the author does like to from scratch, shaping and trimming wood from large blocks into fine finished products. kzfaq.infoUgkxD-QRFQz730FJEh4f9BYSf-nkIMIC9hL_ as another reviewer mentioned, most projects require a lot of high-dollar equipment that most of us dont have the room or budget for. But, knowing how to do these things, even if we wont be able to practice the full stack project, is still great.

This is a pretty solid little workbench. While once you figure out how it comes together, it is physically Easy to assemble kzfaq.infoUgkxyFZUPFEey-PuqsPMxqaykBhgA1LWxFHh by yourself. But the diagrams explaining the steps are really pretty bad. I could not get the handle pins in all the way despite multiple attempts, so I just used a screw I had on hand for the 2nd handle. I could not get the first pin in further or pull it back out. You are supposed to hammer it in, but I had no leverage and the handle is plastic and I did not want to risk breaking it. I will get a lot of use out of the bench because of the convenient size and height. It does fold up nicely for storage. They even explain how to fold it so you don't get pinched...that is important!

It's nice seeing someone build something like this without owning a million dollars in state of the art shop tools.

I’ve watched 100s of hours of makers doing stuff on KZfaq. This evening marks the first time I’ve seen myself represented. Flipping love it. Keep doing what you do, and we’ll all get better together.

Two recommendations. Clamp down steel when drilling to keep it from spinning if it bites. Second when making lap joints use table saw you can depth correct

Sneak up on your lap joints, don’t try to get perfect depth initially. Also, cut them completely on your drop saw as you did the initial slots, that way the chisel is just a clean up finish and less likely to go too deep. (Also, don’t hold with one hand and chisel toward your hand, one day you will bleed bad.) Put it in a vice so it’s secure and chisel across the grain. If you have the right saw blade, you won’t even need to chisel clean up.

My heart skipped a few beats at 15:41! My ol' shop teacher always reminded us "NEVER chisel towards your hand!" One fellow who kind of forgot that remark ended up in emergency getting lots of stitches. Nice build though.

I like tis channel because he's just a regular guy who builds things the way most of us weekend woodworkers do. There aren't any $3,000, $4,000 and up machines involved like so many channels show. We also got to see every step of the build. This is a definite subscribe and like channel.

Important safety note! Trim routers should travel CCW on outside edges and CW on inside edges (vice versa once installed in the table upside down). This is called a push cut. Traveling in the other direction is called a climb cut and is possible under certain conditions but more dangerous. NEVER try it with a large diameter bit or a deep depth of cut!!!

Love the video. And, consider securing your work piece. Nothing like having your drill bit get bound up and spin a sheet of steel into your... nether region.

Great vid! Love how you lay it out and speak to the novice guys like me , just playing around having fun.

you could consider installing a power surge switch on the side of the table as source for on/off power. great job on the router table saw!

I think we all learned a thing or two from this journey. Thank you for sharing your process 🙏🏽

I like the lap joint idea. I would use the table saw and cross cut sled for those. These are all nice ideas.

This video showed exactly how it is in a workshop working on a project. You misplace things, your pen don't work, etc. No script. I subscribed just for this "realness" . ❤

Nice work. Tip - While joining two wood pieces with screws, try using 'C' or 'F' clamps for tight grip and then action on joining.

Here's a tip on how to set the right height on a miter or table saw for the joints: Take a scrap piece and make the cut on one side, then flip it over and do it again. If the two cuts just exactly cut the piece in two, then it's exactly set to half the size of the piece.

That turned out pretty nice and didn't seem too terribly hard. I think you've inspired me to make my own. And a bench that incorporates my jobsite table saw.

All your videos are simple and detailed. Thanks for sharing!!

I'm doing almost exactly the same thing right now. Just about to start on building the fence. And using a hole saw for plate steel? You're a braver man than I, Gunga Din.

First, I appreciate that you didn't speed up the video. Awesome router combo you bought...one year I saw that Popular Mechanics had it ranked no.1. About the lap joints, not that I know that much, I learnt the hard way to make the cut a tad smaller than your mark and also a tad less in depth...a snug fit is so much better and you can always use the chisel to make any slight correction. I enjoyed this video! Don't underestimate the router...it too can bite! You are going to have fun with its versatility!

Nice work! My only suggestion on half-lap joints would be to offset them where the shelf is. Have the side pieces above the front and back rails, this will allow the half-laps to do their bit to reduce racking and the shelf can be just a bench hook style that sits on top of the front and back rails, this makes it easy to change or move if needed. Also, like others have said, creep up on the cuts to their fit and before chiselling out the waste, score across the depth of the cuts to prevent the chisel from chipping out.

