Router Table Wiring

[sharshan]

So I have commenced on a router table project. I am building a benchtop router table, and am in need of a power switch setup. Rockler seems to be the only group I have found which has a nice switch, but April 27th is the backorder date for it.

The other option of course (which I am comfortable with) is wiring it myself. Does anyone have any website suggestions, or suggestions in general of things that they have done that would fit the bill?

Obviously, in terms of money I want to do it right, but balancing that with the fact that the router switch from rockler is on sale for $14.99 right now.

Your help is most appreciated.
Craig.

[jethro]

Highland Hardware's got one for a buck less:
http://www.tools-for-woodworking.com...OD&ProdID=1888

Edit:
If anyone has the Ultimate Tool Stand plans or knows their new whereabouts on the Web, there's a really good, simple schematic showing how to wire a router table switch.

[RodKirby]

Both my table mounted routers - and band saw, disk sander, OSS - all have a single switch to power the device and the Shopvac. I did all the wiring - no big deal.

[maxparot]

a 20 amp metal batted toggle switch with a safety cover(the type used for car and airplanes) works well add a good size paddle to the safety cover by drilling 2 holes in it and screwing on a appropriate board or piece of plastic sheet.
Mount the switch in a handybox and find an good spot where you can hit it the paddle with a knee

[thrytis]

If all you need is the switch and want to use a standard outlet and plug and wire it together yourself, check out Sears Parts. I wandered around the Sears tool department until i found a switch on a machine that i liked, wrote down the model number of the machine, and looked up the part number online. I think i paid $4 - $5 for my switch.

[twistsol]

quote:Originally posted by jethro

Highland Hardware's got one for a buck less:
http://www.tools-for-woodworking.com...OD&ProdID=1888

Edit:
If anyone has the Ultimate Tool Stand plans or knows their new whereabouts on the Web, there's a really good, simple schematic showing how to wire a router table switch.

Here's the Ultimate Tool Stand link

http://www.planethart.com/projects/U...l_Stand_2.html

[sharshan]

That Ultimate Tool Stand has to be the coolest thing I have ever seen. I just actually got done cutting down a wood rack (2'D x 8'L) in half because it took up too much space in my shop. I have the perfect base to create that stand right now.

I have my next project! Da Da!

Craig.

[ejs1097]

quote:Originally posted by maxparot

a 20 amp metal batted toggle switch with a safety cover(the type used for car and airplanes) works well add a good size paddle to the safety cover by drilling 2 holes in it and screwing on a appropriate board or piece of plastic sheet.
Mount the switch in a handybox and find an good spot where you can hit it the paddle with a knee

Do you have any pictures?
Sears has a switch that will power both the tool and a shopvac when the tool's switch is turned on for $20 The switch will keep the shopvac on for about 3 seconds after the tool is off. For $20 is this feature worth it or is the shopvac turning off with the tool usually adequate?

[maxparot]

I'd turn the shopvac off with the tool. Think of it this way...You've done your cut, dust production is done and there is a slight lag time to turn off the tool anyway. Any particles that can be sucked out of the tool have been and are either in the DC or on there way through the plumbing. Worst case they will finish there travels next time the system is turned on before you make your cut.
Also the vac has some run down time after it is turned off so dust is still capabile of traveling for a second or 2.

[WoodPirate]

http://www.grainger.com/

These folks carry tons of stuff with which to fix stuff and make stuff. I went to their local store a while back and it was really hard to leave.

[JimD]

I also used a standard metal electrical box with metal cover for a switched outlet. The box is sized for two outlets and the switch (20 amp) goes on one side with an outlet on the other. They sell standard metal covers for this setup. An electric cord with the female end cut off supplied the wire and plug. The router plugs into the outlet. An advantage of this setup is the ability to unplug the router very easily while changing bits - kind of like the ability to unplug the BT3100 while changing blades. I put the box on the right hand side of the base right under the top. Works great and the price is right.

Jim

[Whaler]

I just wired my router table today.
Both the switch and receptical are 20 amp and installed in a standard metal box and cover I made up the extension cord out of 12/2 w/ground. I mounted the box to the table with 10x24 SS machine screws and lock nuts.
Simple, inexpensive and convenient.

[JimD]

Dick,

That's almost exactly what I did. The only differences are my box lies flat on the side of the router table and I used an extension cord with one end cut off for the power cord.

Jim

[Pappy]

I used a switch scavenged off a BT. The receptacle for the 'saw' to plug into is on the inside section of the router station where the router hangs. The cord feeds thru a desk plate in the side of the station into a compartment to store templates.

[monte]

Nice router station Pappy!