Wood Rat mounting advice?

[Anonymous]

OK, I went and joined the dark side and ordered the Rat. Should be with me on Friday

So, please can you offer any advice on how to mount it, what to look for, how to set up dust extraction etc. etc. etc.

Oh, and details of the jigs/accesories you use?

Thanks

 

[Philly]

Hi Mate
Welcome aboard! :wink:
Here's my review of the Littlerat showing my mounting thingy and also a picture of the flat poly pipe I use for dust extraction (it's the tumble dryer type-they even sell a converter at B+Q which ends in a round 100mm-nice!)
http://www.philsville.co.uk/littlerat.htm

Hope this helps
Philly

 

[Anonymous]

Mate, I'm not sure if you've noticed this but your router keeps morphing between a Bosch and a B&Q PP! Where is the Festool or Dewalt???

I am truly shocked that the Gloatmeister has a B&Q router. How can this be :shock: :shock: (unwanted gift from a kind aunt?)


I like the idea of mounting it near a corner. I'm not really sure where to mount mine and space is pretty tight.
Definitley need to visit B&Q tomorrow and pick up some of that piping as it looks just the job :wink:

 

[Philly]

Yeah the piping works a treat. I leave the opposite end of the Rat un-plugged to allow full air flow through the beast (if that makes sense)
I use a De-Walt on the Rat now-they were early photo's. I not a tool snob though, I 'll use anything. Even B+Q stuff. Honest :wink:
Cheers
Philly

 

[SketchUp Guru]

Here's what I did.

First I started with a bit of PVC pipe, a tee and an elbow.

Then I built a box around it like so.

The box is slightly taller than the Rat. The top of the tee is flush with the top edges of the box.

I fitted a couple of plugs (green) into the back of the extrusion, one either side of the dust opening in the Rat and a little ramp (blue) to direct all the dust into the tee.

I installed hooks on the front to hold the Rat and a top with an opening cut for the smaller diameter pipe.

The Rat is set so it is about 1/8" above the top of the top panel of the box. This helps to keep stuff from rolling off the box. The smaller diameter pipe receives a piece of flexible hose that can be positioned as needed when the main DC opening isn't effective. When not in use it gets a cap dropped over it to block the flow.

What isn't shown here is that I took a short length of 4" DC hose (8" or so) and clamped it to the bottom opening on the tee and installed a blast gate so my quick connect on the DC hose would fit easily.

The top was left off the box until it was mounted to the wall with lag screws into the studs. Then the top was put on witha a few screws. I put plastic packing tape on the underside of the top in way of the tee. Then I applied a bead of silicone sealant to the top edge of the tee and pet the lid down. The silicone forms a nice gasket but won't stick to the packing tape so the lid can be removed easily.

I didn't bother with the storage area but you could simply leave off the left end of the top or make it into a lid that slides or hinges out of the way.

Happy ratting.

 

[stewart]

Hope you enjoy your 'rat, Tony.

Dave's idea of the extra take off for the dust extraction is a nice refinement. If you're feeding a length under the plate to cut a slot in it rather than a profile, then you can position the 2" flexible hose to collect the dust that otherwise gets flung out the end. I think Alf posted a picture of this type of cut in one of your other threads about the 'rat.

Of course, you will have to use the brush to support the piece :wink:

On a more serious note I've been thinking (no doubt dangerous, and erroneously in all probability) that the fact that the workpiece passes under the plate is safer than passing it over the top on a router table. If the wood does get flung somewhere or pulled then your hands are more likely to fall out of the way?? Gravity in action???? Whereas on a table they're more likely to be pulled into the cutter. Am i talking from somewhere I shouldn't be talking from?? Also, on the 'rat when the brush is placed under the cutter you should be protected from the cutter.

Sorry for the ramble, will stop now. been a long day

Cheers
Stewart

 

[Anonymous]

I like that a lot Dave. Particularly clear with the SU images.

Thanks for taking the time and effort to draw and post.

Do you consider the extra distance from the wall an advantage?

 

[SketchUp Guru]

Tony, it was my pleasure. I do like the extra space. It is only about 5.5" but I think the light is better now and I like the extra horizontal surface for laying stuff on while I'm working the Rat.

