Router Table Reviews

  • Best Router Table Reviews
  • Kreg Router Tables
  • Bosch Router Tables
    • Bosch RA1181
  • Wood Router Reviews
    • Dewalt DWP611PK
    • Bosch 1617EVSPK

How To Build A Router Table

How to Make a Router Table

Every woodworking handyman wants a benchtop router table with many great features such as a router table fence, a router plate or other router base, a drill press, and measurement tools for perfection routing.

However, buying a quality pre-made table like CNC router table, you know it is going to be expensive. That is why more and more people are making their own benchtop router table. If you’re looking for a super easy way to build a router table you should definitely look at starting with a kitchen cabinet.

You’d be surprised how easily these can be retrofitted to create the perfect router table where you can save some money and also save some time. Now, technically, you’re only using the countertop portion of the old cabinet to make the actual router table, but the cabinet portion is going to be helpful if you want something for it to stand up on. Of course, that’s only if it’s going to be a permanent fixture.

The Pieces You Need

Countertop – You’ll want something that is at least 6 linear feet because that’s going to give you a 3-foot table. This is about the minimum you’re going to want to get basically any kind of project that you want. These pieces, however, aren’t very long when you consider it’s a kitchen cabinet so you shouldn’t have a problem finding a scrap somewhere.

Pieces You Need

T-nuts, eye bolts, washers, router table insert plate, 1/2” router bit, wood glue, ½”, 1 ¼”, and 2” coarse thread screws  – You’ll need several different kinds of connective pieces to help you put things together as you go along. Your best bet is to bring your boxes of  miscellaneous screws and pieces for this part.

Metal rails – You’ll need rails to help support everything, so a 6-foot piece of 1” rail will work. You can find these pretty easily or use something you might have around the house. Vacuum hose adapter – You’ll be surprised how this is actually going to help you get everything put together quickly and easily.

Putting It Together

This video has been helpful for seeing how you could put together your DIY router table. Of course, when making it yourself, there is more than one way to build a router table. If you are interested in more ways beyond the video shown, just continue reading to see how we did ours.

  1. You can use a circular saw or a table saw to start the cutting process but you want to cut off any backsplash that your countertop may have. If the main portion of the countertop isn’t flat you may also want to cut that section off as well (this happens sometimes on the front of countertops).
  2. hole
    The first hole you want to make is for the insert plate. You need it to be 3 ½” from the back edge with at least a ½” guide around the outside. Set your router bit depth and stack your guide material with the plate itself and start cutting the inner edge of your groove. Make sure if you’re using a table saw you put the laminate side of the countertop face up and if you’re using a circular saw you put it face down. This will prevent chipping.
  3. You’ll want to help finish out the hole by cutting the inner edge of the groove that you’ve created.
  4. Attach your rails to the underside of the countertop to form a support system for when you use your router and your plates on the table.
  5. Next, you’ll need all of your cut pieces to assemble your framework and fence. You need a 6” x 28” base, a 3 ½” x 28” face backer, 5” x 30” face, 2 2 ¾” x 4 ½” dust pen pieces, and 6 3 ½” x 5 3/16” brackets.
  6. Take your base and lay it flat on the table. Then attach two of the bracket pieces to each other using glue and repeat for another two brackets. These will go on the outer sides of the base piece with 1 ½” of space between the side edge and the bracket on each side. Next, measure 6 ½” in from the outer edge and 4” back and screw in one eye bolt and each side. The T-nut will fit into the bottom of the piece.
  7. Cut a half circle in the middle of the back side of the base board that’s 4” wide at the base and 2” deep. Repeat on the face backer.
  8. Surround this circle on the base board with one bracket on each side. Attach the dust pen pieces to each other to form a 90° angle and cut a hole in one of the pieces that is the diameter of your vacuum hose.
  9. Take the final piece and carve a half-circle in the middle of the back that is sized to work for your router bits.
  10. Tee Nut
    Make sure you drill pilot holes and use coarse threaded screws as a fine threaded one will not hold.
  11. When it comes time to attach your fence face to the underside of the unit you want to use 1 ½” screws through the backer and then use the T-nuts carefully.
  12. Your table is now ready to go, though you’re only going to have a surface at this point. If you use the entire cabinet you can set up the router table in your garage or workspace in its own permanent (or semi-permanent) location.

You can find even more information by checking out the Family Handyman right here. You’ll see pictures and more demonstrations of just what you need to do and how you can make sure your table is going to be in tip top shape. After all, that’s the most important part, right? You need a table that you can trust to use your router with and you definitely need something that’s going to last at least a while. You don’t want to put your time and effort into it and it doesn’t work.

If you’re keen on seeing yet another way on how to build a router table, then this video may provide more options for you.

The best thing about this particular router table, however, is that you’re not going to spend a whole lot of money. So when you do have more money to spend, you can pick up a nicer, newer table that really suits all your needs and you won’t have to feel bad about getting rid of this one. But, in the meantime, you have something that is definitely going to make all of your projects a whole lot easier and a whole lot more enjoyable at the same time. That’s definitely going to be a big benefit for anyone.

