I am building a router table using two layers 3/4" plywoods with the top and bottom Formica/plastic laminate. I am puzzle how to attach the table top to the cabinet below?
I am incorporating plans from Internet, Woodworking magazines and nowhere did any suggestion how I attach the top to the base or cabinet below. This router table will be screwed onto the 50" TS fence.
I thank you for any suggestions or advice for this project.
Screw it from underneath
Been there, done that. Route a few 3/4" dados about an inch down on the inside of the cabinet sides, near the corners. Cut a triangle to fit in these slots and glue/brad it in place. Drill a hole in it, and use a 5/16" lag bolt up into the table top.
And thanks to the miracle of digital photography, I can show you how I did it too:
Up to you. I used oak ply and put a few layers of poly on the underside to compensate for the formica on the top, and it hasn't warped yet. Of course, it's also bolted to a pretty strong base ;-)
Use cleats - cut the slot 1/2" from the top, make a 7/16" deep rabbit in a block of wood, and screw/bolt it up into the top. The 1/16" difference leaves a gap so the screw can pull the top down. Here's a cleat from Pat's craft table, which is a lot smaller than what you need but will show you what I mean:
The picture explained everything. Thanks, I really like it and I visited your site before posting the above question.
My router table will similar but, It will be part of the extended table from the TS. It has another layers (Formica) below the router top. Yours table's bottom does not have the layer, do you think I should do away with the bottom layers Formica/plastic too?
I have another question, how do you attach the bench top (hard maple laminated top) to the wooden frame? Bearing in mind that the heavy top (3" x 36" x 56") will move as it ages and while being heavily use.
Thank you again.
If you make them from 1.5" thick wood, a few inches long, and use lag bolts - sure. The photo was of a craft table, just to help explain what I was talking about. Adjust scale as needed ;-)
If you really don't want it to move, put two pocket screws along the top's centerline (i.e. on the same grain line) to hold it in the right spot.
I should have said "Workbench" rather than "bench" and are you sure the cleats will hold the top in place?
What other methods (pics) available so that I could dismantle the top to mover or ship in two parts to reduce the weight?
I really appreciate it and thank you again.
Gravity!
Attach some locating blocks to the underside of the top and plunk it on top of the cabinet. Between the 1.5" of plywood, the router, plate and accessories it should weigh enough to stay put.
My table top is not fastened to the cabinet. I glued a third sheet of MDF to the top that just fits inside the cabinet. Works fine. The weight of the router and top keep it in place. Greg
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