Woodworks Made Easy: The Router Table

The router table is likely number three in line of importance and utility in a workshop next to No.1 - Table Saw and No.2 - Work Bench. However, there had been occasions where it is number 1. That happens when there is just no other way, or no safer or easy way, an operation or a particular cut can be made without it. There are now many router tables and accessories in the market to suit almost everyone's taste or willingness to pay. There will be more in the future as new technology develops. There had been many in the past that did not quite make it as a sustainable brand in a very competitive environment.

But I lament one particular system that did not make it commercially despite its initial and dramatic success. And it is still, in my opinion, the best there is. It was ahead of its time when the company was founded in the early 90's. I bought the top model of its positioning system (fence and clincher) and its router lift assembly in late 90's. It still works with not a single repair or even a call to tech support. That is how reliable it is and how clearly the instructions were put together (in glossy prints and color in some) in binders.

It was a business failure for reasons that perhaps MBA schools should make into a case study. But its technology was far and above its competition then. However, it lives on because I think a prominent tool maker has adopted its system (hopefully, the founder made a little bit of money, if he sold the patent)

The San Antonio, TX manufacturer had about three models then. I purchased this one, then constructed the cabinet from a plan provided by the manufacturer.

It is a positioning system where the extruded aluminum fence is connected to a movable rail system that slidess forward or backwards relative to the position of the router attached underneath the table. The wheel rotates one click at a time, which moves the fence at 1/1000 inch increments.

The black flap (below) labeled "Clincher" in yellow has three functions: Down - locked position; Halfway Up - activates the wheel to rotate; Completely Up - allows the rail to slide freely, deactivates the wheel from rotating.

The router housing holds (clamp) various router models - very heavily constructed for vibration free operation. There are three threaded steel rods for a balanced upward and downward motion of the router base assembly, actuated by a crank that runs the fluted rod (near one of the threaded rods shown)

A sliding platform is a nice accessory to support work pieces either flat to the table surface or perpendicular to it. Also shown are the various router bits designed for dovetail and finger joints.

It came with an excellent dust collection capacity (shop vac and hoses not included)

Here are just a few examples of the operations done on the router table. This particular system will accurately find the center of a board, flat or on edge, without measuring or marking. It will also make cuts at accurate regular intervals without marking.