I rough out the lap joints with the mitre saw like you, but trim them to actual depth needed with a router and a clean-out bit. Good to have a handier on/off switch

you did a very nice job. ive got respect for you showing where the lap joints might not be "perfect" i say so what it still works and you can be proud you did it. keep up the good work

I like this build! One thing they taught me in school was to chamfer the bottom of jigs and diy fences. That way if some sawdust accumulates against the fence it goes into the chamfer instead of pushing your workpiece away from the table. For people who don't brush away every piece of sawdust I find it helped

Nice job! I'm definitely considering your project to make my own Router Table. However, I would like to have a switch brought closer to the front so I wouldn't have to bend so much to cut the power on and off. I would also like to place pegs in the table for using the router for rounding. Thanks for the inspiration!

Great video. Like others said, I love the realness and relatability. Thanks for the tip about buying the step instead because it's cheaper. You've got a new subscriber and I look forward to seeing more.

Excellent. It enforces what I already know and do

Instead of using the miter saw to cut the lap joints and then using the Chisel, I have used the table saw with a crosscut jig to great effect. Once a few cuts are made you can cut the in between pieces, then you can move the work piece slowly sideways back and forth to cleanup the cut of the remaining bits of wood. It is fast and works really well for me.

I have a work bench setup similar to yours. I incorporated my router table into the bench using 1/4" plexiglass instead of the metal plate.

Great job. Router table came out looking like a pro. Keep up the good work, and thank you for sharing.

Beginner friendly video, explained everything and I loved it. Thank you so much my man

I found the best way create even consistent lap joints is to first insure all your lumber is the exact thickness, even if it means running them through the thickness planer. This is especially true with pine 2x 4's from the box stores. Then as Bill B states in the comments, "sneak up" on the cuts. I enjoyed your video.

I like your design. I'm planning on making a new router table too. I prefer to use the table saw and a crosscut sled for lap cuts. I find it alot easier to make them nice and tight and easier to set the depth

Total novice ,presently designing my first work shop @64. I loved you straight forward video and learned a lot 👏

Lucky me! I need a router table and I just happen to have a Bosch combo kit I got for Christmas last year! So I am watching this build with great interest. Thanks!

I've tried to use the depth stop on a miter saw for similar cuts. The problem is that you have a lot more leverage at the handle compared to where the depth stop sits near the pivot point for the saw. There's enough springiness in there to go a sixteenth or so deeper than where you wanted to stop with fairly light downward pressure on the saw handle. Nice router table.

I'm also a fan of lap joints. I do them on a table saw. Saves time 'cause you can clean the surface without all the chiselling. Better to cut just shy of your measurement and then creep up on it. Make sure the riving knife is the same height as the blade.

Really nice project. Thanks for sharing it. If the table isn't quite as stable as you'd like, you might stiffen the back side and possible even the back side of the sides with a couple of plywood gussets at the top. If I do this, I'd also add a dust collection port on the back of the fence.

After watching several "how to" videos on building router tables, I think this one is the easiest to follow. He was easy to understand, and his final product is very useful and can be adjusted to make tables for many other table top tools.

I recommend plugging your router in via a surge protector or something else that has a switch that you can mount to a better location on the table. Great build, thank you!

You can also use the table saw for your lap joints. You can use a stop and you won’t have to chisel.

Hi DIY-MAN, I just came across your video today 24th May 2023, and liked how you built a router table. I am thinking of getting a router myself at some point, and your table design would be a great addition to compliment the router. Thank you for showing every stage of the process. It is fairly easy to follow your instructions. In order for me to follow your video on this subject, I have subscribed to your channel for future reference. Thank you so much DIY Man.

Great work! I really enjoyed watching you build this router table. Persistence yields results. Thanks for sharing.

Lap joints, like most techniques, just take careful manipulation of stock and practice. For your fence. close to one of the ends, drill and install a pivot pin, mostly centered, and drill a hole in the table so that only one end needs a clamp, and the fence will always be parallel to the bit so you only need minor adjustments

You should try and keep the rpm’s low when drilling on metal. If you go to fast you will destroy your bits. Also, clamps would help to prevent the plate from shifting once you make that initial break through the bottom side of the plate

I cut my lap joints on my router with a 16mm straight cut bit using a fence for the length and the bit height for the depth. It fits really tight. I have to use a mallet to hit down a t-lap joint. It takes a bit of time to set up. But it works perfectly every time!

Taking time on those laps is an indicator of someone taking pride in their work going the extra mile. Besides great appearance, strength and stability . A quality finished tool for the shop. Waxing the slide and table is a little something I would personally do. then buffing just helps with the friction making things much easier to move. Great video

Just a thought, add a vacuum port to the fence. A build up of sawdust on the router table can throw off depth of cut, and excess sawdust falling directly on your router motor can severely shorten its life.

