I wouldn't say this part of the project is finished, but it's probably not going to get any more finished....
This is the router compartment/table/fence portion of my new BT3 mobile base. I decided against upgrading the router table insert at present -- couldn't make up my mind. I did work on the snap rings of this Rousseau plate so that they come out easily. Now I can change bits above table.
In this shot you can see the sliding door for air intake (for DC) on the router compartment, with drawers next to it for bits, etc:
The idea for the router compartment door just popped into my head one day -- so far it works really well in that it's out of the way when open. RE magnets hold it closed really well, too. (I used a piece of tape to hold it half-open for the picture, otherwise it's either fully open or fully closed.)
The router is very accessible with the door open, meaning height adjustment from below is not much of a motivating factor for a new router plate:
For the router fence, I decided to try attaching to the BT3 rails. I figured I can always re-work it to clamp to the table top if I don't like it. So far, I think I like it.
Here's the front of the fence (I'll probably add t-track to the front face, but maybe on top):
...and the back:
It attaches to the front rail using a bolt into a t-nut. But I also added a front plate to keep it square to the rail. I figured this might allow me to use my rip fence micro-adjuster on the router fence.
The rear clamp is kind of the same idea as for the rip fence. It's based on a piece of Al angle that pulls the rear of the fence down to the rail:
Whew! Sorry that got kind of long. Anyone on a dial up connection feel free to send me your phone bill.
Thanks for looking, and looking forward to comments! As with a lot of projects, there are things I'd do again, and things I wouldn't. So if there's anything you're curious about, you might want to ask before you try it yourself!
Regards,
Tom
This is the router compartment/table/fence portion of my new BT3 mobile base. I decided against upgrading the router table insert at present -- couldn't make up my mind. I did work on the snap rings of this Rousseau plate so that they come out easily. Now I can change bits above table.
In this shot you can see the sliding door for air intake (for DC) on the router compartment, with drawers next to it for bits, etc:
The idea for the router compartment door just popped into my head one day -- so far it works really well in that it's out of the way when open. RE magnets hold it closed really well, too. (I used a piece of tape to hold it half-open for the picture, otherwise it's either fully open or fully closed.)
The router is very accessible with the door open, meaning height adjustment from below is not much of a motivating factor for a new router plate:
For the router fence, I decided to try attaching to the BT3 rails. I figured I can always re-work it to clamp to the table top if I don't like it. So far, I think I like it.
Here's the front of the fence (I'll probably add t-track to the front face, but maybe on top):
...and the back:
It attaches to the front rail using a bolt into a t-nut. But I also added a front plate to keep it square to the rail. I figured this might allow me to use my rip fence micro-adjuster on the router fence.
The rear clamp is kind of the same idea as for the rip fence. It's based on a piece of Al angle that pulls the rear of the fence down to the rail:
Whew! Sorry that got kind of long. Anyone on a dial up connection feel free to send me your phone bill.
Thanks for looking, and looking forward to comments! As with a lot of projects, there are things I'd do again, and things I wouldn't. So if there's anything you're curious about, you might want to ask before you try it yourself!
Regards,
Tom
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