How Do I Build a Foldable Router Table?

A router table is designed to have a router mounted on the bottom of a flat surface that has a hole through it. The router bit is positioned through the hole and extends above the flat surface. A table that folds up against a wall is helpful in a small woodspace. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Draw two intersecting lines from corner to corner on your plywood. Drill a 3-inch hole using your hole saw where the lines intersect. This is where your router will be mounted.

2

Attach a 30-inch 2 by 4 to one side of the plywood using three 2 -inch screws so it is flat and flush with the edge. Screw another board along the opposite edge of the plywood in the same manner. These will be the front and back of the finished table's bottom.

3

Attach the last 30-inch 2 by 4 flat against the wall, parallel with the floor, with its top edge 30 inches above the floor. Use three 3-inch screws. The table top will be hinged to this board.

4

Screw two hinges to the board on the wall. The hinges should be on the 4-inch wide surface, 5 inches from each end, and able to fold up and over the top edge of the board.

5

Set the plywood with the boards attached to it on top of the board on the wall. All of the 30-inch boards should be parallel. Attach the hinges to the back 2 by 4 on the plywood. The plywood should be able to fold down, parallel to the floor in its working position, and up against the wall in its stored position. position. This is your router table top.

6

Fold the table top up and screw two hinges to the 2 by 4 on the front side of the table. They should be 5 inches from each end, on the 4-inch wide surface of the board and able to fold 180 degrees. Screw the other half-hinges to the ends of the 28 -inch boards. The boards should be parallel with the table top when it is folded up and perpendicular to the table top when they are folded down. The outside edges of these boards should be 25 inches apart. These are the legs to your table.

7

Screw the 25-inch board to the legs so it is perpendicular to the legs, 15 inches above the floor when the legs are folded down, and with the ends of the board flush with the sides of the legs. This board will provide extra support to the legs, and result in a sturdy table.

8

Fold the table up against the wall and screw an eye-hook to the top 30-inch board. It should be 15 inches from each end and on the 2-inch wide surface of the board. Screw the second eye-hook to the wall so it is 3 inches away from the other eye-hook. Tie the string to both eye-hooks to secure the table in the upright position.

9

Mount the router mount to the bottom of the table so the router bit sits right above the table surface. Remove the router before putting the table in the upright position. The bracket on most routers isn't meant to provide horiztontal support to the router.