some worktops

https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=3725&highlight=router+table
 
Welcome to the forum, Ian.

Some details of my table build here and here

Tony, we can't rely on Adam at all, can we? :wink: :p :lol:

Cheers,
Neil
 
Thank you guys for such a warm welcome.

The Wealden site is just what I was looking for. So it looks like I can get away with a small table of 19mm MDF for starters, varnished. I can always build a larger top if needed later!

Cheers

Ian
 
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