How to Turn a Regular Table into a Router Table in 7 Easy Steps

Yesterday, in need of a router table and possessing a router, with some help from instruction by Martin we took the table in our workshop, and turned it into a router table- a great tool for making details on wood- and is way more stable and exact than a normal router would be. Here's how you can make one yourself!



1. Acquire a router.

Unless you're an expert machinist you have to start with a working router. Seek one out with a detachable base if possible.

2. Acquire a table.

Ok, easy so far right? Ideally your table should be standing height (36") and the kind you don't mind putting holes in. "Look grandma, I gave your dining table more HORSEPOWER!" is not always a phrase that goes over well.

3. Drill three holes.

Figure out where the holes will need to be by removing the base, taking the face plate off the base, and marking through the screw holes onto the table. A good spot is about six inches to a foot from a corner. Drill up from the bottom, and then countersink the tops deep enough so that the mounting screws catch the threads.



4. Screw the router base to the table.

Um. Yeah. Do that.

5. Drill the center hole.

Mount a medium size straight bit into the router, slide the router into its base and turn it on. SLOWLY raise the router through the table. Repeat this with wider and wider bits until your largest bit fits through.




6. Add a fence.

A fence can have a single pivot point , and still work. Because a router has a rotary bit, there is not such thing as cutting an angle. We made ours by drilling a hole on the close side of the table, putting a dowel through a piece of wood, and setting it in place, holding the distance with a clamp. This setup is great, because its entirely removable. Swing your fence SLOWLY through a running router bit- it will cut an arc into it. This will allow you to do partial cuts by placing the fence over half of the bit.



7. Sand the tabletop.

Sand it all as close to flush as possible, and always remove any lumps or glue globs or whatever before you use it.

Great! Now you have an awesome router table for no more than the cost of a router and a table!