Questions about Horizontal Router tables

[mdutch]

I've gotten a couple books with home-made horizontal router tables, and seen a lot of "commercial" tables that are made mostly of wood products like MDF.

The most impressive rig I've seen is on David Mark's "Woodworks" show, one that's obviously made of machined metal parts.

Anyone got any experience with horizontal routing?

Have you bought a commercially mfg. table?

Have you made your own?

Did you make your own and then replaced it with something else?

What would you recommend to a horizontal routing novice?

[RodKirby]

I made this to rout a "lot" of mortises for loose tenon joinery - worked just fine (1/4" spiral upcut bit). I haven't found a need, so far, for any other use. Not obvious, but DC is EXCELLENT! Sorry, No plans - got the details out of a Woodsmith book - years ago.

Not a "multi-router" like David Marks uses - but - would any Hobbyist have one?

[gmack5]

There is a "Home Brew" Multi-Router that was published in a copy of Shopnotes some years ago.

I have a copy of it, but it's "buried" right now. I still don't have my Tools unpacked and that includes all my Books and magizines.

[bigsteel15]

I made this to rout a "lot" of mortises for loose tenon joinery - worked just fine (1/4" spiral upcut bit). I haven't found a need, so far, for any other use. Not obvious, but DC is EXCELLENT! Sorry, No plans - got the details out of a Woodsmith book - years ago.

Not a "multi-router" like David Marks uses - but - would any Hobbyist have one?

Thought I'd try to help with this, being I'm thinking about the same thing.

I have a Woodsmith Comprehensive Index (issues 1-138) and the only reference to a horizontal table is what they call Mortising Tables in some old issues (12, 67 & 69).
Not sure if that is what Rod is referring to, but in those issues there is no reference to horizontal router tables. I assume it must be, as 138 is from 2001.

That is what I like about WS and SN, local supply of back issues is excellent. Plus my library carries them for free.

[Wood_workur]

Rod has a pretty standard method of rasing and lowering the bit, but often a fine adjust devise (a screw on a block that pushes the swinging assembly up) is used to fine tune the height.

[RodKirby]

I have a Woodsmith Comprehensive Index (issues 1-138) and the only reference to a horizontal table is what they call Mortising Tables in some old issues (12, 67 & 69).
Not sure if that is what Rod is referring to, but in those issues there is no reference to horizontal router tables. I assume it must be, as 138 is from 2001.

You are correct Brian.

Explains why I had my pics in a folder named "Mortising Table"

[JimD]

My horizontal routing capability is built into my normal router table. It works a lot like Rod's separate table with the modification Alex mentions.

All I did was make sure the router table top was flush with the back of the cabinet. Then I took a piece of 3/4 melamine about the width of the back of the router table and about 12 inches wide and put a hole in the center of it to screw a PC690 base to (I have 2 PC690s and 4 bases). It is held in place by two hanger bolts screwed into the 3/4 back of the router table. One is in a slotted hole. There is also a 3/8 bolt to help with fine adjustment. The board is stored lower on the back of the router table when I am using it in the vertical mode. I had to take a chunk out of the back of the router table top for the bit to be in when using the horizontal mode. I can put this piece back - I have magnets on it and metal underneith of the router table top in this area for the magnets to grip. The cutout is also where the screw adjustment is for the router lift I built into the table.

I use the horizontal mode for making tenons and also sliding dovetails. I do not use it a lot which fits well with my one-table-does-both configuration.

I attached a picture to give you an idea what it all looks like.

[JimD]

I sent you the stored position and intended to post the up position of the horizontal portion of my table.

Jim

[ddamoore]

There is a "Home Brew" Multi-Router that was published in a copy of Shopnotes some years ago.

I have a copy of it, but it's "buried" right now. I still don't have my Tools unpacked and that includes all my Books and magizines.

There was a "horizontal mortising machine" plan in issue ShopNotes #68


And on overhead mortising machine in ShopNotes #47