robinson46176
03-19-2009, 09:25 PM
I have owned about 4 different fairly low cost router tables and didn't really like any of them and sold them. I've decided that I want a simple top set-up like the Router Workshop guys use except I want to make it longer and have mounts for two routers in the same top. I don't even want a table slot.
I was looking amongst my saved goodies in several sheds for a good base that would suit me. I decided that I want it to be adjustable in height as well. I looked at several machine bases that I had picked up and some I don't even remember where I got them. :rolleyes: I was back in the shop and while I was leaning on my 510 drinking water I got to looking at the mini I am still working on. Hey, that might work... The more I looked the better I liked the idea. By the time I got done drinking that bottle of water and leaning I think I had it pretty well planned out.
Keep in mind I have a dozen SS's in parts in another building so I don't have to go buy anything to speak of. I can make up a set of legs with a caster set using approximately 1/2 length lower tubes but no upper way tubes or tie-bar or headrest lock. I have several extra extension tables and it I can use two of them and sturdily attach my top to them. I might even not use the actual extension tables but just use the support tubes and upper mounts. Those are quite strong. I can make that decision later. I was thinking that I might need to stabilize the pivot end but I don't believe that will be necessary. The top will be quite solid and so will its attachments to the extension table brackets. I believe that as long as the extension table support tubes are held tightly by the end locks that there is no way that the pivot end can pivot and make it flex. I would also use some stop collars from extra tailstocks etc. on the support tubes. By leaving out the upper tubes I will have a lot more router space and room to get to everything easy under the table. I have no fear of it not being strong enough without them.
I'm getting a little excited about the concept. It should look right at home with the SS's. Now I need to sort out the table raiser. Maybe a scissor jack? Lots of options there. I had originally planned on just making a router table that would sit on one of the SS's main table and one extension table with the router sitting in the open space between them but I don''t really want something that I have to install and remove all of the time so I can use the SS for something else.
I was looking amongst my saved goodies in several sheds for a good base that would suit me. I decided that I want it to be adjustable in height as well. I looked at several machine bases that I had picked up and some I don't even remember where I got them. :rolleyes: I was back in the shop and while I was leaning on my 510 drinking water I got to looking at the mini I am still working on. Hey, that might work... The more I looked the better I liked the idea. By the time I got done drinking that bottle of water and leaning I think I had it pretty well planned out.
Keep in mind I have a dozen SS's in parts in another building so I don't have to go buy anything to speak of. I can make up a set of legs with a caster set using approximately 1/2 length lower tubes but no upper way tubes or tie-bar or headrest lock. I have several extra extension tables and it I can use two of them and sturdily attach my top to them. I might even not use the actual extension tables but just use the support tubes and upper mounts. Those are quite strong. I can make that decision later. I was thinking that I might need to stabilize the pivot end but I don't believe that will be necessary. The top will be quite solid and so will its attachments to the extension table brackets. I believe that as long as the extension table support tubes are held tightly by the end locks that there is no way that the pivot end can pivot and make it flex. I would also use some stop collars from extra tailstocks etc. on the support tubes. By leaving out the upper tubes I will have a lot more router space and room to get to everything easy under the table. I have no fear of it not being strong enough without them.
I'm getting a little excited about the concept. It should look right at home with the SS's. Now I need to sort out the table raiser. Maybe a scissor jack? Lots of options there. I had originally planned on just making a router table that would sit on one of the SS's main table and one extension table with the router sitting in the open space between them but I don''t really want something that I have to install and remove all of the time so I can use the SS for something else.