Mount Rockler Router Table To Steel Leg Stand??

[LIWoodworker]

Hi Folks,

I just purchased the Rockler Large Plate Router Table with the Steel Table Leg Stand.

The quality appears to be very good, however I did not find any assembly instructions in the box. :-(

I put the stand together -- that was easy enough -- but now I want to attach the table to the stand and I am not sure how.

I have no directions and no hardware.

I'm guessing I should screw the table to the stand from underneath. However, I believe the table is made from MDF, and I have heard that MDF does not hold screws well.

Any suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated.

Here are links to the table and the stand -

?page=10276THANKS & HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND! :-)

[BobS]

You could drill and tap for 1/4" x 20tpi machine thread bolts. Drill the pilot hole (~3/4" deep) of the correct size (minor dia of tap) and after tapping the MDF, use some CA glue (super-glue) to coat and hardened the threads. After it dries, the bolt will stay.

You could also use the threaded brass inserts. They have a course outer thread for grabbing into the wood/MDF or the press in type and then have a machine thread that your bolt would thread into. You would need a small Forstner bit (1/2") to drill the hole about 3/4" deep for the brass insert. Only problem with the screw in type is that when you insert them into MDF they have a tendency to bulge the area since the displaced material has to go some place. I prefer the press in type. I just coat the hole with a thin coat of epoxy and press in the insert. These inserts have ridges that bite into the wood/MDF so they won't twist when you're installing the bolt.

Rockler sells the inserts and you can probably find them at the borgs

S.

[LIWoodworker]

In doing some research, I came upon an item called a CONFIRMAT. Anyone familiar with these?

The router table is 1 1/8" thick. I don't want to go all the way through, so I guess I'd be looking for something about 3/4" to 1" long.

And from the looks of them, I'm guessing you need to pre-drill.

Are these good for MDF?

Do you think I would find them at the Home Depot?

Thanks Again!! :-)

[Patriarch]

"LIWoodworker" wrote in news: [e-mail]:

Rockler has the Confirmat fasteners, and they are designed for composite materials. A good, independent hardware store may sell them (they do in my neighborhood). I've never looked for them at the Borg.

Pan head sheet metal screws in size 10 or 12 may work pretty well for what you're trying to do, too. The Confirmats are really for edge joinery. All you need to do is give gravity an assist, and resist sliding around on the stand.

My $.02.

Patriarch

[LIWoodworker]

Patriarch,

I think you're right, I'm just trying to keep the table from sliding around on the stand.

But don't metal screws usually have finer threads? Wouldn't I want a coarse thread screw since I am screwing into MDF?

Thanks!!

Glen

[LIWoodworker]

As I said, I purchased my setup from Rockler, but I think it's pretty similar to a setup sold by Woodpeckers.

They offer a router table (similar size and construction -- MDF) with a metal stand.

And they show the top being attached to the stand with "deep thread screws".

If you visit this URL, look at the far right column, third photo from the top --

you think that's all I need?? :-)

[Patriarch]

"LIWoodworker" wrote in news: [e-mail]:

Sheet metal self-tapping, pan head screws generally have coarse threads. These are not made to go into a nut, but into other sheet metal. Your hardware guy should be able to help you, for less than a dime each.

[Frank Campbell]

snip

If you are really concerned about the top being secure use 1/4" flat head bolts countersunk right through the top, just watch the position of them in relation to the slots for miter guides, fence etc.