Router Table/Cabinet

[GPA61]

LOML says I don't have room for this but I assured her that a monster router calls for a monster router table. This one is based on plans I bought from Tom Hintz. Because my router is bigger than the plans would accommodate I had to enlarge it some.

I'm posting it this way because I'm looking for some advice. The top is two pieces of laminated baltic birch (not attached to the cabinet yet) wrapped in maple. After hearing complaints of uneveness resulting from bad glue up of high pressure laminates, I was hesitant to use it. So I left it natural. Now, what kind of finish should I put on it?

Cabinet is made of what ever I had in the shop, ie, plywood, particle board, mdf, you name it, I used it. Thus, the paint.

Obviously, I still have to put holes in the bit drawers. Close enough to being done to call it a finished project I guess.

Any advice on the top finish will be appreciated.

[gad5264]

Very nice addition to any shop Claudio.

[RodKirby]

Beautiful Job!

I'd recommend ON BOTH SIDES: 3 coats of wipe-on poly, and then Johnson's wax on the top.

[Pappy]

Nice router cabinet, Claudio. Mine is based on the NYW plans and very similar. The top isn't held down by anything but gravity.

[Ken Massingale]

Nice Claudio. Looks like a piece of furniture.

[lrogers]

If the LOYL really thinks it's too big for your shop, I'll help you out! Just tell me where to pick it up and I'll put it my shop!

Nice work Claudio.

[Turaj]

Very nice job! I realy like how you mixed all the leftover pieces! It looks great.

[bthere]

Very nice looking. I agree with poly on both sides of the top.

[mater]

Very nice. It looks great.

[ejs1097]

That is the envy of my router. Great work. There is something satisfying about make items on own made well built shop tools. You'll get all kinds of enjoyment out of that.

[Popeye]

Wish I'd seen that last night before you came into the chat room. Pretty danged nice Claudio. Sure makes mine look a bit sad. I'm with Rod on the finish, save for I'd maybe spray the top instead of using wiping poly. Either way is GTG though. Pat

[Garasaki]

Everyone is concentrating on the poly, but the wax is probably the more important of the 2. Well maybe not more important, but dont overlook it.

I used shellac then wax for the surface of my crosscut sled (also baltic birch ply), and after a little elbow grease getting the wax on and buffed, pieces slide over it like its made of ice.

[burrellski]

Table looks great. I've got one of those fences laying around still waiting to be used. What did you use for a router plate? If phenolic, is it "crowned" and by how much? I need to order a plate and then I'll be set, I'm just not sure which one to get.

[John Hunter]

Very nice.

[big tim]

Very nice! I particularly like the toilet paper holder mounted on the side.
All kidding aside, whose fence is that?

Tim