 

[nickson71]

my mount is very simular to Dave R's ............. (thanks for the ideas Dave!)........


I made mine very deep then added brace out the back and front so I could mount it in a workmate .... not ideal but it's got it working... I'll redo the mount once I've built my workshop (next job)

 

[RogerS]

Tony, it was my pleasure. I do like the extra space. It is only about 5.5" but I think the light is better now and I like the extra horizontal surface for laying stuff on while I'm working the Rat.

I'm with Dave on this as well. I inherited a similar mount when I got my Rat and find the extra distance/storage/extraction invaluable.

Mount it high. You might want to think about a wee bit of storage on the wall immediately behind it for all the bits and bobs...also I fixed a bit of drymarker board for odd notes/measurements/jottings.

Oh..and a small light helps...and I've also been playing around with one of those laser thingies.

 

[Alf]

Extra depth is nice; mine is on a manky old bit of 8x2 - which is all I had available at the time - and it does make you feel a bit like the naughty school kid made to stand facing the wall. Not that I ever had any experience of that... O My extraction is a bit of pipe along the back of the extrusion and a rag stuffed in the other end. My defence is I've had it so long that was the suggested means of hanging/extracting at the time. One day I may do something about it... :^o Mind you new 'Ratters these days do seem to agonise over the set-up something terrible. :roll: :lol:

Cheers, Alf

 

[Nick W]

I like the idea of mounting it near a corner.

I would say that is NOT a good idea unless you will only ever work with short pieces of stock. I would urge you to put it in the middle of the longest clear bit of wall you have.

If you ever plan to put tenons on the end of long stock it needs to be as high as possible, and preferably over a deep pit. :shock:

 

[Anonymous]

Started to build the mount today now that I am allowed back in the shop.

It will be a mix of Philly's and Dave's with rectangualr section pipe and a box with storage for bits etc.

Whilst in the workshop, WoodRat phoned and left a message saying they needed to talk to me and I didn't hear it until 7.30pm :roll: I guess it won't be arriving tomorrow now

 

[Alf]

Whilst in the workshop, WoodRat phoned and left a message saying they needed to talk to me and I didn't hear it until 7.30pm :roll: I guess it won't be arriving tomorrow now

Oooo, maybe the background check revealed you weren't a worthy candidate to be a 'Ratter... 8-[ :wink: How's the hand after the unaccustomed w'shop time?

Cheers, Alf

 

[Anonymous]

Whilst in the workshop, WoodRat phoned and left a message saying they needed to talk to me and I didn't hear it until 7.30pm :roll: I guess it won't be arriving tomorrow now

Oooo, maybe the background check revealed you weren't a worthy candidate to be a 'Ratter... 8-[ :wink: How's the hand after the unaccustomed w'shop time?

Cheers, Alf

Goos news, turns out there was some (undisclosed) problem which was resolved. It was shipped yesterday as was the new router for it. Bank holiday today though so will they deliver? :-k

Hand is bearing up well thanks, little sore but nothing to stop more play today. The glove does a great job of protection even if it limits movement etc. :roll:

 

[Philly]

as was the new router for it

What did you order???
CuriousPhilly

 

[Johnboy]

Might be a bit late now but this is how mine is mounted. For dust extraction I just fitted a piece of wood over the end of the ali extrusion with a hole in it for my vac. Works fine and no mucking about with plastic pipes etc. The stand above for the manual is also very handy when you are learning the multitude of things the 'rat can be used for.

Hope the hand is OK and take it easy.

John

 

[RogerS]

as was the new router for it

What did you order???
CuriousPhilly

Bet it's a Trend :wink:

 

[Anonymous]

as was the new router for it

What did you order???
CuriousPhilly

After a bit of searching around, there seemed only one logical choice for the Rat - DW625 (same as Trend T10 but cheaper Roger :wink: )

I think this is the popular ckoice ofr ratters?

They are reduced in price now as a replacement has appeared on the market.

 

[Chris Knight]

Tony,

You will find the PC Eliminator chuck a great accessory to use with that router and the rat. It saves a lot of faffing about when changing bits and reduces the chance of dropping them onto the floor (where you will want a bit of carpet because it still happens occasionally!)