Portable On-site router table

Instructions

This is more a demonstration of concept than a build-along project. This is the second version of a trestle mounted router table, simplified because version one included features I didn't use. Version one did give me four years of good service though and proved the value (to me) of having a table adjacent to my Miter saw. This table top can be mounted either way around, giving a router table or just a usefully large flat workspace for plans, drawings and cutting lists, not to mention marking and measuring paraphernalia. Its designed to take a cordless trim router because that's what I need most, but the concept would work for a larger router too. Brackets sturdy enough to hold large miter saws won't have a problem with even the biggest router. The underside is pocketed out to facilitate access to the router mount and dust extraction port. This is a lesson learned from version one. Cutting order: Top: T-Tracks: 12mm bit. Pocket out to depth of 13mm (incrementally). Inside cut at 13mm. Eased depth down to 13.1 and width to 31.2 to get a friction fit for the T-Track. Plate recess: 12mm bit. Pocket cut to 8mm depth. 8mm bit. Inside cut to 8mm depth. Router cut-out: 8mm bit. Inside cut to 26mm depth. Router plate mounting screw inserts: 6mm bit. Helix to 18mm (really only 10 but starting in an 8mm recess). Cut collar clearance to 9mm. Workstation mounting option: 8mm bit. helix cut to 30mm. collar clearance inside cut to 1mm deep. Under side: 12mm bit: Shaper defined rectangle cut to 15mm depth to meet router cut-out from top and provide clearance for dust extraction port. Dimensions here are arbitrary but stay more than 100mm from the front edge or the T-track screws could poke through.(Ouch!) The rounding over was done with a basic trim router and a 3mm round-over bit. The wood got two coats of water based Ronseal varnish before assembly. The splinter guard is 6mm polycarbonate salvaged from version 1. I've claimed this project's EASY because its my first project with Shaper Origin and it went off without a hitch. I'm going to add some HDPE faces to the fence to allow me to recess the cutter and have different clearances before and after the cutter to better support the workpiece. I'm also considering how best to fit a dust extraction option on the fence.