DIY router table top rant

[gimpy]

This is just a rant on my part. When will I ever learn? A couple of months ago I built a router table out of plywood from a Shop Notes (issue 78?) plan. For the longest time, I debated about making my own router insert plate (even posted questions about material), but finally gave in and ordered a phenolic plate from Woodpeckers.

Now here is the rant part. When I ordered the insert and template, I was asked if I wanted the bit that goes with it. Well, I decided to save the $25.00 or so on the bit and did not get it. Now, how I wish I had. I've had all sorts of trouble cutting out the insert hole. Saturday, I went to Ace/Homco, H.D. and another store to get the correct bit. None had the exact right size, so I tried to cut it to exact size anyway. After 4-5 hours or more, I finally got it cut out. I think it may work (may not). It looks OK, but not professional by any means. It should have been a 30 or 40 minute job. When will I ever learn? I guess I am so cheap I squeak when I walk.

Lesson learned? Probably not, not when it comes to (trying to) save money.
Can you tell this has happened before? That's what is so infuriating to me.

thx, for listening, Frank

[atgcpaul]

Trust me. You are definitely not alone here! I'll never
learn and I'll continue to go on being cheap though
(squeak, squeak)

Paul

[vanguard]

Do you have a picture of your finished table? I've got the baltic birch leaning up against my Jeep right now. Just waiting for a chance to cut it to size. Should be this weekend I hope.

[gjat]

I'm not cheap. I'm a financial minimalist.

[kwgeorge]

Probably too late to help you any but I also did not buy the bit from them. I hate buying bits I may only use once. A solution for me was to drill the corners with a fostner bit. I forgot the exact bit size but it is on my site.

[tribalwind]

bah!
im the same way.
heck i wouldnt have even gotten the template lol. (this little chunk of mdf is HOW much?!)

if i knew ya needed phenolic i woulda setcha up good . i still have probably 100bdft of the stuff in various size panels! check the members classifieds

my new router table will feature a nice solid phenolic top,though i'll probably still make an insert to switch out routers.

[onedash]

i mentioned in an erlier post that I learned my lesson a long time ago. When I made an acrylic insert though I used a jigsaw to cut the hole. It turned out almost perfect though. Except when I went to drill the screw holes a size bigger one of them cracked. Then I bought a whole new Jessem table, fence and insert.

[leehljp]

Trust me tightwads, As much as relatives and friends might love you, none of them are going the put the money you save in your casket when you leave this world!

I have done too many funerals to know!