Filed Under: Router Tables Tagged With: all about the router table production, How to Make a Router Table, Make a Router Table

Recently Reviewed Router Tables

  • Best Router Table Reviews | Our Top Tables for 2021!
  • Kreg Precision Router Tables | The Ultimate Buyer’s Guide 2021!
  • The Best Bosch Router Tables | Current Buyer’s Guide 2021!
  • The Best Wood Router Tables for Any Woodworking Project in 2021!
  • The Best Budget Wood Router Table Under $200
  • The Best MLCS Router Bits for Your Routers
  • Kobalt Fixed Corded Router with Table Included Review
  • The f11 vs Bosch 1617 Routers: Which Wood Router to Buy
  • The Dewalt DW616PK Combo-Base Router Table
  • The Dewalt DWp611PK 1.25 HP Max Torque Variable Speed Compact Router Combo Kit with LED’s
  • CNC Piranha FX and XL Reviews: Router Machines Review and Price Guide
  • The Best Kobalt Workbench Accessories Reviews
  • Kreg Bandsaw Fence: A Review and Buying Guide
  • Plunge Router Reviews for Fine Woodworking
  • The Dewalt 616 Router Table Review
  • The Performax 2 HP Router Table Review
  • What is the Best Budget Router Tool to Use
  • Compact Router Tables vs Full Size Routers: Compact Router Uses
  • Masterforce Router Reviews
  • The Best 3 HP Routers for a Router Table
  • The Craftsman 27683 Combo-Base Router Review: The Last Combo Base Table You Will Ever Need
  • What is The Best Entry Level CNC Router Table: Beginner Machine
  • Dewalt Dw618pk 12-amp 2-1/4HP Plunge and Fixed-Base Variable-Speed Router Kit
  • Kobalt Fixed Corded Router With Table Included Review
  • The Top CNC Machine for your Money
  • The Best MLCS Router Bits for Your Routers
  • Top Cordless Fixed Base Trim Router
  • What Is A CNC Router Table?
  • What is the Best CNC Router Machine for Beginners?
  • Woodpecker vs Incra Router Table Review
  • BobsCNC e3 Router & Software
  • The Best Budget Brushless Combo Router
  • The Best Tabletop CNC Routers: Router Reviews
  • The Bosch Colt vs Dewalt 611 Review
  • Bobs CNC Evolution 4 Router Review
  • BobsCNC e3 Router for Cutting Aluminum
  • Craftsman Router Base Plate
  • The Best Starter Router Bit Set for Beginners
  • The Best Router Bit Set for the Money
  • What Does CNC Stand for?
  • Super Easy and Fun CNC Mill Projects
  • A Comprehensive Guide with Instructions on How to Bend Wood
  • What is the Hardest Wood in the World?
  • What is the Most Expensive Wood in the World?
  • How Do You Drill Into Plastic Without Cracking It?
  • What is the Difference Between a Laminate Trimmer and a Router?
  • What is the Difference Between Planer and Jointer?
  • How Do You Get White Heat Marks Off Wood?
  • Is Edge-Glued Pine Strong?
  • Is Melamine Stronger than Plywood?
  • What is a Jointer Used for in Woodworking?
  • Are Router Plates Universal?
  • Can You Use a Drill Press as a Lathe?
  • Can I Use a Drill as a Grinder?
  • Can any Router be Used in A Router Table?
  • What is the Cheapest Wood You Can Buy for Woodworking?
  • What is the Heaviest Wood in the World?
  • The Rockler Router Table
  • What Common Wood is Harder Than Oak?
  • What is the Lifespan of a Router?
  • Best CNC Lathe for the Money
  • Buying Guide: Best CNC Mill under 10k
  • Can You Use An Electric Hand Planer on a Table Top?
  • Can You Use Any Router with Any Router Table?
  • Choosing A Jessem Router Lift
  • What is the Best Dowel Jig?
  • Festool Router Tables
  • What is MDF best used for?
  • Porter-Cable Router Dust Collection and Containment
  • What is the Difference Between a Router and a Trimmer?
  • The Best Hobbyist Milling Machines
  • The Ryobi Router Table
  • The Top Automated Plasma Cutters for Sale
  • The Top Bench Top CNC Mill Reviews
  • Who Makes the Best Trim Router?
  • What are the Best Router Bits?
  • What Is the Best Table Saw For the Money?
  • What Router Bit Do I Need for Lettering?
  • What Are the Two Main Types of Drill Bits?
  • What Can A 3-Axis CNC Machine Do?
  • What Can A 4 Axis CNC Machine Do?
  • What is a Spindle Router?
  • What is the Difference Between A Plunge Router and A Regular Router?
  • What Is the Difference Between A Wood Cutting Blade and A Metal Cutting Blade?
  • What You Need to Know About a Router Edge Guide

More Reviews

  • Who Makes the Best Router Bits Best Brand for the Money
  • Router Bits for Rounding Edges Which Bit to Use
  • Grizzly G1023RLW Router Table Review
  • Bosch Palm Router vs Full Size Table
  • Best Router Table Plate

Guides and Tips

  • How to Turn Your WoodWorking Hobby into a Business
  • Router Table Jig Tips and Insights
Router Table Reviews is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, and we earn a commission whenever our readers buy something from Amazon after clicking a product link on our website. DMCA.com Protection Status