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Woodworking Shop

Router Table
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Well, there was a screaming deal after all, we now have a Bosch 1617 motor in the router lift. The motor is brand new, never used, but the fixed base and plunge base in the case are slightly used, and we only have the 1/4" collet for now. I will source a 1/2" collet down the road, we only have 1/4" shank bits in the space currently.

We now have a router table built into the right wing of our table saw. I had been discussing it with a few people for a while, and found myself with some free time. I'm in the process of putting plenty of coats of wipe-on poly on the tabletop, I'll make sure not to leave it sticky while someone else is working in the shop.


We have the table, a sliding-rail fence that fits over the table saw fence, and a JessEm Rout-R Lift. What we don't currently have is the router itself. The lift will fit most 3.5", 2.25hp routers such as the Bosch 1617, Dewalt 618, or others. The Bosch is the most versatile, and is often on sale at KMS tools or FB Marketplace. Unless a screaming deal shows up, I might wait to see what our finances look like at next week's meeting.


Once we do have the router installed (dust collection and dedicated power plug in the table will be down the road) I would be more than happy to show people how to safely use it, and how we can do some multidisciplinary Making, using the laser cutter to make a template for easy pattern routing.

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