Better router fence for BT31000

[tfischer]

Howdy all...

Replacing my router that died last weekend has got me rethinking my whole router situation. Specifically, I want to build a 'real' router fence for use with the BT3100 accessory table. All this time I've been limping along with the tiny 'fence' that came with the accessory kit...

My thought was to use the brackets from the accessory kit (removing the wood 'fence' parts, but building a much taller fence. I'd like a T-track in the top for fingerboard use, and I'd like to incorporate dust collection (I picked up a "router table dust port" that may or may not end up meeting my needs...)

Rather than reinvent the wheel, has anyone done anything like this? I've seen a few posted here but they don't quite fit what I'm thinking of...

Thanks!
-Tim

[Popeye]

Something like this maybe?

Here is a series of build pics. http://bt3gallery.cpu-etc.com/main.p...=542&g2_page=1 The pics are all I have left, the BT is gone Pat

[Black wallnut]

Tim there has been many different router fences designed over the years, both utilizing the rip fence and not utilizing the rip fence. The fence I've made and use (see my site) has been modified to work attached to the saws rails. Rod Kirby still has a fence he designed in the old article section that attached to the rails.

While you plan your fence keep in mind that any router fence just has to be a straight board that you can bury at least half of a router bit into to be useful.

[tfischer]

Pat thanks for the link. That gives me some ideas... I was planning on attaching it to the BT fence instead of the rails, but that should be easy enough to adapt...

-Tim

[ars_lurker]

I built mine off of this plan in wood magazine.
http://www.woodstore.net/rofe.html

I modified it a little so I could fasten it to the rip fence with the rockler fence clamps I had instead of t-bolts
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?p...=fence%20clamp

The t-track came with the bolts and knobs as a kit (also from rockler). I just modified the plans so the 5/16" bolts would work. Dust port came from local store (Midwest Woodworkers).

So far it has worked great on my 21829.

Mike

[tfischer]

Oh I like that one a lot. I might have to spring for those plans just to get a better look...

Do you have pics of your actual fence, with the mods?

-Tim

[ars_lurker]

I have some pics someplace or I will take new ones for you tonight.

[LarryG]

I also built a version of the WOOD Magazine fence (photo in this thread, near the bottom), and some other members here (JR, for one) have, too. It's an excellent basic design. I say "a version of" because I made a number of changes. First and foremost was to alter the overall dimensions and hold-down points to suit my router table. I also used a different method for the sliding fence halves, did not bother covering the face with laminate, and upped the DC port size to 4". But at its heart it's the same basic design, and it's well worth building.

The original article included an option for clamping the fence to a table saw rip fence; presumably the plans you can purchase will have this as well.

[tfischer]

I stopped by the library on my way to work and photocopied the table plans (they're actually in the 11/04 issue, not 10/04 like the link says, which threw me for a temporary loop...) Looks promising.

Thanks again guys, and I'd appreciate more pics of how others have either adapted this one, or done something different, regarding using the BT3's accessory table...

-Tim

[JR]

Link to thread regarding my fence and table, as mentioned by LarryG.

Good luck, Tim.

JR

[tfischer]

Link to thread regarding my fence and table, as mentioned by LarryG.

Good luck, Tim.

JR

That looks great. I ended up going back to the library and photocopying about 4 more articles out of that particular back issue... lots of great router info there...

I probably won't get a chance to build my fence until after the Christmas season (things start getting really busy for me about this time of year, which is scary since I've been pretty busy anyway )

Man if Wood magazine is always that good, I've been missing out. It's going on my Christmas wish list...

-Tim

[BobSch]

Man if Wood magazine is always that good, I've been missing out. It's going on my Christmas wish list...

-Tim

You might want to give them a call and see if they've got any special offers. Some guys have gotten two or three years for the price of one.

[dbhost]

JR,

I don't know HOW I missed this thread when it was new, but THANKS!

I just need to figure out how to fab up a template for the insert. I have that you know :-)...

Now that you have been using it for a while, how is it working out for you?