Suitable for a router table?

[LYU370]

Not sure if I should post this here or in Tool Talk... Anyhow, I'm thinking about building a router table to replace the accessory table in the BT3100. Still going to keep it in the saw because of lack of space. Ran across this at IKEA and was wondering if you thought this would work well for the table top. It's 26" x 25 5/8" x 1 1/8" solid beech, the thickness is what has me wondering if it'll fit between the rails. Then the next question is what plate to use. Will be mounting the Hitachi big green monster on it.

Thanks.

[Tom Miller]

That thickness shouldn't be any problem. For my BT3 router table, I used a 2-pc lamination of 3/4" baltic birch (nominally 1.5" thick).

I would, however, be a little concerned with overall stability of that piece for a router table top -- I'm partial to BB or even MDF for this application. That beech would look better, though.

Regards,
Tom
Added: And by stability, I mean warpage, as Joe mentions below. Even if flat to start with, it could very well warp with the seasons (humidity changes).

[Tequila]

Somebody around here recently posted about a plan to use the same thing for a router table. The problem was that the piece that they had was a little too warped to work out.

I'd say that if you get a good piece of it, it would probably work. You're more likely to get a flat surface out of a melamine-coated countertop though.

I don't have a BT, so I can't comment on the fit.

[drumpriest]

See??? Great excuse for that drum sander, take the warp out of it. MDF is often used because it is predictably flat, and stays that way. The only trouble that I know of using it is that it can sag if you don't build a torsion grid of support under it.