Reversing the large drill bit is often better when using it for counter-sinking. It stops tear out and it going too deep. I noticed a chunk out of your hand. You tend to put your body (hands) in front of the motion of the chisel. I noticed you have the skill for sharpening chisels well. A well sharpened chisel cuts nicely and avoids accidents. But I would prefer not to see your body in front of a chisel. I know making videos is not easy, and it's easy to rush things and take shortcuts. I'm impressed with the clean chisel work. For the stretcher supports in the middle, you asked about ideas. I would screw the stretcher just from the outside where you put two screws. I would make them long and they would go through all three pieces of wood. I liked the idea of trying to strengthen the partical board with glue. Impressed with your straight cuts on sheet metal & your metal work. Some great ideas in this build. Thanks.

Thanks, I want to buy one of those already build ones, but I need to build a table for it and you showed how to build it. You have said if I know any useful trick. If you want woods to move softly over each other you can not use oil but you can use dry hand washing soap. Use the soap like you sand paper.

The easiest way to find the center is by going from corner to corner and the intersection is the center of the plate. Since the Bosch router has four retaining screws you can use the lines and screw holes to center the circular hole in the plastic base and the steel plate. I purchased a 9 gauge square stainless steel plate from Amazon; no painting needed. My table top is two 24X48 plywood pieces sanded on all sides. These I glued together. To stiffen the table top I usually use 1X4 pine glued and screwed to the table top 3 inches in from the edges. This time I used 1X3 without any knots. Screws were counter sunk into the plywood on 4 inch centers. I filled the counter sunk holes and sanded the surface smooth. I followed the instructions for setting the plate into the top also accounting for the thickness of the Formica top. I made the hole and cut the Formica and wood for the steel plate to fit flush. I made sure to counter sink all of the holes. The holes in the steel plate were #10-1/2 inch wood screws. I used the remaining instructions except for the legs. Legs can be made from 1X4 or 1X3 by gluing and screwing an edge to the face edge of the opposing board. This forms an 'L' shape that makes an attractive and very strong leg. It also makes it very easy to install in the corner of the apron that is 3 inches in from the edges of the top. You can miter the corners or form a right angle at each corner. For this table I added a square of 2X4 in each corner with threaded inserts in the 2X4 so that I could use machine screws to attach the legs. If you want to add a shelf glue and screw some additional 2X4 squares in the leg corners to rest the plywood or glued strip board upon. Make sure you leave adequate space between the router and the shelf so you can remove the router easily.

Start shallow and sneak up on the depth of cut for the half-lap joints. Also, screws for the oak to the sides, front and back are overkill. Drilling through the frame and then mounting the top with screws from below will leave a much cleaner work surface. Finish your project! Varnish will make everything last longer and make it pretty, too!

I enjoyed your video, I like your design. Please consider getting the trip hazards off your floor, cords etc. you should clean your work area especially where the work top where you are working. An organized and clean work area will help you avoid accidents and find things easier. Someone did mention about cutting towards yourself and not clamping your work when drilling, soo clamp your stabilize your work piece to avoid slippage. You do have an enjoyable video. Don’t take safety advice harshly, we have all had an oops a time or two. Stay safe. And keep sharing your woodworking videos, thanks, stay safe.

You make it look easy. When you want to use your router without the table, how easy is it to disconnect it. I actually learned a lot watching you work, nice tip on the countersinking with the big drill bit. You are lucky to have all those machines to make it easier. thanks

Nice job, the more ideas you dream up, the more little bits of wisdom you will acquire. Keep building, and God bless!

*VERY* novice woodworker here, but my first thought on the lap joints is to use the chipped out slivers from where you originally cut them on the miter saw and cleaned up the notch with the chisel as shims. Sand them down just a tad on an angle and hammer them into the gap with wood glue. If you do go back and try it, let me know how it turns out! :)

PS. Using a dado gage makes the joint cutting very precise, and if you're going to sand the parts do it before assembly. You can clamp all the pieces together and sand them as one piece.

EXCELLENT !! I've been wanting to upgrade mine. THIS IS IT !! Thanks !!

Love it my build my table table almost the same with 1/2 " plexiglass

I've gone through a lot of hole saws trying to drill metal at drill speed. I found that slowing way down will cut better and faster and save the bit.

Really enjoyed this, thank you. It was great to see a DIY project under more realistic circumstances, other than a perfect shop with tens of thousands of dollars in kit. But, please be careful with your H&S! I was getting really worried in some parts watching you use a chisel towards your hand on an unsecured surface. And, even if you don’t have dust extraction (like many of us don’t) please use a mask. I’d hate for you to get injured. 👍

I do like the way the fence locks , nice job DIY for all.

