When we buy our first router, test it out, and discover the possibilities it offers, we realize it’s a machine that can take our small workshop to another level. After searching for information on the Internet and YouTube, we realize the next thing we want is a router table. That will truly multiply the possibilities of our woodworking workshop. We check prices and realize they usually cost even more than the router, and some of us can’t afford it. No worries! A simple table, a board, and four screws, and we already have a homemade router table.
Now, if the router does not have a built-in height adjustment system, it is not easy to adjust it. And if we want to buy a lift system for the router, we will see that they also cost quite a bit, and I’m not sure if they can be attached to routers that do not have a circular housing.
Searching the Internet, you can find all kinds of systems, from the simplest ones that surely do their job perfectly to more complex ones with detailed plans (usually for a fee, although they usually cost little). I wanted something that did not require me to get under the table to adjust the height and that I could build without having to be very precise and without excessive tools. In the video, you will see that I only use a jigsaw and a drill press, although I’m sure it can also be made with a handheld drill and a steady hand. I have to admit that the idea is not mine; I got it from this video (YouTube), although with some changes.
To build the system, I used pieces of wood I had in the workshop, two 75cm brake cable housings, a 2.5-meter brake cable, 2 clamps, 2 ball guides (housings, cable, and clamps 5€ in a bike shop, ball guides less than 4€), half a threaded rod, nuts, and bolts I had in the workshop. Yes, it was very cheap. I hope it works well.
At the moment I have a problem, which is that the springs of the router I am using are very, very stiff (I am already thinking it might be a manufacturing defect). I am sure my other router would run much smoother. Something important for it to run smoothly is that the cables are perfectly parallel to the guide columns of the router. If they are inclined, part of the force goes into pushing these guide columns to one side, and they will rub against the ring where they enter the router.
I just need to attach the system to a table and test how it works by giving it some work. In a future post, you will see the results.
So far, I had to reinforce the structure because the springs of the router exert a lot of force, but at least the reinforcement allows me to easily attach the system to the router table.
Still, I get the impression that the problem with the stiff springs is getting worse, and I think I will end up disassembling the router to see what’s wrong since sometimes it goes up in jerks. We’ll see, for now, I am still working on the router table.
03/02/2013
I published the project on lumberjocks, and it seems to be liked. It was top 3 (even 1st) on February 1st. Thanks to everyone who saw it and made it rise so high.
After a bit of molybdenum spray lubricant, it runs quite smoothly. At first, it seemed like everything was going to blow up with the tension, but now it goes up and down without major issues. I think it was due to some manufacturing defect or maybe some rust on the springs.