When we bought our first router machine, tested it and discovered the possibilities it gives us, we realized that it is a machine that can take our small workshop to another level. After searching for information on the Internet and YouTube we realize that the next thing we want is a router table. This will multiply the possibilities of our carpentry workshop. We look for prices and realize that they usually cost even more than the plunge router and some of us can’t afford it. What’s more, a simple table, a table top and four screws and we have a homemade router table.
Now it turns out that if the plunge router does not have a built-in height adjustment system, it is not easy to adjust it. And if we want to buy a lifting system for the router machine we will see that they also cost their own, and I am not sure if they can be coupled to plunge router machines that do not have circular casing.
Searching on 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 paid, although they usually cost little). I wanted something that didn’t require me to reach 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 with a hand drill and a little bit of pulse it can also be made. I have to admit that the idea is not mine, I got it from this video (YouTube), although with some changes.
To make the system I used pieces of wood I had in the workshop, two 75cm brake cable sleeves, a 2.5 meter brake cable, 2 clips, 2 ball guides (sleeves, cable and clips 5€ in a bike store, ball guides less than 4€), half a threaded rod, nuts and bolts I had in the workshop. Yes, I got it very cheap. I hope it works well.
At the moment I have a problem, which is that the springs of the plunge router I use are very very hard (I’m already thinking that it is a manufacturing defect), I’m sure that with my other plunge router it would be much softer. It is important for smooth operation that the cables are perfectly parallel to the guide columns of the plunge router machine. If they are inclined, part of the force is going to push these guide columns to one side and they will rub against the ring where they enter the plunge router casing.
I just need to attach the system to a table and test how it works by giving it a little work. In a future post you will see the result.
At the moment I had to reinforce the structure because the springs of the router machine make a lot of force, but at least the reinforcement is enough to easily attach the system to the DIY router table.
Even so, I have the impression that the problem of the hard springs is getting worse and I think I will end up disassembling the plunge router to see what happens to them since when it goes up it sometimes jumps. We’ll see, for the moment I’m still making the router table.
03/02/2003
I posted the project on lumberjocks and it seems to have been liked. It was top 3 (being even 1st) on February 1st. Thanks to all of you who saw it and made it go up so much.
After a little molybdenum spray lubricant it goes pretty smooth. At first it looked like it was going to blow up with the tension, but now it goes up and down without any major problems. I think it was a matter of some manufacturing defect or maybe some rust on the springs.