Your building a shop tool. It does not have to be perfect, just functional. Also Bill B's recommendations are spot on. Great project. Good Job.

Might have been easier to get depth by using a miter guide and your table saw. Then you could set the fence for maximum cut width, and simply cut both ends of the center cuts, and the same with the end cuts. Depth would have been easier to set also. Might have been easier to clean out the miters afterwards also.

When you were marking your lines for your plate you can use a combination square to mark that inner line instead of using a measuring tape.It's far more accurate and sometimes saves time.I have over 20yrs of welding experience and I learned this trick from a fitter welder.

Loud n clear , thank you for sharing , i will definitely do the one from yrs tutorial 👍🏼👍🏼

lap joints are easier with a dado blade stack, you can get them super tight and there isn't any chisel work another good tip if you are using your miter saw to do them though. Make sure to slide the blade in and out, so the valley of the cut is straight instead of an arc. This will help your lap joints more repeatable.

You always want to cut your table deeper than the plate. Having the plate lower, then put set screws along the shoulder to set the plate flush. This is more precise and when you lift the plate and dust falls on the shoulder, it won't hinder your setting. You Never want either side sitting proud. They need to both be flush.

If you keep your bench clean it will make easier to keep all joints flush and parallel also decreases the chance of getting sawdust/chips in joint. You can make lap joints using table saw, just make a pass each direction after setting depth.

The wood glue in the cracks is a nice touch. looks like a great little router table. I only wish he added a suction hole to attach a dust collector/shop vac.

Thanks for the effort, looks a fun build which I'll be doing soon too. My 2c... Doing the recess for the screws with the big drill bits comes out cleaners if running drill in reverse. Lap joints beat me last time I did and the learning was stable accurate cuts and sneak up on the final depth. You can always cut more out but it's hella hard shimming it back up 😁

On your lap joints ... If you space off the fence with a wood spacer ...orient the dead center of your sawblade to pass through entire width of the piece you are lapping. Using the slide function of your miter saw. you wont have to chisel out so much giving a cleaner smoother lap joint. This of course using the depth stop on your saw at whatever depth lap you are doing. minor chisel work and fine file and sandpaper gives a great joint. BTW always chisel away from yourself with the work clamped. all in MHO. great job

Lol I found this exact same bosch router set in the trash, works perfectly... people throw away the greatest stuff. Now i'm going to build a table for it, thanks! The vertical toggle clamp looks like a great solution for the fence.

Thanks so much, even the cheap ones sell for 120 and over time with use with break . Great job I'm following suit as well and making it 👍

i love that you have shown the imperfections of your build. too many videos make the average guy feel they are no good at woodwork Kudos to you........ keep it up.!

Thanks so much for sharing!!

Great video from a great teacher! Thanks.

Thanks for sharing this build, great work 😊

Excellent

Thanks! Very helpful!

Nice and simple. I will try this one. Thank you for the video.

A radial arm saw with dado blades does a nice job for lap joints. You can also cut them on your table saw with dado blades.

Thanks for sharing those tips and the make!

Very nice job - some great ideas I plan to use when I build my router table. Thanks. "He did it with all his heart and prospered."

Cut your lap joints on the table saw and they'll come out much better in my experience. Don't measure, cut to fit, then repeat for all the joints. "2x4's" aren't anymore, and the actual size varies depending on where they come from. You found the straightest, best looking studs I've seen in 5 years!

the triton has it's own builtin lift and can come of the table and be a fix or a plunge router a flip of lever. Check it out you will love it, also you will only need obe wrench to change its, self locking collet and self capture collet also, soft startand 6 foot power cord.

This video was helpful. Im a chef. I have the same drill and some form of every tool you used. Im trying to avoid buying trim for the kitchen but instead make it. I didnt want a how to with drawers cabinets and extra stuff. When you ran the test piece I realized the bells and whistles arent necessary. Thanks for sharing this!!

For lap joins, you can use the table saw and two passes for the end sides. For in between, you'd do mutliple passes just like the miter though.

Enjoyed that, thanks. I too like to see someone making cool stuff to save money. That's a solid router table. Well done.

I have partially built one that will collapse into 3 1/2" deep so I can hang it on the wall when not in use I have been stuck on the router insert material. I think I will try your plate steel for the router inset. The fence will swing instead of slide.

Well done mate great job 👍

this is pretty cool. thx for uploading

Nice job 👍

I love the simplicity of your design. I'm going to see if I can duplicate it. I've priced online and they are way too pricey or very flimsy made. Thanks.

Nice, going to be adding some of your ideas to my router table as my router kind of like yours

Great job and good luck with the new router table!

Job well done 👍.

I like to do my lap joints on the table saw with my sled set up and either a flat blade or with my dado stack

This guy is a pro.